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Frequently Asked Questions
Answers to some frequently asked questions about conducting a search of the Jewish Family Names database of Beth Hatefutsoth:
1. I would like to know the meaning of my family name. What should I do?You need to send a search order of the database of Jewish family names of Beth Hatefutsoth. Click here for a general description of the database. To order a search click here to return to Family Names Main Page and then click on Search Order, fill out the form and send it to us by clicking on the Submit button. The price is NIS 25.00 for up to three family names. You may also carry out a search while visiting the Study Room located at the second floor of the museum. The staff of the museum members will be happy to assist you. Click here to see the opening hours of the museum. 2. In what language do I need fill out the search order?Your contact details should be filled out in English if you reside outside Israel. Residents of Israel may fill their contact details in Hebrew. However, family names you are searching for must be filled out in Latin characters only. The database contains information in English and for carrying out an effective search, it is imperative to submit the family names you are searching in Latin characters only. 3. What details shall I fill out in the Family Names Order Form?The Family Names Order Form contains a number of fields marked by an asterisk (*). To submit the search order successfully you need to fill out these fields. However, it is highly advisable to fill out all fields in the order form. 4. How do I know that my search order has been received?After clicking on the Submit button please wait a few seconds while your order is being processed, until you see a message on your screen. Within minutes, an automatic confirmation will be delivered to the mail address you registered in your search order form. 5. When can I expect an answer?The search results of the Jewish Family Names database will be sent to the e-mail address you filled out in the search order form within a few days, but not longer than 14 business days of receipt of your request. Users of free e-mail accounts (like Hotmail, Yahoo etc.) are advised that occasionally their e-mail box will not be able to handle our reply due to lack of free space. 6. Is my Search Order secure?Yes, all credit card numbers submitted to the site through our various “Search Orders Online” are encrypted using “Secure Socket Layer” (SSL) encryption. For more details about this subject click here and read our privacy policy. 7. I found my family name in the Jewish Family Names database of Beth Hatefutsoth. Is that proof that I am Jewish?No. There are many surnames used by Jews and non-Jews alike. Click here for a general introduction about Jewish family names. 8. I did not find my family name in the Jewish Family Names database of Beth Hatefutsoth. Is that a proof that I am not Jewish?No. The Jewish Family Names database contains about 20,000 entries with many others being added constantly. Click here for a general introduction about Jewish family names. 9. Can you tell me from the meaning of my surname to which tribe my family belongs or whether we are Cohanim?No. For these questions, please seek the advice of a rabbi. However, there are some family names - Cohen, Levy, Katz, Segal and others - that according to the Jewish tradition designate descendants of Cohanim or Levi'im. 10. I would like to change my family name for a Hebrew one. Can you advise me which name to adopt?We can provide you with a meaning of your surname, but choosing a Hebrew surname should be your decision. There are no clear rules for choosing a Hebrew surname: some select a Hebrew name whose sound or spelling is close to the former family name while others translate the meaning of their surname, each according to his/her own preferences. 11. Does your database contain information about certain communities only?The Jewish Family Names database contains information about surnames from all communities. We constantly enrich our database with new information gathered by our researchers with the aim of preserving and displaying the family heritage of all Jewish communities. 12. I do not know my date of birth. Can you help me?Unfortunately, we cannot assist you with this request. 13. How do I convert a Hebrew date to a date in the general calendar (Gregorian calendar)?Visit JOS Calendar Conversion or alternatively open the Index volume of the Encyclopedia Judaica, p. 109, to find out converting tables of Hebrew and Gregorian dates for the years 1920 through 2020. If you look for a year beyond the period covered by those tables, do not worry. Hebrew dates coincide with Gregorian dates every 19 years. For instance: do you want to know which Gregorian date corresponds with Tishrei 12 of the year 1900? Look what was the Gregorian date for Tishrei 12 in 1938 (19 X 2) or any other multiple of 19 and you will discover. For users of ILANOT: the program converts automatically between Hebrew, Gregorian, Julian and Muslim dates. If you do not have access to Encyclopedia Judaica or ILANOT, we will be happy to assist you: just call us Sun - Wed between 10:00 - 14:00 at 03-7457855, or send us an e-mail at bhrsrch@post.tau.ac.il if you reside outside Israel. 14. What is the difference between the genealogy
database and the database of Jewish family names? Is there any link between
them?
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