Be Sure to Visit my new 1900 Galveston Storm Website at: http://freepages.genealogy.rootseb.com/~barnette 

JEWS ARRIVED IN NEW YORK   IN 1654

 Arriving in the 1630's and 1640's from Poland, Hungary, Germany, Turkey and particularly Holland Jews established a thriving Jewish community in Brazil. When the Portuguese retook Brazil from the Dutch in the 1650's Jews, fearing a reoccurrence of the inquisitions, departed for other points on the globe, particularly Holland. In September 1654, however, twenty-three Jews from Recife, Brazil arrived in New Amsterdam, the city we now call New York City.

 The group comprising the twenty three Jews from Recife consisted of four men, six women and thirteen children. Among them were Abraham Israel (de Piza or Dias), David Israel (Faro), Assar Leeven (Asser Levy), Moses Ambrosius (Lumbrusco), Judiq de Merceda (Judith Mercado) and Ricke Nunes. Having arrived earlier in the year from Holland were two fellow Jews, Jacob Barsimson and Solomon Pietersen,  who were shareholders in the Dutch West India Company.

 In 1655 the Jews of New Amsterdam established Shearith Israel, the first Jewish congregation in what was to be come the United States. By the end of the colonial era there were Jewish congregations in New York; Newport, Rhode Island; Philadelphia and Lancaster, Pennsylvania; Richmond, Virginia; Charleston, South Carolina; and Savannah, Georgia.

JEWISH RESEARCH ON THE WEB

 Two of the most productive websites on the World Wide Web for Jewish genealogical research are Jewish Gen at http://www.jewishgen.org and Avotaynu at http://avotaynu.com . Other websites of interest to Jewish researchers may be reached by links from these websites.

 The two websites named above contain databases, discussion groups and other helpful aids to conducting Jewish genealogical research in America, Israel, Eastern Europe and other parts of the world.

ANTHRAX PROBLEMS AT NATIONAL ARCHIVES

 The National Archives announced this week that mail delivery to Archives I, located at 700 Pennsylvania Ave, NW, Washington, DC, was stopped on October 23rd due to the discovery of anthrax at the Brentwood mail distribution center.
 Since that time Archives I was swept for anthrax contamination and no Anthrax was found. The mailroom, however, has not reopened and until it does, no completed orders will be mailed to customers. These orders include all of the NATF 81 through 86 requests (Passenger Arrival, Census, Eastern Cherokee Applications, Land Records, Pension Applications, and Military Service Records).

 Orders that were in the Brentwood mail distribution center at the time the center was closed and other orders addressed to Archives I immediately after the closure will be delayed.

 Orders addressed to Archives II in College Park, Maryland, which is  serviced by a different mail distribution center, was not affected by the closing of the Brentwood mail distribution center.

 For the latest information on the National Archives mail room closings visit the message board on the National Archives website at http://www.nara.gov/research/mailalert.html

 NEWS FROM THE BOOKSHELF

 Many Jews are under the misconception that they are unable, for one  reason or another, to trace their family history. Barbara Krasner-Khait's new book, Discovering Your Jewish Ancestry, puts that notion to rest.

 Discovering Your Jewish Ancestry is a guide showing the Jewish researcher how to research their family in America, Eastern Europe, Israel or anywhere else in the world.  To the surprise of most researchers there are records of many Jews in town records even when the town or official town records no longer exist. There are records, as well, of the Jews who were killed in the Holocaust.

 According to Krasner-Khait Jews are a part of a world wide family with no single place of origin in recent history. In her chapter on Jewish history she explains the story of the Jewish Diaspora when the Jews were expelled from the Israelite Kingdoms about 586 BCE (Before Common Era). They were dispersed to Mesopotamia and other places, such as, Egypt, North Africa and Babylonia.

 Throughout history and wherever they traveled or lived Jews maintained their linguistic identity and religious beliefs and practices.

 Discovering Your Jewish Ancestry explains the myriad of publications, archives, institutions and Internet websites where researchers may locate information on long dead ancestors.

 The book promotes genetics, medical pedigrees and DNA testing as one way to discover one's present and future medical health and connect with others descended from common ancestors.

 Discovering Your Jewish Ancestry is available for $24.95, softcover, and $49.95, hardcover, from Heritage Quest, by calling 1-800-760-2455 or online at http://www.HeritageQuest.com .