Headstone inscriptions provide one of the most important tools for those researching their Jewish genealogical history, patronymic naming. This presentation will familiarize the attendees with the evolution of family surnames and the practice of patronymic naming. Recognizing the components of patronymic naming, participants will learn how to take advantage of these clues to link their family through generations. I will go through an actual case study using headstone inscriptions and will show participants online resources to help find headstone information worldwide. The next part of the presentation will show examples of headstones and what you’ll find if you take a trip to the cemetery. I’ll explain the meaning of symbols that you will find on stones. Even if you can’t read Hebrew, I will explain how you can understand the inscriptions. I will also show many examples of inscription trends, some odd inscriptions, and errors in inscriptions…even well-known ones. With a presentation on cemetery records, you wouldn’t expect to leave laughing, but I guaranty you will.

Nolan Altman was bit by the “genealogy bug” when he was inspired to write his family history in 1996 in memory of his mother. He has presented his “How to Document and Research Your Family History” seminar to university Holocaust history classes and numerous adult and continuing education classes. He has also made presentations and conducted computer workshops at numerous IAJGS Conferences on Jewish Genealogy worldwide. He has had genealogical articles published in Avotaynu, Dorot, Stammbaum, Shemot and the FEEFHS Journal. Mr. Altman also coordinates JewishGen.org's JOWBR, Holocaust, and Memorial Plaques Databases. He was a past president and treasurer and current Board member of the JGS of Long Island and member of the JGS of New York. In 2021, Mr Altman was awarded the IAJGS Lifetime Achievement award for his continuing efforts to promote, volunteer and advocate for Jewish genealogical research. He resides in Oceanside, New York.

Register for the meeting at: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZ0lf-ugpjsjE9y_sQui26rqdImksnv3rd5t