How To Find Your Ashkenazi Jewish Ancestry In Lodz, Poland (Łódź)

Ever wondered if your Ashkenazi Jewish roots trace back to Łódź, Poland?

Maybe you’ve heard family stories, or maybe it’s just a gut feeling that your heritage is calling you here.

Well, I’ve been in your shoes, and I’ve walked the grounds where my ancestors once stood.

In this guide, I’ll share exactly how I found my own family’s graves at the large Jewish Cemetery in Łódź and how you can do it too.

Before we jump in, here’s the full video where I walk through the process with my friend Aleksey Muratov, a local who helps people search and find their family history here in Łódź:

Why Łódź Is Significant for Ashkenazi Jewish Heritage

Łódź was once home to one of the largest Jewish communities in Europe.

Before World War II, about one-third of the city’s population was Jewish.

That means if your family has Eastern European Jewish roots, there’s a fair chance they had a connection here.

The Jewish Cemetery in Łódź is huge with over 40 hectares and holds more than 180,000 graves.

For many descendants like us, it’s one of the most important places to reconnect with our history.

Who Can Help You Search: Meet Alex

When I came here, I met Alex, a man who’s been helping people from all over the world find their ancestors in Łódź.

Alex understands English but doesn’t speak it fluently.

Don’t let that scare you off though.

He communicates clearly through email or messages, and he’s already assisted many English speakers in locating graves, historical details, and even arranging for gravestones.

Here’s what Alex can help you with:

1. Finding the exact grave. Using your provided information.

2. Taking professional photos and videos. Perfect if you can’t travel to Poland.

3. Placing a Matzevah (gravestone). Whether the grave currently has one or not.

4. Researching historical details. Such as the person’s workplace or archived photos from Łódź.

Alex’s contact information:

1. Facebook: Aleksey Muratov

2. Phone: +380958910924

3. Email: alekseymur@yahoo.com

What Information You’ll Need to Start Your Search

To make your search easier and faster, you should gather as much information as possible before contacting Alex or doing your own research.

The most important details are:

1. Full Name - Both first and last name.

2. Death Date - Even an approximate year can help.

3. Additional Clues - Such as occupation, address, or family members.

Why is the death date so important?

In large cemeteries like Łódź, you’ll find multiple people with the same name.

The date helps narrow the search, avoiding confusion and saving time.

Online Resources for Jewish Genealogy Research

Before you reach out to someone on the ground, you can start gathering details from major online databases.

1. JewishGen - One of the largest repositories for Jewish genealogy. You can search by name, location, and date range.

2. Yad Vashem - Especially useful if your relatives perished in the Holocaust. The database holds testimonies, documents, and name records.

If You Can’t Travel to Łódź

Life doesn’t always allow us to hop on a plane, but that shouldn’t stop you from connecting with your heritage.

If you can’t be there in person:

1. Ask Alex to do a full photo/video documentation of the grave and surrounding area.

2. Request a short walking tour video of the cemetery section where your ancestor is buried.

3. Commission the installation of a Matzevah and have photos sent to you once it’s placed.

When I was here in Łódź, Alex was helping me with adding a Matzevah to my great-grandfather’s grave.

It was a deeply meaningful moment, even though much of the process happened remotely.

Bonus: Extra Historical Context You Can Request

If you want to go beyond names and dates, Alex can help you discover:

1. Where your ancestors worked in Łódź.

2. The kind of work they did and industries they were involved in.

3. Archival photographs that might show their workplace, neighborhood, or even events they attended.

These details make your family story come alive and connect you to the real people behind the names.

Final Thoughts

Finding your Ashkenazi Jewish ancestry in Łódź is not just about historical records, it’s about walking the same paths, seeing the same skyline, and feeling that deep connection to the past.

Whether you’re standing in the Jewish Cemetery yourself or receiving a video from halfway across the world, each discovery adds a new chapter to your family’s story.

If your roots may lead here, I highly recommend starting with the resources I’ve shared and, if possible, working with Alex to make the search much easier.

And remember, the journey of finding your family history is not just about the destination.

It’s about every little clue, story, and connection you uncover along the way.

Until next time.

Best,

Vova :)

P.S. I’m an Amazon FBA seller and content creator, and I love sharing tutorials, discount codes, reviews, tips, tricks, and helpful ways to grow in this profession. If you’d like to know a bit more about me, you can read about it here: About Me