People

The Buffalo region has been home to a wide range of individuals associated with local Jewish communities and Jewish networks from the 1820s through to the contemporary period as immigrants, citizens, residents and locals.

Institutions

Buffalo Jews have a rich history of forming both formal and informal institutions for religious, educational, political and social needs. From synagogues to organizations, and from coordinating agencies to groups and clubs, Jewish Buffalonians have seen a changing range of institutions supported by group endeavors and community philanthropy.

Neighborhoods

In living memory, the East Side and North Buffalo stand out as physically connected and interwoven religious and commercial centers of Jewish living. In contrast to these specific areas are the mini hubs identified with Jewish living and connected to a more dispersed idea of neighborhood. Separately, suburbia with its significant geographic spread, has redefined how a series of Jewish spaces come together with a mix of hubs, focal points and networks.

Themes

Some nice intro blah blah

Exhibitions

Special exhibitions, through a focus on particular individuals and subjects, delves into the personal stories that have animated Jewish lives. Each digital exploration reflects on the interplay between place, identities and changing times and the way in which American, Jewish and Buffalo historical experiences are deeply interwoven.

Resources

Materials that document Jewish Buffalo in all its diversity are found in books, articles, archives and museums, many of which are available locally or online. This section highlights some of these sources and will be updated regularly.

Online Genealogy Resources Links

The JBHC does not provide individualized genealogical research, but offers these online links to resources to help you locate information and guidance you might need. The world of genealogy is increasingly complex with terminology, technology and database sources constantly evolving. Not everything is online however, and there are many sources where you will still have to visit a library or museum. Below are local, state and other general resources listings, societies, abbreviation guides, database engines, and more. Some of the websites and organizations listed below offer fee-based database subscription services, that may also be free with a public library card. The JBHC does not endorse the services of any organization, nor can we recommend any individual who works within these organizations or groups. These links were assembled in 2020, but they may change over time. If you discover a broken link from this site, please let us know with our Correction Form.

It can feel overwhelming when you are beginning on your family history journey. Joining a genealogy group can be a first step to help guide your research. There are several organizations in Western New York dedicated to genealogy, including the Jewish Genealogical Society of Buffalo. This group was  founded in 1986 by Ferne Mittleman and Muriel Selling with the purpose of enabling Jewish genealogical research locally. It continues as an educational society that aids members to find resources for their research goals through a combination of classes, presentations by specialists, information about new resources and mutual aid. Other genealogical societies are also listed below. If you need personal assistance with genealogical research, there is the option of hiring a local researcher for a fee through a listing maintained by the Buffalo History Museum or through a professional genealogy association. Click here for the Association of Professional Genealogists or here for information about genealogy and certification.

If you have other suggested sites that we might link to, they can be submitted through our Suggestion Form.

 

GENEALOGY ABBREVIATIONS

RESOURCES IN WNY AND ONLINE

LOCAL LIBRARIES AND MUSEUMS AND RELATED ORGANIZATIONS

CEMETERY, OBITUARY AND FUNERAL RELATED RESOURCES

NEW YORK STATE BASED GENEALOGY RESOURCES

SAMPLING OF GOVERNMENT SITES

USEFUL GENERAL SITES (FREE AND PAID)