No comments about Anglo-Americans in Spanish Archives: Lists of Anglo-American Settlers in the Spanish Colonies of America : A Finding Aid.

No comments about Genealogies for a new state: painting and propaganda in Franco's Spain, 1936-1940.: An article from: Discourse (Detroit, MI).

No comments about Personal Names Studies of Medieval Europe: Social Identity and Familial Structures (Studies in Medieval Culture).

No comments about The Spanish ancestry of American colonists.

No comments about The Bueno De Mesquita Family.

No comments about Annual Report of the American Historical Association for the Year 1945 in Four Volumes (Spain in the Mississippi Valley, 1765-1794 (Part 3) Problems of Frontier Defense, 1792-1794, Volume 4).

No comments about The Catalan Rule of the Templars: A Critical Edition and English Translation from Barcelona, Archivo de la Corona de Aragón, `Cartas Reales', MS 3344 (Studies in the History of Medieval Religion).

No comments about Origenes: Compendio Historico-genealogico.

3 comments about Sephardic Genealogy: Discovering Your Sephardic Ancestors and Their World.

1. This nice sized volume brings together in printed form for the first time a collection of sources for obtaining genealogical information which may be of use to Sephardic Jews researching their family tree. It is a well assembled work of some 360 pages with a very useful set of indexes divided by Sephardic surnames as well as general terms. Broken up into four core divisions, the book covers history of the Sephardim, fundamentals of genealogy, country resources divided by specific country, and Internet resources. There are multiple appendices which cover material such as forms, charts and historical data. Under the country headings is a very useful recommended reading list for each specific country. Other than the United States, the author includes data on countries from where the Sephardim came from which include Algeria, the Balkans, Egypt, Italy, Iran, Iraq, Morocco, Netherlands, Spain, Sudan, Syria, Turkey (and the Ottoman Empire) as well as countries of the Caribbean and South America.

   The reader will particularly appreciate large amount of Sephardic surnames which have etymological origins, as well as their own index. It covers source material both in the modern era, as well as potenital sources for genaological information prior to the Iberian expulsion. An index of subjects printed in Jewish journals related to the Sephardim provides a handy reference. The utility of this work is found in the listing of specific addresses where one can send correspondence to seek information. Under each country are archival sources, listed with various points of contact. The fifteen page bibliography is itself a tool for those conducting Sephardic ancestral research.

   Dr. Malka accurately explains the little known fact that "population trades" existed between Spain and Morocco. This helps understand who is "Sephardic" when looking back at ones own history. He incorporates both Mizrahi (eastern Jews) with Jews whose descent is from Iberia in his definition of "Sephardic." Though many Judeo-Spanish Sephardim do not support this inclusion, he is correct in his grouping of Jewish people from countries which made up the former Ottoman Empire as being Sephardic. This includes such modern countries of Egypt, Syria and Iraq. Utilizing expert opinions such as those by the late Sephardic scholar Daniel Elazar, the author upholds a popular academic and religious point of view that Sephardim--are those who follow the religious rite and laws which are outlined in the Babylonian Talmud and the Shuklan Arukh, the Code of Jewish Law.

   The title of the book "Sephardic Genealogy: Discovering Your Sephardic Ancestry and Their World," is appropriate. The author has assembled a well written condensed section of Sephardic Jewish history, from the times of the Prophets to modern day. The incorporation of Sephardic history in a book on genealogy gets my praise, as I feel one who researches their own family history, should also learn something about their people's history. Peppering the initial portion of the book with paragraphs on Jews in Babylon, the Gaonim and subjects as unusual as Jews in the Amazon, make this book more than just a simple list of sources.

   There are 19 illustrations and maps which though are fundamental, can aid understanding of some key issues. In the sources for genealogical information sections under specific country headings, it is clear that the author has integrated up to date information. As one example, he notes that in Egypt, though it is difficult and may take years to obtain genealogical data, the elderly members of the Jewish community are currently seeking Hebrew readers from abroad to help them "organize their records." Sometimes gathering material from Sephardic lands, former or present, may involve issues pertaining to politics, language barriers and indifference. Malka clearly states this, and occasionally provides tips on how to address some of these issues.

   While "Sephardic Genealogy: Discovering Your Sephardic Ancestry and Their World" documents the existing sources where one potentially may obtain data, the genealogical professional may be left looking for a slightly deeper examination of each of these sources. I would be remiss if I did not mention one of the most significant strong points of this publication, it is its existence. Until this was published, there were no books for the genealogist who is descendant from a Sephardic family. Malka's documentation of obscure sources are impressive.

   Written at a time when Sephardic genealogy is quite popular, this book will fill a vacuum which has existed since the Internet helped develop the explosive growth of researching ones family tree. Unlike numerous recent Jewish genealogical books, usually by non-Sephardic Jews, Malka himself is Sephardic, and he is writing for the masses with an intrinsic interest to help lead his fellow Sephardi to obtain information. A large majority of the material which went into this work came from the authors own website, which he had previously researched and assembled. Given the "here today gone tomorrow" aspect of the Internet, the printing of this book allows the material to have a permanent record. "Sephardic Genealogy" is an embarkation into the new genre of Sephardic genealogical research. With this book, Malka has planted the seeds where I suspect new flowers will germinate. The book is recommended to all persons interested in researching their Sephardic Jewish family roots.

   Reviewed by

   S. Alfassa
   Foundation for the Advancement of
   Sephardic Studies and Culture
   "Founded 1965"




2. A fellow genealogist recommended this book and I purchased it without knowing quite what to expect. With hints of possible Sephardic ancestry in my family I was looking for potential avenues of research and this was the only comprehensive book on the subject. It turned out to be a magnificent purchase.

   Dr Malka has done us all an extraordinary favor. This book methodically takes you through a history synopsis (fascinating reading in of itself in its comprehensive brevity) but then takes the reader through archival, bibliographic, internet and other resources. Grouped country by country the book is exhaustive in its throughness. It is amazing how the author was able to condense so much information in only 360 pages.

   The huge bibliography and list of Sephardic websites, categorized by country and by interest, are alone worth the purchase but then so also are the methodical listing of resources by country with practical description of how to go about searching in these repositories. To my surprise, because I am an experienced genealogy researcher, the book has opened numerous avenues of search for me - some of whom have already born fruit - and even if it had not, its fascinating writing style packed with little known information would alone have justified my purchase. There are chapters on most countries where Sephardic Jews lived - from pre-expulsion Spain and its 12th century notarial records, to countries in North Africa, Turkey, the Balkans, Italy, Holland, the Caribbean and the Americas. There are even transcription tables for the Arabic alphabet, the little known Sephardic Hebrew script used in Ladino, lists of memberships in 16th century Salonican synagogues, maps, etc. An appendix of common Sephardic surnames explains their etympology and origins adding to a chapter describing the development of Sephardic surnames from biblical times to the present.

   No surprise that the book was awarded the "Reference Book of the Year" award for 2002 by the multinational Association of Jewish Libraries. I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in Jewish or Sephardic history in general, but it is an essential book for anyone researching Sephardic genealogy or history. This includes the large number of Christians who are discovering their crypto-Jewish ancestry.

   Thank you Dr. Malka.




3. Sephardic Genealogy is an extensively researched genealogical
   tool. Step-by-step this book will guide you in researching your Jewish ancestors with its exhaustive bibliography, directory of
   archives, lists of Sephardic family names and web sites.

   It will intrigue those interested by the history of ancient people. A compelling adventure filled with triumphs and tribulations. A saga of a people of persistent courage in the face of adversity.

   Jeff Malka takes you on an historical journey from Ancient Babylon to the America's. Visit exotic places from the Sudan to Sicily. Travel the silk route, exchange Islamic and Hebrew religious views, eavesdrop on Spanish converso secrets.
   
   Professor Jeff Malkas' 'Sephardic Genealogy' will set you on an iridescent magic carpet adventure, taking you to your ancestor's doorstep. This is more than a Jewish genealogy book.

   This book will add considerable value to reference collections in public libraries by filling an important historical gap.

   Guy Puglia
   Reference Librarian

2 comments about Finding Your Hispanic Roots.

1. Whether you are a beginner, intermediate, or advanced, this book will help you understand many aspects of Hispanic genealogy. Language, abbreviations, paleography, jurisdictional boundaries and its effects on record keeping, etc... this is THE book to get for researching ancestors in Mexico, Central and South America, and Southern Europe.
   
   This is one of two books I recommend my classes to purchase. The other I recommend, if doing American Research, is THE SOURCE.



2. This was actually a gift for my husband, who is enjoying the resource book. It has been one of his (young)life long goals to find his roots, which has been a struggle: especially with his Mexican roots.
   
   Our wish is that the book will give us excellent leads as to where he can continue his search or where to begin.
   
   Thank you from a very satisfied costomer.