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New Honorary Fellow appointed by University of º£½ÇÂÛ̳ Genealogical Studies Department

Michael Tobias has been appointed as Honorary Research Fellow for the Genealogical Studies Programme, University of º£½ÇÂÛ̳.

Michael graduated from the University in 2012 with an MSc in Genealogical, Palaeographic and Heraldic Studies. His research forms part of the ‘Demographic and Genealogical Survey of Scottish Jewry’ in conjunction with the International Institute for Jewish Genealogy, Jerusalem. 

Previously involved in the design, development and maintenance of financial projection systems for actuarial consultants Hymans Robertson, Michael adapted his IT skills relating to data manipulation and systems to create some of the first online searchable genealogical databases on the Internet in 1995. To date, he has developed almost all the online searchable databases for JewishGen and Jewish Records Indexing – Poland (JRI – Poland).

Since graduating from º£½ÇÂÛ̳, Michael has continued with his Scottish-Jewish research and over the past 8 years has examined in excess of 1 million records while creating a database of Scottish Jewry. His expertise has been utilised by both the UK and USA versions of the TV series ‘Who Do You Think You Are’, and he was instrumental in locating the evidence that allowed Guinness World Records to confirm Israel Krystal, Auschwitz survivor aged 113 (March 2016), as the then world’s oldest living man.

Michael’s role as Honorary Research Fellow will focus on providing advice in relation to the technical aspects of databases, project management and big data in genealogy and related topics. Current students will also benefit from the opportunity to participate in both video chat sessions and a presentation during the academic year.

Tahitia McCabe, Course Leader said ‘we are delighted to have Michael join the Programme and share his extensive knowledge and insight on the complexities of genealogy databases and look forward to working with him during his term with us’.

Learn more about the Genealogical Studies Programme at the University of º£½ÇÂÛ̳ >>