Even a single entry at Yad Vashem can restore identity, dignity, and memory to someone who was meant to be erased — and that makes every search worthwhile.

For many people researching Jewish family history, Yad Vashem is not just an archive — it’s a place of memory, testimony, and sometimes the only surviving trace of a life interrupted by the Holocaust. If you believe a relative was murdered during the Shoah, deported, imprisoned, or displaced, Yad Vashem may hold records that can help you reconstruct their story. While the process can feel intimidating at first, accessing records from Yad Vashem is more approachable than it seems.

What is Yad Vashem?

Yad Vashem, located in Jerusalem, is the World Holocaust Remembrance Center. It maintains one of the largest and most important collections of Holocaust-related documentation in the world. These records come from survivors, families, governments, communities, and postwar investigations. For genealogists, Yad Vashem is often the first — and sometimes only — place where a victim’s name appears in writing.

Start with the Central Database of Shoah Victims’ Names

Your first stop should be the Central Database of Shoah Victims’ Names, which is available online for free. This searchable database contains millions of names and is built largely from Pages of Testimony, along with archival documents and lists compiled after the war.

When searching, try multiple spellings of surnames and given names. Names were recorded in many languages — Hebrew, Yiddish, Polish, German, Russian, Hungarian, and more — and spellings often changed. If you’re not finding results right away, search by first name only, year of birth, or place of residence before the war.

Understanding Pages of Testimony

Pages of Testimony are among the most powerful records at Yad Vashem. These forms were submitted by survivors, relatives, or friends to commemorate individuals who were murdered in the Holocaust. A Page of Testimony may include:

• Full name (sometimes including maiden name)
• Date and place of birth
• Last known place of residence
• Occupation or family relationships
• Details about how or where the person was murdered
• Name and relationship of the person who submitted the page

Even when details are incomplete, the name of the submitter can be a breakthrough clue, pointing you to previously unknown relatives or community connections.

Explore Additional Archival Records

Beyond Pages of Testimony, Yad Vashem holds a vast archive of documents, including:

• Deportation and transport lists
• Ghetto and camp records
• Forced labor documentation
• Postwar survivor lists
• Testimonies, memoirs, and photographs

Many of these materials are digitized and linked directly to individual name records. Others may require a more in-depth search or a formal request to the archives.

Requesting Records from Yad Vashem

If you find a reference to a document that is not fully available online, you can submit a request through Yad Vashem’s website. Be as specific as possible: include full names, dates, places, and any archival reference numbers you’ve already identified. The more context you provide, the easier it is for archivists to locate relevant materials.

Response times can vary, and not every request will result in new information, but even negative results help narrow the historical picture.

Tips for a More Successful Search

• Search regularly — new records are added as collections are digitized.
• Check related names from the same town or family.
• Don’t ignore partial matches or vague entries.
• Combine Yad Vashem research with other databases like JewishGen or Arolsen Archives.

More Than Records

Working with Yad Vashem records can be emotionally heavy. These documents don’t just list names; they represent real people, families, and communities that were destroyed. Take breaks when you need them, and remember that preserving these names is itself an act of remembrance.

Even a single entry at Yad Vashem can restore identity, dignity, and memory to someone who was meant to be erased — and that makes every search worthwhile.