HGR FAQ

1. What is the Holocaust Global Registry?
   1. What does it contain?
   2. Who should use the Holocaust Global Registry?
   3. Who are survivors?
   4. Can I use the database if I am not a survivor, but am looking for a survivor?
   5. Can I add a record for members of my family who did NOT survive the Holocaust?
   6. Where does the data come from?
   7. Where is the Holocaust Global Registry available?
   8. In my country, on-line costs are expensive, but I want to use the Registry. What can I do?
   9. How often is the Holocaust Global Registry updated?
   10. How do I know I am seeing the most current version of the Registry?
   11. What does this cost?
   12. Are there any other resources available for searching Holocaust Survivors?
   13. Disclaimer
   
   
2. How do I search for someone?
   1. When I enter names in the search box on the Main Page, does that search ALL the records in the Registry?
   2. What words can I use to search?
   3. How can I see if anyone from my town is listed in the Registry?
   4. Can I search using any numbers, such as a birthdate, even if I don't know the complete date?
   5. Can I search for someone using any first or last name?
   6. I did a search, and "hits" came up. What are "hits"?
   7. My search yielded no matches ("no hits") - what do I do now?
   8. I did a search, and "hits" came up saying "1 of 25 to 30 hits" - what does that mean?
   9. I searched for the name "Rosen", but records came up for people with other names. Why?
   10. How can I narrow my search?
   
   
3. What are the A to Z filters listed on the Main Page?


4. What is the "Browse database" area for?
1. What does "List new entries" mean?
2. What does "List all survivor records" mean?
3. What does "List all looking for records" mean?
4. What does "List all survivor, searching identity records" mean?
5. I clicked on a browse category, and when the records came up it said "1 of 25 to 100 hits" - what does that mean?


5. How do I add a record to the database?
1. I am a survivor "searching my identity". What if I do not know my "last name" or "first name"?
2. If I don't know what to fill in, do I just put a question mark (?) on the record form?
3. How many records am I allowed to add to the Registry?
4. I have entered a record - now how do I view my record?


6. How do I modify (change) my record?
   1. I've moved, how do I change my address?
   2. I have a new "email" address, how do I update my record?
   3. There are mistakes on my entries - how do I correct them?
   
   
7. How do I delete a record?


8. How do I contact someone listed in the Registry?


9. What do I do if I have a problem?

1. What is the Holocaust Global Registry?

The Holocaust Global Registry is an interactive database where you can search or add records.  It provides a central place where anyone may search for family or friends, where all survivors may add a record for themselves, and where others can add the names of those they are searching.  This database was created for the sole purpose of helping Holocaust survivors reunite with their loved ones.

1.1. What does it contain?

The Holocaust Global Registry contains records of people:

1. "survivors" (which are added by the survivors themselves).
2. "survivors searching their identity" (which are added by the survivors).
3. "looking for" (these names are added by people who are searching for family and friends who may have survived).

1.2. Who should use the Holocaust Global Registry?

The database is for anyone who is searching for family or friends who may have survived Holocaust (whether you are a survivor who is searching, or someone else is searching to find you). It is also for survivors who are searching for their identitfy.

1.3. Who are survivors?

1. All people who were persecuted during the years of Nazi terror in Europe (1933-1945), and managed to survive by whatever means possible.

2. All who suffered persecution because they were Jewish, and all who were labelled as Jews by those in power at that time.

3. All adults and all children, including those who were hidden, or were adopted by concerned and righteous families.

4. All those who were forced to leave their homes to escape persecution, and found safe haven elsewhere.

The Holocaust Global Registry is not meant to include records for second and third generation descendants of survivors, unless the descendants are "looking for" survivors.

1.4. Can I use the database if I am NOT a survivor, but am looking for a survivor?

Yes.

You can search for survivors and you can also add records for those whom you are searching.

1.5. Can I add a record for members of my family who did NOT survive the Holocaust?

No.

The Holocaust Global Registry is not meant for listing victims. Its purpose is to help reunite living survivors with loved ones.

If members of your family did not survive the Holocaust, please contact Yad Vashem - The Hall of Names and request they send you a "Page of Testimony". You should fill out one Page for each member of your family who did not survive. Filling out a Page of Testimony is one way to tell the rest of the world that these people once lived, and it is also a way to keep their memory alive.

You may request Pages of Testimony via e-mail (please include your full mailing address, and the number of Pages you require. Send to: names@yad-vashem.org.il.

You may also send your request via regular mail to:

Hall of Names
Yad-Vashem
P.O. Box 3477
Jerusalem, Israel 91034

1.6. Where does the data come from?

The data in the Holocaust Global registry comes from you, the participants. All the names are either submitted by the survivors themselves, or by people who are "looking for" survivors. The names are not collected from any other source.

1.7. Where is the Holocaust Global Registry available?

Access to the Holocaust Global Registry is available on the web at the JewishGen web site: http://www.jewishgen.org/Registry.

1.8. In my country, on-line costs are expensive, but I want to use the Registry.  There is a survivors' group in my city who also wants to add their names.  What can we do?

You can collect the names and information for the people you want to add to the Registry, and send it in an E-mail request to: HGRadd@mail.jewishgen.org, and we will enter the information for you.  You can also send us the information via regular mail, but it must be typed or printed very clearly.

Send to:

Holocaust Global Registry
c/o JewishGen, Inc.
Museum of Jewish Heritage
36 Battery Place
New York, NY 10280

1.9. How often is the Holocaust Global Registry updated?

The database is updated instantaneously, whenever new entries are added on-line by users all over the world, via the WWW.

1.10 How do I know I am seeing the most current version of the Registry?

From time to time, we might receive suggestions, which could result in us making some changes to the database format. So when you return to this website, please click the "RELOAD" or "REFRESH" button on your web browser, to be sure you looking at the most current version of the Registry.

1.11 What does this cost?

There are no costs for use of the Holocaust Global Registry. Everyone may participate, free of charge.  The Registry is maintained by JewishGen, Inc., a not-for-profit corporation.

However, while JewishGen is completely free of cost to users, there are costs to administer and maintain the database.  If you wish, you may send a voluntary donation (tax-deductible in the U.S.), to help offset some of these expenses, so we can continue to provide this and other services to the Jewish genealogical community.  Please visit our JewishGen-erosity site.  JewishGen is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit corporation.

1.12 Are there any other resources available for searching Holocaust Survivors?

Yes.

Here are a few:

a) The U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum has a "Registry of Jewish Holocaust Survivors", listing the names of many survivors who live in the United States and Canada.  U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum.

b) Gary Mokotoff's book on "How to Document Holocaust Victims and Survivors", is an outstanding source of information.  See information on this and other resources in the Holocaust section of the JewishGen FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions.

1.13 Disclaimer

Neither JewishGen, Inc. nor the database manager is responsible for the accuracy of the information contained in the Holocaust Global Registry. Since all the information is added by the public, it is subject to errors and omissions.

JewishGen's Holocaust Global Registry may not be reprinted or used for commercial purposes or as a means to contact those listed herein for any reasons, other than those searching for survivors, without the written permission of JewishGen, Inc.

2. How do I search for someone?

On the WWW, go to: http://www.jewishgen.org and from there go to the Holocaust Global Registry.

On the Main Page of the Registry, there is a "search box" where you may enter any word to search.  If you enter more than one word, please leave a "space" between each word. When you are ready to begin, click on "enter", or hit the return key.

HINT: Since this database may be searched using any word, in addition to searching for names of people, don't forget to also search for the name of your city or town.

2.1. When I enter names in the search box on the Main Page, Page, does that search ALL the records in the Registry?

Yes.

When you do a search, it searches ALL the records in the Registry.

2.2. What words can I use to search?

You may use any words: a person's name, a nickname, a maiden name, parents' names, the name or a town or city. Type your words in the search box (leave a space between each word).

HINT: Try searching by words such as "butcher", "baker", "doctor", etc., in case someone may have entered an occupation on their record.

2.3. How can I see if anyone from my town is listed in the Registry?

Just type the name of your city or town in the search box, and click the "search" button.

2.4. Can I search using any numbers, such as a birthdate, even if I don't know the complete date?

Yes.

Just enter the birthdate in the search box. You can search using only a year, or only a month and day.

Example: 8 February 1937 OR February 8 1937

Example: 8 February OR February 8

Example: 1937

2.5. Can I search for someone using any first or last name?

Yes,

you can use first or last names for the person you are searching, or their parents names, or their brothers or sisters, Just type the names in the search box. (Leave a space between each name.)

Example: Hannah

Example: Rosen

Example: Hannah Rosen

2.6. I did a search, and "hits" came up. What are "hits"?

Hits are the records which have matched one or more of the words you searched.

2.7. My search yielded no matches (no "hits"), what do I do now?

If your search yielded no "hits" you should add a record(s) for the name(s) you are searching using the "looking for" category. By adding a record, you increase the possibility of a "contact" because someone who might know the person whom you are searching may also check the database and see your record.

2.8. I did a search, and "hits" came up saying "1 of 25 to 30 hits" - what does that mean?

It means that you got 30 hits. Since hits come up in groups of 25 records at a time, when you get to the bottom of each group of 25 records, you have to click the button "Show next 25 hits" to see the next group of records.

2.9. I searched for the name "Rosen", but records came up for people with other names? Why? Also, "Rosen" appears in the names Rosenthal, Rosenberg, Grosen, etc.

If you searched for "Rosen", and other names came up, it is because the name "Rosen" also appears somewhere in those records. It might be in the fields for mother, father, relatives, etc.

2.10. How can I "narrow" my search?

If you find that doing a very general search (such as searching by name only), brings up too many "hits", you can try to narrow your search, by adding other words in the search box, and then clicking on "MATCHES ON ALL WORDS", which is to the right of the search box.

If you search using only the words "Sarah Rosen", you might get hits for anyone who has the names "Sarah" or "Rosen" in their records.

If you want to search for a Sarah Rosen from Budapest, you would type that name in the search box. (You may use either uppercase or lowercase letters to search.)

Example: Sarah Rosen Budapest

Example: sarah rosen budapest

3. What are the A to Z filters listed on the Main Page?

The A to Z filters show records arranged by surnames (last names) only. If you are searching for someone and do not remember their exact last name, but you think it starts with the letter "R", then click on that letter and browse (look at) all the surnames that begin with the letter "R".

4. What is the "Browse database" area for?

The "Browse database" area is used to look through records which are sorted by category (survivor, survivor searching my identity, or looking for). Please take time to occasionally look through these records. You may see a name of someone you recognize, or you might have information which could help someone find their loved ones, or help child survivors learn their identity.

4.1. What does "List new entries" mean?

As new entries are being added to the database every day, this feature lets you view the records which have been added since the last time you went to the database.

4.2. What does "List all survivor records" mean?

When you use this feature, this will show all records for survivors.

4.3. What does "List all looking for records" mean?

This feature will show all records of people whom others are searching.

4.4. What does "List all survivor, searching my identity records" mean?

This will show all records for survivors who are searching their identity. Most of them were so young at that time, that they do not remember their names, or parents' names. But many do remember other details, and that's why we ask everyone to occasionally take time to browse these records, in case you might recognize someone.

4.5. I clicked on a browse category, and when the records came up it said "1 of 25 to 100 hits" - what does that mean?

Refer to instruction #2.8.

5. How do I add a record to the database, and do I have to fill in everything on the form?

At the Registry's Main Page, click on ADD A NEW RECORD.  A record form will appear. Fill in as much information as you wish to give, as all fields are optional, except one.  The mandatory field which MUST be filled is the Identification.

Identification - asks you to indicate whether you are:

• a survivor
• a survivor, searching my identity
• looking for - someone for whom you are searching

NOTE: If you forget to fill in this item, an "error" message will appear. Just click on "Go back to the input form", fill in the information you left out, and then click on "SAVE" to add your record to the database.

5.1. I am a survivor "searching my identity". What if I do not know my "last name" or "first name"?

If you do not know a last name or a first name, type in the word UNKNOWN.  Do NOT use a question mark (?) in the "name" fields on the record form.

5.2. If I don't know what to fill in, do I just put a question mark (?) on the Record form?

No, do NOT use any question marks.  If you do not want to fill in information, just leave the box blank.

5.3. How many records am I allowed to add to the Registry?

The number of records you add to the Registry is not limited, but do not enter more than one record for the same person.  You may enter a record for yourself, if you are a survivor, and for anyone else whom you are searching.

5.4. I have entered a record - now how do I view my record?

To view your record, go to the Main Page and enter the person's name (of the record you added) into the SEARCH box, and click on the search button, or hit the enter key.

6. How do I modify (change) my record?

If you need to make changes to a record which you already added to the Registry:

1. Enter the name of the person whose record you want to edit in the SEARCH box on the Main Page.

2. When that record appears, click the folder icon (which is to the left of the person's name), and that will take you to the Modify/Delete record page.

3. Click the "Modify" button.

4. If you are not already logged on to JewishGen, you will be prompted to enter your email address or JewishGen ID Number and Password.

5. When your record comes up, make your changes, and then click on "Save".

6.1. I've moved, how do I change my address?

Click Here.

6.2. I have a new email address, how do I update my record?

Click Here.

6.3. There are mistakes on my entries - how do I correct them?

Refer to instruction #6.

7. How do I delete a record?

1. Enter the name of the person whose record you want to delete in the SEARCH box on the Main Page.

2. When that record appears, click the folder icon (which is to the left of the person's name), and that will take you to the Modify/Delete record page.

3. Click the "Delete" button.

4. If you are not already logged on to JewishGen, you will be prompted to enter your email address or JewishGen ID Number and Password.

5. You will get a confirmation that your record was deleted.

8. How do I contact someone listed in the Registry?

At the bottom of every record in the Registry, there is a "Make Contact" button.  If you wish to contact someone:

1. Click on the "Make Contact" button, which will take you to the CONTACT REQUEST page.

2. Fill in the form with your message to that person.

3. Click on "SEND MY REQUEST", and your message will be forwarded to that person via email (if there is an email address in their record), or via regular mail.

9. What do I do if I have a problem?

If you have a problem, send an E-mail request to JewishGen at: HGRhelp@mail.jewishgen.org.