[3] JewishGen was founded in 1987 by Susan E. King in Houston, Texas, as a Fidonet bulletin board with approximately 150 users interested in Jewish genealogy.

[4] Around 1989 to 1990, JewishGen moved to the internet as a mailing list and online forum, and was called the Jewish Genealogy Conference.

[2] It was loosely managed by founding members and volunteers that included Warren Blatt, Susan E. King, Bernie Kouchel, Gary Mokotoff, Michael Tobias, and others active in the community.

[11] JewishGen's website is designed to provide a simple and easy interface, and is offered as a free public service.

It lists more than 21 million Jewish records, hundreds of translated yizkor (memorial) books, research tools, a family finder, educational classes, historical components, and other resources.