I'm sure you have seen this message posted  before ...

"I don't know where, or to whom, I should ask. Although I have very little information to offer, being a member of this newsgroup (or forum) has not helped me much" 

          Can someone please help me?"

Many times, as I have read the thousands and thousands of on-line postings these past years -- (written almost exactly in the same words -- to the many newsgroups I subscribe to) --  I would find a repetitious plea from fellow genealogist exclaiming that they had "hit  a wall"... or just didn't know where to turn next in their search for their Jewish roots. 

Today there are so many 'Newbies', -- their questions and needs also have to be addressed and answered. Some of you have been around as long as I have and you get tired of seeing the same questions pop up time after time. This wastes precious time and it is frustrating to see a moderator's message pop up and say "search our archives for the answer". 

Now, you don't have to go anywhere but to my site for links and answers. This is a better and easier way to do your family research. Great, isn't it?

The forums will always be there for you to ask unanswered questions - but check my site first. The answer may have already been posted - and you should be able to find it e-a-s-i-e-r  on my site.

On my individual country sites, you'll find locations and district maps for most of the Jewish shtetls and cities of East European countries --- categorized by country. Some countries, because there is so little information discovered, are combined with a neighboring country i.e. Malta is on the Italy- Greece page. See my "How To Use" page for an index of those 'combined' countries.

Jewish Web Index covers the largest part of Eastern Europe; Britain, Scotland, Ireland, France, Belgium, Denmark, Germany, Netherlands, Hungary, Czech, Monrovia, Bulgaria, Austria, South Africa, South America, Australia, the Orient and other countries that were once home to Jews. 

And you will also find informational sites dealing with Languages, Names, Books, Yiddish Dictionary, Sephardic and Holocaust sites, etc., as well. There is intentional overlapping so be sure to visit all of the categories at your own pace.

I would suggest you start with my Click Here > "How To Use" page first then look around the pages of interest to you. Anytime you see an underlined word, consider that by clicking on it, you will be taken to that particular page i-n-s-t-a-n-t-l-y

Some of the map sites displayed will take you back to the 16th Century. On some, if you wish a larger version, just click on the map. And if you want to locate a specific shtetl, just type in the name of the shtetl you are researching in the "Search Box" located on most pages and the chances are good that you will get a return (a hit!) that will be more than what you expected --- including fairly detailed listings --- and specific maps of other nearby towns within the district. My site pages offer more than just one map resource. There are several sites in most cases giving you choices. And you can be sure, that if more sites are discovered (and they will in due time) --- they will be added. 

Want to know about people who lived in Minneapolis in 1931? Easy! Just go over to the "U.S. Census" page and you are a click- away from many of the 50 US State governmental sites containing this, and other important information, about your family. All 50 states are represented by various web sites via my links. 

And what about other countries around this world? 

Don't ask! Just look!

You will be surprised with the breadth and depth available on the WWW (World Wide Web) through Jewish Web Index -- I didn't forget you.

How about Yiddish translated to English and vice-versus? Or German, French, Spanish, Ukraine, Russian? All of these languages, and many more, can be translated easily by visiting the numerous language translating sites that are already book marked. Help is just a click-away. You have no idea how in-depth and how diversified these clearly identified sites offer, until you try it out yourself.

Most of the web sites listed on the following web pages, offer to help at no charge, but there are some that have placed a monetary value for their services. Only you can make the decision as to whether it is worth your investing in their services. I make no endorsements whatsoever. All I do is offer them as bookmarks --- then you make your own decision. 

If nothing else, I would appreciate an e-mail that tells me what you found good about my web site ... and what you found of little or no value ... or what you feel could stand improvement. More importantly --- what you would like to have added or changed.  

Email: Jwebindex@gmail.com

I would like to acknowledge the many e-mails I have received since I launched this site, but one in particular stands out and epitomizes all of the rest. It is from Jennie Dal Busco, Director of Research & Analysis (and Jeeviant Prototype) Ask Jeeves, Inc. 

Jennie wrote: "Thank you for such a wonderful, easily-navigated, fantastic website on Jewish genealogy! You are both an inspiration, and a great resource!" 

Thanks Jennie, and thank you for your time to read this page. It is most appreciated. I know, that if you have come to this point, you are sincerely interested --- and that makes me happy. Really happy,. O.K. --- very pleased! 

I sincerely hope that you find more about your family tree through my past and future efforts. That's so important for our future generations. And please remember the energy that went into this site to make it easier for you and to make your wishes come true and patronize, if you can, the advertisers that make it possible.* Your encouragement and support is truly most appreciated.

Shalom Chaver 
(Goodbye Friend)

Warm Regards,

 Ted Margulis  (Tuvia)
Enjoying retirement in Palm Desert, California