Learn about the growth of the Jewish population in Russia

Join the Jewish Genealogical Society of Greater Orlando (JGSGO) for a program featuring genealogist lecturer, Joel Spector, who’s topic is “The Growth of the Jewish Population in Russia through the 1897 All-Russia Census.” The meeting takes place Tuesday, Oct. 7, from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. (6:30pm to meet with a maven or for computer questions or to schmooze.), at the Roth JCC Maitland Campus, Senior Lounge, 851 N. Maitland Ave., Maitland, FL 32751.

This presentation will incorporate material from both English and Russian language sources to describe patterns of Jewish population growth in Russia, beginning with early historical data. It will then trace the creation and changing designations of the Russian gubernias, and will incorporate early population data from Russian revision lists (revisie skazki). There will be some discussion of Russian laws affecting Jews in the Pale of Jewish Settlement and the legal restrictions on Jewish movement there. Acquisition of Jewish population data from the 1897 All-Russia Census for the Pale and for all of Russia will be described.

Spector has been actively engaged in genealogy for over 30 years, and has been conducting research in several historic Russian language encyclopedias. He has produced a unique English language Index to the Russian language Evreiskaya Entsiklopedia. Spector is a past president of the Jewish Genealogical Society of Greater Philadelphia, where he has also been chairperson of its Russian Special Interest Group. He has given presentations and workshops on the Russian language, both contemporary and pre-Revolutionary, and has provided translations of documents to individuals and groups. Spector is a former secretary of the International Association of Jewish Genealogical Societies (IAJGS), the umbrella organization for over 70 Jewish Genealogical Societies, and now serves as its Archivist.

The event is open to the public, and the cost is $5 for nonmembers, free for members.

For more information visit our blog at http://www.jgsgo.blogspot.com , “like” us at http://www.facebook.com/jgsgreaterorlando or call us at 407-494-4230.