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Orange County Jewish Genealogical Society
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Yitzhak Berchunsky
​ca 1880
Welcome to the Orange County Jewish Genealogical Society!  The OCJGS is your resource in Orange County, California, for all things related to finding your Jewish roots.

Whether you're a beginner or a seasoned expert, you will find our monthly meetings stimulating and informative. In addition to meetings, hands-on workshops, and special events, members also have access to an excellent library of books and magazines pertinent to Jewish genealogy.
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The Orange County Jewish Genealogical Society is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. We are a member of the International Association of Jewish Genealogical Societies.

​Remember the Days of Old; Ask your father and he will tell you, your elders and they will explain to you. (Deut. 32:7)
זכר ימות עולם בינו שנות דור ודור שאל אביך ויגדך זקניך ויאמרו לך פרשת האזינו

Renew or Join Today

Join today and get the rest of 2024 for free!
​Membership runs through the end of 2025.
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Calendar of Events

World-Class Speakers!

We have a lineup of truly world class speakers coming to you wherever in the world you are, from wherever in the world they are.
We normally meet the 4th Sunday of each month.

Virtual meetings are via Zoom. You must register in advance by clicking the link for the meeting you want to attend. Registration only takes a few seconds.
Attendance at virtual meetings is free to OCJGS members. If you are not a member, please consider joining. Otherwise, the charge for non-members is $5. Please visit the Membership page to join or pay your $5 fee.


June 22 at 10:00 am (Pacific time zone)
Robin Meltzer
How Not to Read a Jewish Tombstone.
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Jewish tombstones are an invaluable source of genealogic information. Tombstone inscriptions can provide the deceased's Jewish religious ("Hebrew") name(s), original or alternate versions of family surnames, maiden surnames, the names of the deceased’s parents, his or her place of birth, age, profession, rabbinic lineage, community activities, even the names of living family members. But there are common problems that make it difficult for researchers to accurately translate and interpret Jewish tombstone inscriptions.

Using examples from Jewish tombstones, the presentation will focus on building skills in understanding an inscription's context, determining the accuracy of the information presented, Jewish naming conventions, recognizing Kohain and Levite status and symbols, identifying rabbinic status, interpreting honorifics, and understanding Hebrew calendar dates and abbreviations. The presentation will also suggest best practices for on-site cemetery visits and tombstone photography.


An attorney and genealogist, Robin Meltzer assists families in obtaining legal records, discovering nontraditional information sources, and interpreting documentary evidence. Robin is an administrator of “Tracing the Tribe: Jewish Genealogy on Facebook,” co-founder of the Jewish Community of the 15th Ward, Syracuse New York Facebook group, Associate Producer of the documentary films “Stories from the Syracuse Jewish Community” and “People and Places of the Syracuse Jewish Community,” and a former vice-president of the Jewish Genealogy Society of Greater Washington (JGSGW). She lectures on topics in Jewish genealogy and research methodology and has appeared on the cable television program “Tracing Your Family Roots.”  Robin has written articles on Jewish genealogy and local history appearing in several publications, including Avotaynu, Mishpacha, The Galitzianer, and the Jewish Observer of Central New York.

Register in advance for this Zoom presentation. Click this link to register.

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But wait, there's more...
Mark your calendars for these upcoming speakers:

July 27: Marlis Humphrey
What’s New at the L’Dor V’Dor Foundation

Click this link to register.

August 24: Daniel Horowitz
Title: TBD
Click this link to register.

September 28: Zachary Mazur
Rabbis, Innkeepers, And Tricksters: Jewish life in Poland & Lithuania

Click this link to register.

October 26: Jerry Rishe
US immigration law as it affected Jewish Immigration

Click this link to register.

November 23: Ellie Vance
Reading Metrical Records from the Russian Empire
Click this link to register.

December 28: Susan Rosin
J
ewishGen Yizkor Book project
Click this link to register.
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Services offered by our members

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Mentoring by Shmuel Fisher
Our long-time resident mentor is happy to provide one-on-one general assistance to beginners and more advanced help for Polish research.
Contact: ​[email protected]

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Orange County Genetic Genealogy
Full range of services to help you with DNA and genealogical research.
Contact us at: www.theOCGG.com

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Infinite Possibilities
West Coast Genealogy

Basic and comprehensive genealogical services at very affordable prices. We also specialize in Jewish Genealogy. Contact us for a free consultation to learn more:
[email protected]

Are you a member of OCJGS offering a genealogical service? Contact us for your FREE listing.
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