The Nathan and Theresa Berman Upper Midwest Jewish Archives is housed in the Elmer L. Andersen Library on the west bank side of the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis. I have had a tour and researched at the Anderson library several times, but not in the records of the Jewish Archives.

Previously situated at multiple locations, these archives are now gathered in this one location. The collection had it’s beginning with the Jewish Historical Society of the Upper Midwest established in 1984.

Among the material held at this location are records of various organizations, synagogues, papers of rabbis, family and personal papers, photos, scrapbooks, books, magazines, and oral histories. General guidance on family history and general research is provided on the website along with links to other Jewish research sites. https://libguides.umn.edu/c.php?g=1015597

The family and personal papers encompass so many names from the area where I grew up in Saint Paul. I noticed several collections that may connect to one of the places I worked, Feldman’s Department Store’s location in Saint Paul.

The long list of institutional records includes organizations, businesses, clubs, groups, and even a bowling club! https://www.lib.umn.edu/collections/special/umja/where-begin#s-5141

Take a look at the collection overviews https://www.lib.umn.edu/collections/special/umja

 

 

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