Jewish Genealogy in Alsace
Tracing a Jewish Alsatian family can be tricky. History explains why:
Records Before 1792
Before the Revolution, Jews in Alsace had no official civil status. The French state did not record their births, marriages or deaths.
The most important document from this period is the 1784 census — a remarkable survey of every Jewish person living in Alsace at the time, village by village. If your family was here before the Revolution, this is often the earliest place we can find them by name.
Surveys like these allowed authorities to tax Jews, control and limit their presence, and sell Jews the right (which they had to pay for) to live and work in the rare professions they were permitted: in Alsace, trade in used objects, money lending, and livestock and cattle breeding. Because information given was not verified, discrepancies are possible and even commonplace - but they give us important clues.
Beyond that, we look for marriage contracts, circumcision registers, tax lists, and cemetery inscriptions.
September 27, 1791
Alsatian Jews were granted French citizenship on this date — one of the last acts of the National Assembly before its dissolution. Now, as citizens, they become part of official recordkeeping.
After 1792
From 1792 onward, births, marriages and deaths were recorded by civil authorities for all residents, including Jews. This is where the trail becomes navigable.
Names
One more complication: before 1808, most Alsatian Jewish families had no fixed surname. Names followed a patronymic pattern — a son of Moise named Abraham was simply "Abraham Moise." In 1808, Napoleon ordered all Jews in the Empire to adopt a permanent family name. The resulting name adoption registers are often the bridge between the pre- and post-Revolutionary record.
Research Sessions
3 hours of archival research into your family's presence in Alsace
We comb municipal archives, online genealogy and cemetery records to find birth, marriage and death dates and documents. We can create a professional, printable family tree. Receive a written report of what was searched, what was found, and the conclusions that can be drawn from both.
What you get
Digitized versions of original documents - Family tree entries - Source list - Written context explaining any gaps - Recommended next steps, including genealogy trip planning
To get started
Tell me your family name, the villages or regions you're connected to, and what you already know. We'll take it from there.
Testimonials
"Marvelous experience. Shani opened doors I could never have found so that I was able to spend time with some of the last heads of Jewish communities in the region where many of my ancestors were born. Further, Jewish Alsace wrote to the archives I visited on my behalf, advised on how to travel from one small town or village to another, and also gave some great restaurant recommendations."
— Nancy, USA, Genealogy
It's hard to summarize the many roles Shani of Jewish Alsace played in my once in a lifetime experience to find my family roots in Alsace. It is not hyperbole to say that none of what I
experienced would have been possible without her. From the moment we made contact I felt that I had a guide in many senses, a knowledgeable partner who was devoted to my quest to find my family roots in Alsace. She took on the research with the enthusiasm of a skilled detective.Shani utilized her extensive network of connections throughout the area. She
got us access to places we would not have been able to get to without
her. I got to stand at the grave of my ancestor from the 1600s. Shani
literally schlepped through the cemetery in the rain, determined to find
that grave. She gave context and materials which gave it all more
meaning. I got to see the birth, wedding and death certificates of my
ancestors. We also met with the last Jew in Hagenau which was a
bittersweet experience. Being in the different synagogues and cemeteries
was extremely meaningful; seeing the villages my family had lived
touched me on a deep level.Shani provided many tips for our trip in general. She shared her enthusiasm
for Alsace and its history and culture. We enjoyed getting a taste of
what that is like today, literally at really interesting restaurants and
through her explanations about the area. Shani being bi-cultural is
really helpful. Raised in the US and in Alsace for over fifteen years, she understands both languages and cultures and is sensitive to the nuances of each.I highly recommend Shani for a once in a lifetime experience.
— Yehudit, USA, Genealogy
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