NY State proposal would limit vital records access
The FY2026 New York State budget proposes to severely limit access to historical New York State vital records and to greatly increase the cost of the records that remain available. The proposal would: 1) decrease the number of years of birth, marriage and death records that are available to genealogists -- genealogy copies would not be available until 125 years after birth, 100 years after marriage and 75 years after death; and 2) raise fees for uncertified genealogy copies from $22 to $95. This would affect all records in New York State other than New York City, which is a separate vital records jurisdiction.
New epitaphs database online for Lviv recovered headstones
Jewishstonesusa.org is a special collection of 'recovered' grave markers that had been stolen from Lviv Jewish cemeteries during the German occupation of WWII and repurposed, usually as building materials for the occupying forces. Most in this collection were recovered from under a street southwest of the city center in 2018 by volunteers, by hand and with machinery, but others were recovered from nearby locations and elsewhere in the city in a number of smaller efforts between 2017 and 2021.
IGRA releases new databases
The Israel Genealogy Research Association (IGRA) recently added five completely new databases and updated three others previously released. Including Holocaust survivors, various stages of the evacuees’ travels, marriages and divorces, and voter lists, Read about the new and updated databases here.
Wiener Holocaust Library offers newly digitized collections
This new platform launched on Feb. 5, Holocaust Memorial Day, provides free access to crucial documents, photos, transcripts, and testimonies that have been digitised over the past three years. These materials include the Jewish Central Information Office’s reports on the growth of antisemitism in Europe in the 1930s, as well as documents donated to the library by the Nuremberg war crimes trial authorities in return for the support the Library gave to prosecutors. Numerous photographic collections, for example photographs of Łódź ghetto, For more information, click here.
IAJGS Launches 2025 Conference Website
As you'll hear more about at our February meeting when Scott Mandel reviews the 2024 conference of the International Association of Jewish Genealogical Societies (IAJGS) (see more here) and a preview of the 2025 conference in Fort Wayne, the IAJGS has launched its website for the conference.
On the site you'll find info about the conference, Fort Wayne, the Allen County Public Library Genealogy Center, one of the largest family history research centers in the world, and a call for proposals for presentations. Today -- Feb. 6 -- is the deadline for proposals.
Reclaim the Records creates database of veterans' records
Reclaim the Records won access to a once-inaccessible database, the Beneficiary Identification Records Locator Subsystem (BIRLS), which includes people who served in the US military and received veterans' benefits in the twentieth century. The organizaiton created its own search engine that gives basic information and an automated way to file a Freedom of Information Act request for the records. Read more here. Start your search here.
Registration still open for 2025 RootsTech Conference
From FamilySearch: Every year, FamilySearch hosts RootsTech—an in-person and online family history conference. RootsTech is scheduled for March 6–8, 2025.
RootsTech is a great place to:
-
Learn how to discover stories about your ancestors
-
Grow your family tree
-
Hear inspiring talks about the power of family history connection
Online registration is free and includes 200+ new online sessions in over 26 languages. Join keynote sessions live from the comfort of your own home. Chat online with other attendees worldwide
In person:
Salt Lake City
$129 US 3-Day Pass
$79 US 1-Day Pass
250+ exclusive sessions only available in SLC; 120+ exhibitors/sponsors in the Expo Hall
Register here