Where Genealogy and Spirit Connect, September 1, 2009
On, Where Genealogy and Spirit Connect
on BBS Radio
September 1, 2009
Alexander and Susan will be discussing the etymology and geographic distribution of surnames in the Slavic countries. Those embarking on their research with family from the Slavic areas are often stymied. Upon immigration to the US, for example, names were written phonetically which in many cases do not even begin to resemble the actual name. Hence, finding family on passenger lists or in records overseas is next to impossible. So what was your family name, where did they come from?
This show will be quite different in our approach. Instead of of taking live calls, we are asking our listeners to post their questions in advance and they will be answered in the order they are received. Alexander will be answering them live during the show. Please provide adequate information on the surname with any known information. Based on the number of requests received prior to the show, we may also open up the BBSRadio Fast Chat for questions as well during the show.
Alexander Beider was born in Moscow in 1963. He studied theoretical physics and mathematics in Moscow Physico-Technical Institute from which he received a PhD in applied mathematics (1989). Shortly after starting his post-graduate work, he became interested in etymology and geographic distribution of Jewish surnames. He has written a number of books dealing with surnames in Slavic countries, all published by Avotaynu Inc. They include: A Dictionary of Jewish Surnames from the Russian Empire (1993, 2nd revised edition in 2008), Jewish Surnames in Prague (15th-18th centuries) (1995), A Dictionary of Jewish Surnames from the Kingdom of Poland (1996) [Best Judaica Reference Book award for 1996], A Dictionary of Jewish Surnames from Galicia (2004). His books A Dictionary of Ashkenazic Given Names (2001) and Handbook of Ashkenazic Given Names and Their Variants (2009) cover the domain of traditional Yiddish first names. His papers on Jewish onomastics, methodological principles of search of etymologies of surnames, and the history of Yiddish were published by scholarly reviews in US, France, Israel, Poland, and Russia. In 2000, he received his second PhD, this time in the domain of Jewish studies, from Sorbonne. Since 1990, Beider lives with his family in Paris, France.
Where Genealogy and Spirit Connect
Susan is a Genealogy columnist with The Examiner. As the Genealogy Examiner, Susans column covers cover the gamut of genealogical topics with a rare twist. Through this column Susan will be building a deeper understanding of the spiritual journey of finding our ancestors and finding ourselves. Through a deeper understanding of our history and the history of others will we be.
We live in both very exciting times and very troubling times. But we live in a time where we really do have an opportunity to change; change how we think and feel about ourselves; change how we think and feel about others. We have an opportunity to teach the next generations the importance of preservation, the importance of respect, and the importance of tolerance. There is no better modality than through the study and sharing of our genealogies, our research and through our feelings.
In this light, Susan has launched a new social network, Susaneking.com, the place Where genealogy and spirit connect. This site is designed to assist others to embark on their own personal journey tofind your family, find yourself. Susan will be providing start-up consulting, ongoing monitoring and collaborative services as requested and special services.
