For the person tracing both eastern European and Jewish family history, there is a wonderfully robust collection of sources available for obtaining both specific family data and sound genealogical research strategies. Many sources are also available to assist one in finding particular types of records and identifying record repositories.

A "must-use" source for Jewish and eastern European research is a quarterly publication entitled Avotaynu: The International Review of Jewish Genealogy (Bergenfield, NJ: Avotaynu, Inc.) This work represents the best in information offerings for genealogists pursuing research in these areas. While the title may tempt one to believe it is solely for Jewish research, such a belief would be quite incorrect and most inappropriate. Many have called Avotaynu the most important source for conducting any type of historical research in eastern Europe.

A quick review of 1996 article titles reveals such gems as "Russian Books of Residents as a Genealogical Resource," "The Current State of Archival Research in the CIS (former Soviet Union)," "On-Site Research in Germany," "Archives in Bohemia and Moravia," "Mandated Family Names in Central Europe," "Research On-Line or in Person at the Library of Congress," and "Alternate Surnames in Russian Poland." Jewish-specific topics include lists of Jewish genealogical societies and interest groups, special Jewish resources and collections found throughout eastern Europe and the United States, Jewish records being filmed by the Genealogical Society of Utah and those currently available through the Family History Library, various recently discovered lists and censuses, and reviews of significant books in the field...