Speaker: Michael Cassara

Postcards From The Past: Bringing Deltiology to Jewish Genealogy – Postcards can be an overlooked and occasionally invaluable means of peering further into the lives of our ancestors. Not only can they illuminate microhistory (in ways that may otherwise be lost to the ages), but both the front and the back of postcards can contribute mightily to any genealogical study. Images on the front of a card can offer illustrations of long-demolished places of interest, while messages on the back may shed light on an ancestor’s travels and happenings, giving the researcher a clearer sense of the writer’s concerns of a long-forgotten moment. These are only a few of the many ways in which genealogy and deltiology (the study and collection of postcards) can intersect. This talk will include unique imagery and case studies to demonstrate the special role postcards can play in Jewish genealogy. 

Bio:

Michael Cassara is a professional genealogist and lecturer based in New York City, specializing in Italian/Sicilian genealogy, New York and New Jersey research, and genealogical technology. He has frequently presented at regional societies as well as national conferences, including six years of presentations at RootsTech, the 2018 Association of Professional Genealogists Professional Management Conference, a popular 2019 APG Webinar on genealogical technology, as well as talks at FGS, OGS, the New York State Family History Conference, Allen County Public Library, and more. Michael holds a Certificate in Genealogical Research from Boston University (OL19) and is a graduate of the ProGen Study Group (ProGen 43). He is the Past President of the Italian Genealogical Group (ItalianGen.org) and currently serves as President of the Metropolitan Postcard Club, the oldest continuously-operated deltiological organization in the United States. In his "other life" he is a leading New York City-based casting director, specializing in musical theatre projects worldwide. He blogs about his research at http://www.digiroots.net and you can find him on Facebook at @DigiRoots.