Clay in My Boots: A Romp Through My Genealogical Past

After my 2nd full day at the International Association of Jewish Genealogical Societies (IAJGS), I’m thinking back on all the sessions I attended and the people I’ve met. Bloggers It’s fun sitting at a meal or in the meeting spaces sharing trips we took to Eastern Europe, last year and comparing notes on what we saw, experienced, and the emotions we felt. We talk about plans to engage in cemetery cleanup, erecting / replacing monuments at killing fields, and going back with other family members. We also get an opportunity to share pictures of the places we visited and compare notes on tour guides we used and stories we heard. It a great opportunity to relive these important moments. Shared Jewish Landmark in  Siauliai (shall-ay) Status of Cemeteries Cemetery Cleanup Sessions of note include Lara Diamond’s talk on endogamy https://larasgenealogy.blogspot.com/2017/03/endogamy-in-practice-updated.html?m=1 ;  Amy Wach’s talk on migration patterns; Janette Silverman’s talk on con

Volynia Dinner - Wednesday 31st 6:30pm Bold Food & Drink 1121 W 10th St, Cleveland, OH 44113 New American Cuisine  Lots of vegetarian options if required. After dinner, 1 block to water front .. bars, games,  water taxi, and more. A short walk (less then to RR Hall of Fame) from Hilton.  Head opposite direction on Lakeside, towards river stay on left side of road. Right on 9th St under the Freeway Immediate left on Main On corner of Main and 10th before transit tracks. Text or call me with RSVP ... late additions OK 240-821-7195 Michael Snyder  

In 2018, when I did my tour of Ukraine and Lithuania following the IAJGS conference. I toured Ukraine and Lithuania to visit ~19 sites were I had ancestors. Sites excluded because of brick-walls were birthplaces of my Paternal Grandmother's family and my Mother's Maternal Grandfather's family. Although we visited 30 places I kept a blog focusing on ancestral sites with a very few exceptions. This blog became a ppt presentation. One of the few exception sites included was the refurbished Synagogue in Pakruojis Lithuania because of its beauty and workmanship. Three months later through an Ancestry inquiry and DNA confirmation I discovered that my Grandmother's older sister was married in that Synagogue ... smashing that brick wall and bringing new meaning to prominent photos from my travels.