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Something to Think About |
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Bethlehem
Genealogy is Special
- The most
famous Census in history was taken here.
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Matters of
importance to people around the world, such as the birth of
Jesus is local history for Bethlehemites.
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Other
genealogists hit a metaphorical “brick wall” in their research.
Bethlehemites hit a real concrete wall.
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The Purpose and
Limitations of the Site
The purpose of this
site is to:
·
Gather into one spot
the resources which can help people around the world whose roots are in
Bethlehem to research their family history.
·
Point the way to
resources of use to Palestinians generally in researching their family history.
·
Inspire Palestinians in
general to undertake family history research.
·
Increase the Internet
presence of Palestinians in family history and Genealogy.
·
Increase ties between
Palestinians in the Homeland and Diaspora through the subject of family history
and genealogy.
·
Attract funding and
partners for community-building and educational programs based on genealogy and
family history, a plank of AEI’s Identity and Values Program.
·
Serve as a resource for
such a program.
·
Serve as a springboard
for local and international individuals and institutions to explore the Arab
Educational Institute’s innovative, holistic and life affirming programs. See
Windows to Palestine Windows to Peace for an overview of AEI’s work.
·
Serve as an example of
the creativity and resilience of the Palestinian people in the face of their
difficult circumstances.
Aside
from Palestinians researching their family history, this site may be of interest
to:
·
Foreigners planning to
visit Palestine—especially Bethlehem—for tourism or work.
·
Educators who are
interested in innovative educational programs coming out of Palestine.
·
Anyone interested in
the Palestinians as A People, and as Individual People,
who just like the rest of the billions of people on the planet, are doing
their best to earn a living and raise their children, despite the very difficult
circumstances in which they live.
Limitations of the Site
·
The site as you find
it, is the product of volunteer effort—largely by one individual—and thus
reflects and is limited to the particular experiences, knowledge and skills of
that individual.
·
Even within these
particular experiences, knowledge and skills of that individual, the site makes
no attempt to be comprehensive.
o
Time and logistic
considerations make this unfeasible
o
The whole point is to
create a community-based site in which Palestinians-whether scholars or
ordinary individuals -- contribute.
·
The site is in English,
and not very simple English at that, which may make it difficult for some
sectors of the Palestinian population to access.
o
This happens to be the
easiest language for the writer of the website.
o
Many Palestinians
abroad do not know Arabic but can manage in English.
o
It is hoped that it
will be accessible to decision makers and actors in different fields who can use
it as a resource which will serve broad sections of the Palestinian population.
o
It is hoped that
funding will allow us to develop appropriate programs in Arabic which will serve
the local population.
Special Thanks
are due to AEI’s Webmaster, George Maria,
for helping in all technical matters involved in creating and designing this
website.
Linking Diaspora and Homeland to Solve