Ackman & Ziff Family Genealogy Institute Hours and Appointment Requests

The Ackman & Ziff Family Genealogy Institute is open as follows:

• Public walk-ins on Mondays, from 9:30 AM to 4:30 PM
• Appointment-only on Tuesday through Friday, when the genealogists will serve Holocaust survivors and the direct descendants (children and grandchildren) of Holocaust survivors and victims by appointment only. Please e-mail us at gia@cjh.org to make an appointment. We offer both in-person and Zoom appointments. Please note: we cannot honor appointment requests that are made less than 72 hours before the requested appointment day.

This change allows us to focus on a time-sensitive mission: reuniting families separated by the Holocaust. Every mystery solved brings healing, closure, and a chance to restore lost connections.

We are also accepting appointment requests from Center for Jewish History members who have donated at the Archivist level or above. 

We remain free and open to the public.  We invite you to walk in on Mondays or to help our genealogists better understand your needs, please complete this form.

Introduction

The Ackman & Ziff Family Genealogy Institute offers free access to an extensive array of resources, including the rich collections of the Center’s Partners, online databases, and specialized research guides. Our dedicated staff provides expert guidance to researchers of all levels, from novices to professionals, ensuring they have the support needed to navigate their research in-person or virtually.

The Ackman & Ziff Family Genealogy Institute welcomes walk-in researchers on Mondays. No appointments are needed on Monday.

On Tuesday through Friday our genealogists will serve Holocaust survivors and the direct descendants (children and grandchildren) of Holocaust survivors and victims by appointment only. To request an appointment, email gia@cjh.org. Please note: we cannot honor appointment requests that are made less than 72 hours before the requested appointment day.

Our team of genealogy specialists are happy to show visitors how to start searching for ancestors, answer their research questions, and recommend relevant sources in the collections of the Center’s Partners. If you are not eligible for an appointment or are inquiring about Histories and Mysteries, please fill out our genealogy form, so that our research staff can assist you.

Starting in 2025, visitors are welcome to the new Ancestry Research & Reflection Room, a space dedicated to preserving and sharing the stories of Jewish families worldwide. Opening in late January to mark the 80th anniversary of Auschwitz’s liberation, the Ancestry Research & Reflection Room offers visitors uniquely expansive resources: access to records at the Center and its Partners as well as onsite access to Ancestry’s extensive Holocaust collections, including over 7.5 million records newly released through Ancestry’s work with the Arolsen Archives. Genealogy staff are onsite and ready to guide you and visitors of all levels of experience on your family history discovery journey.