I can't believe I had missed this until now, so maybe that is the case
for others as well.

A cousin just mentioned to me that he had discovered relatives on the Ellis
Island web site by viewing the 'annotations' that others had made to the
records. I never paid any attention before, but following his advice, I found
that a previously unknown cousin of mine had annotated the record of
Jankiel Szafran with information that confirmed my inferences of how Jankiel
would fit into my family tree and supplied the name of living relatives as
well.

If you have (like me) been ignoring the 'annotations', you may want to go back
to check them out. I'm considering the effort it will take me to (re-)search
the 'annotations' to all the records I have viewed since the Ellis Island
web site open so many years ago now.......

I also wonder if there is a way the Morse search tool could indicate if
annotations exist or not for a given passenger??

Anyone have a feel for how common it is (or isn't) for passengers to
have 'annotations' added?

Marty Meyers

I can't believe I had missed this until now, so maybe that is the case
for others as well.

A cousin just mentioned to me that he had discovered relatives on the Ellis
Island web site by viewing the 'annotations' that others had made to the
records. I never paid any attention before, but following his advice, I found
that a previously unknown cousin of mine had annotated the record of
Jankiel Szafran with information that confirmed my inferences of how Jankiel
would fit into my family tree and supplied the name of living relatives as
well.

If you have (like me) been ignoring the 'annotations', you may want to go back
to check them out. I'm considering the effort it will take me to (re-)search
the 'annotations' to all the records I have viewed since the Ellis Island
web site open so many years ago now.......

I also wonder if there is a way the Morse search tool could indicate if
annotations exist or not for a given passenger??

Anyone have a feel for how common it is (or isn't) for passengers to
have 'annotations' added?

Marty Meyers

I am trying to get information as to whether my husband's great
grandparents are buried in Rodef Sholem/Rodeph Sholom Cemetery in
Wabash, IN. It is located on Mill and Bond St., Wabash City, Noble
Township. I have been combing the internet to get an address for this
cemetery, but to no avail. Perhaps some kind genner could guide me as
who to call, write or fax to gather information. I have emailed the
Indiana Jewish Historical Society, however, they have disbanded. I know
many cemeteries are operated by a religious
congregation/synagogue/temple, perhaps someone might know the name of
the closest Jewish congregation. I have searched and have not found any
in Wabash.

I would love to receive the details, i.e., tombstone information,
location, etc.. My husband has no idea, since his father was an
orphan. It has taken me years to get to some of the data I now have and
I know he would be most appreciative. Below please find the information
I do have:

Simon Meyer, born in France circa 1847-1852, was a butcher. Business
name: Sundheimer & Meyer, 26 West Market. His residence is listed as
466 N. Huntington. In 1914-1915, both Simon and his wife, Florett, are
listed in the Wabash City and County Directory and Gazeteer.

his wife, Flurett Netter Meyer, born France circa 1850, she is still
alive as of September 1918.

their children where all born in Indiana:
* Hattie Meyer Weinberg, born 1875, married Joseph Weinberg 1/11/1897.
Children include Melvin (1899, died as a child, age 7 of TB, no idea
where buried, possibly at Rodef Sholem), Henriette (born 12/5/1900),
Leon (born 10/21/1902 Chicago, IL) and Miriam (born 3/2/1907 Tipton,
IN). Apparently Hattie died after the birth of her last child. On the
1910 Census it shows the children are living with Simon and Flurett in
Wabash. That is why I think she is probably buried near her parents.
The family has no idea as to what happened to Hattie and her husband
Joseph (Joe).

On 11/11/1912, Henriette and Leon were admitted to Bellefair Jewish
Children's Bureau and Fluerett, the grandmother, raised Miriam.
According to Bellefair, the handwritting on an old register notes "the
girl age 12, boy age 10, Mother dead". I have copies of their
admittance cards, but nothing else. Henriette and Leon where both
discharged to their grandmother, Mrs. Simon Meyer when they reached the
age of 16.

* Eda (Edith), born 1877
* Leon (Leo) Meyer, born 1880, he is listed as a hatter in the
1914-1915 Wabash City & Cnty Directory & Gaz. *
Joseph (Joe), born 2/14/1883

Hoping some kind genner can steer me in the right direction.

Thank you,

Andrea Shafer Weinberg
St. Petersburg, FL

I am trying to get information as to whether my husband's great
grandparents are buried in Rodef Sholem/Rodeph Sholom Cemetery in
Wabash, IN. It is located on Mill and Bond St., Wabash City, Noble
Township. I have been combing the internet to get an address for this
cemetery, but to no avail. Perhaps some kind genner could guide me as
who to call, write or fax to gather information. I have emailed the
Indiana Jewish Historical Society, however, they have disbanded. I know
many cemeteries are operated by a religious
congregation/synagogue/temple, perhaps someone might know the name of
the closest Jewish congregation. I have searched and have not found any
in Wabash.

I would love to receive the details, i.e., tombstone information,
location, etc.. My husband has no idea, since his father was an
orphan. It has taken me years to get to some of the data I now have and
I know he would be most appreciative. Below please find the information
I do have:

Simon Meyer, born in France circa 1847-1852, was a butcher. Business
name: Sundheimer & Meyer, 26 West Market. His residence is listed as
466 N. Huntington. In 1914-1915, both Simon and his wife, Florett, are
listed in the Wabash City and County Directory and Gazeteer.

his wife, Flurett Netter Meyer, born France circa 1850, she is still
alive as of September 1918.

their children where all born in Indiana:
* Hattie Meyer Weinberg, born 1875, married Joseph Weinberg 1/11/1897.
Children include Melvin (1899, died as a child, age 7 of TB, no idea
where buried, possibly at Rodef Sholem), Henriette (born 12/5/1900),
Leon (born 10/21/1902 Chicago, IL) and Miriam (born 3/2/1907 Tipton,
IN). Apparently Hattie died after the birth of her last child. On the
1910 Census it shows the children are living with Simon and Flurett in
Wabash. That is why I think she is probably buried near her parents.
The family has no idea as to what happened to Hattie and her husband
Joseph (Joe).

On 11/11/1912, Henriette and Leon were admitted to Bellefair Jewish
Children's Bureau and Fluerett, the grandmother, raised Miriam.
According to Bellefair, the handwritting on an old register notes "the
girl age 12, boy age 10, Mother dead". I have copies of their
admittance cards, but nothing else. Henriette and Leon where both
discharged to their grandmother, Mrs. Simon Meyer when they reached the
age of 16.

* Eda (Edith), born 1877
* Leon (Leo) Meyer, born 1880, he is listed as a hatter in the
1914-1915 Wabash City & Cnty Directory & Gaz. *
Joseph (Joe), born 2/14/1883

Hoping some kind genner can steer me in the right direction.

Thank you,

Andrea Shafer Weinberg
St. Petersburg, FL

I have had success with finding obituaries in a couple of different local
Jewish Newspapers but none of these have been indexed or available on the
internet.
The Modern View - 1901-1943
Missouri Jewish Post - 1948- ?
The St. Louis Jewish Light - 1947-Current

The St. Louis Jewish Light did not always have lifecycle information, they
added this information in the late 1950's or early 1960's.

I am researching the following:
Chaifitz, Finkelstein - Finnley, Goldberg, Karetsky, Keller, Kohner,
Lazarus, Malkin, Salsberg - Salzberg, Schwartz, Vinecor - Vinocor - Vinocar,
Rabinowitz - Robbins, Raiffie - Raffie - Roffer, Warshasky, Zavodnik -
Zavodnick

Warren Rabinowitz
mrfbstl@...

I have had success with finding obituaries in a couple of different local
Jewish Newspapers but none of these have been indexed or available on the
internet.
The Modern View - 1901-1943
Missouri Jewish Post - 1948- ?
The St. Louis Jewish Light - 1947-Current

The St. Louis Jewish Light did not always have lifecycle information, they
added this information in the late 1950's or early 1960's.

I am researching the following:
Chaifitz, Finkelstein - Finnley, Goldberg, Karetsky, Keller, Kohner,
Lazarus, Malkin, Salsberg - Salzberg, Schwartz, Vinecor - Vinocor - Vinocar,
Rabinowitz - Robbins, Raiffie - Raffie - Roffer, Warshasky, Zavodnik -
Zavodnick

Warren Rabinowitz
mrfbstl@...

Naomi Fatouros wrote:

On Oct.1, 2004 Tom Chatt (tomchatt@...) said he was "curious
about any examples of non-Jews "marrying in" to the Jewish community, or
perhaps children of "out-marriages" returning to the fold? Did this ever
happen? I'm sure there may be some interesting stories there."

As I recently told members of Jewishgen's Ukraine SIG, I have just
finished reading ChaeRan Y. Freeze's "Jewish Marriage and Divorce
in Imperial Russia," Brandeis University Press, 2002. As does her
husband Gregory, Professor Freeze teaches at Brandeis, and both
Freezes are excellent scholars of Russian history. ChaeRan's
fascinating book includes some discussion of the problems
arising >from intermarriages in Tsarist Russia. One of the worst of those
problems was the strong possibility that a divorcee of a Christian
could lose her residency rights resulting in would in the loss of her
education in the city's gymnasia or universities, and ability to find work
in her profession. A Christian wife could also suffer the consequences
of her marriage to or divorce >from a Jew. If there were children in the
marriage or children brought to second marriages between Jews and
non-Jews, their status and rights could also be compromised.

It should be mentioned, however, that the information >from the book of
ChaeRan Y. Freeze should be defined more precisely. The laws of the Empire
completely and unconditionely prohibited marriages between believers of
Judaism (or non-Christians in general) and Greek Orthodoxy. As a
consequence of this law -, if only one of Jewish spouses converted to the
Orthodox religion, he or she could request the divorce of the marriage,
though it was not obligatory. The Catholics also could not marry Jews in
Russia.

It was possible for Jews to marry Ev. Lutherans. The permission of
consistory was needed for this marriage. Practically such marriage could
happen only in Kurland's province where most people were Lutherans. This
province did not belong to the Pale. Jews of the Pale lived in the
environment of Orthodox or Catholics and never married them. I do not know
any statistics, but it seems that Lutheran and Jewish marriages in the
Russia Empire happened very seldom. In fact, I do not know any marriage of a
non-converted Jew with a Christian woman or vice versa. One of the reasons
for conversion could be a wish to marry a Christian, which really happened.

In this connection the story of the marriage of Mihail Gershenzon, an
author, and Maria Goldenveizer (Goldenweiser) told in the memoirs of their
daughter Natalia could be interesting. Maria and Mihail felt in love (it
happened in St. Petersbourg), but could not marry, because Maria was born in
a family of Jews converted to the Orthodox religion. Mihail was a Jew and
principally did not want to convert. Maria could not convert to Judaism,
because it was prohibited by the laws of the Empire to leave the Orthodox
Church. So they began to live together illegaly what was not common at that
time. Fortunately enough, in 1905 the Tsar declared religious freedom, and
it became possible to change religious affiliation freely. Maria converted
to Lutheran religion, they married, and Mihail adopted his own children, who
remained Orthodox. As the result, in their family three different religions
peacefully lived together.

The divorcee of a Christian (Lutheran) really could lose her residency
rights, but the divorce could not affect her education. Married or divorced
ladies never studied in gymnasia, women were not enrolled in universities of
Russia at all, whatever was their religion.

The short answer to the initial question of Tom Chatt: "Any non-Jews in your
old-world family tree?" should be the following - "Nobody in the branch from
the Russia Empire". More detailed answer should include converts and their
possibility to marry other Christians.

Additional (and I believe much more credible information than in the above
mentioned book) can be found in my home page Roots=Saknes
www.roots-saknes.lv/Ethnicities/Jews/Pales/Pales.htm
marriage legislation is considered in another page
http://www.roots-saknes.lv/Marriage/Laws/Betrothal_and_marriage.htm


Sincerely, Bruno

Bruno Martuzans
Riga, Latvia

Naomi Fatouros wrote:

On Oct.1, 2004 Tom Chatt (tomchatt@...) said he was "curious
about any examples of non-Jews "marrying in" to the Jewish community, or
perhaps children of "out-marriages" returning to the fold? Did this ever
happen? I'm sure there may be some interesting stories there."

As I recently told members of Jewishgen's Ukraine SIG, I have just
finished reading ChaeRan Y. Freeze's "Jewish Marriage and Divorce
in Imperial Russia," Brandeis University Press, 2002. As does her
husband Gregory, Professor Freeze teaches at Brandeis, and both
Freezes are excellent scholars of Russian history. ChaeRan's
fascinating book includes some discussion of the problems
arising >from intermarriages in Tsarist Russia. One of the worst of those
problems was the strong possibility that a divorcee of a Christian
could lose her residency rights resulting in would in the loss of her
education in the city's gymnasia or universities, and ability to find work
in her profession. A Christian wife could also suffer the consequences
of her marriage to or divorce >from a Jew. If there were children in the
marriage or children brought to second marriages between Jews and
non-Jews, their status and rights could also be compromised.

It should be mentioned, however, that the information >from the book of
ChaeRan Y. Freeze should be defined more precisely. The laws of the Empire
completely and unconditionely prohibited marriages between believers of
Judaism (or non-Christians in general) and Greek Orthodoxy. As a
consequence of this law -, if only one of Jewish spouses converted to the
Orthodox religion, he or she could request the divorce of the marriage,
though it was not obligatory. The Catholics also could not marry Jews in
Russia.

It was possible for Jews to marry Ev. Lutherans. The permission of
consistory was needed for this marriage. Practically such marriage could
happen only in Kurland's province where most people were Lutherans. This
province did not belong to the Pale. Jews of the Pale lived in the
environment of Orthodox or Catholics and never married them. I do not know
any statistics, but it seems that Lutheran and Jewish marriages in the
Russia Empire happened very seldom. In fact, I do not know any marriage of a
non-converted Jew with a Christian woman or vice versa. One of the reasons
for conversion could be a wish to marry a Christian, which really happened.

In this connection the story of the marriage of Mihail Gershenzon, an
author, and Maria Goldenveizer (Goldenweiser) told in the memoirs of their
daughter Natalia could be interesting. Maria and Mihail felt in love (it
happened in St. Petersbourg), but could not marry, because Maria was born in
a family of Jews converted to the Orthodox religion. Mihail was a Jew and
principally did not want to convert. Maria could not convert to Judaism,
because it was prohibited by the laws of the Empire to leave the Orthodox
Church. So they began to live together illegaly what was not common at that
time. Fortunately enough, in 1905 the Tsar declared religious freedom, and
it became possible to change religious affiliation freely. Maria converted
to Lutheran religion, they married, and Mihail adopted his own children, who
remained Orthodox. As the result, in their family three different religions
peacefully lived together.

The divorcee of a Christian (Lutheran) really could lose her residency
rights, but the divorce could not affect her education. Married or divorced
ladies never studied in gymnasia, women were not enrolled in universities of
Russia at all, whatever was their religion.

The short answer to the initial question of Tom Chatt: "Any non-Jews in your
old-world family tree?" should be the following - "Nobody in the branch from
the Russia Empire". More detailed answer should include converts and their
possibility to marry other Christians.

Additional (and I believe much more credible information than in the above
mentioned book) can be found in my home page Roots=Saknes
www.roots-saknes.lv/Ethnicities/Jews/Pales/Pales.htm
marriage legislation is considered in another page
http://www.roots-saknes.lv/Marriage/Laws/Betrothal_and_marriage.htm


Sincerely, Bruno

Bruno Martuzans
Riga, Latvia

I am a descendant of a rabbi >from Koszeg, Hungary, that was called
Guns during the Austro-Hungarian Empire. The rabbi (whose name I
don't know) was therefore named the Rabbi of Guns (in Hungarian it
is written Gunsz). Does anyone know how I can get some information
about that rabbi?

Thanks
Nava Giron
mailto:nava105@...

I am a descendant of a rabbi >from Koszeg, Hungary, that was called
Guns during the Austro-Hungarian Empire. The rabbi (whose name I
don't know) was therefore named the Rabbi of Guns (in Hungarian it
is written Gunsz). Does anyone know how I can get some information
about that rabbi?

Thanks
Nava Giron
mailto:nava105@...

Some of you may already know about the newly opened "Galicia Jewish Museum"
in Krakov. (If not, see their home page and also their listing of events- at
http://www.galiciajewishmuseum.org/en/index.html)

I wrote to the Director and asked for their definition of Galicia. He
replied that all of Galicia is within their domain, although the current
photo exhibit covers only those parts of Galicia within current Polish
borders.

I am wondering if anyone has visited this museum and if so, what pertinent
genealogical information can be found there. I consider "pertinent" to
include lifestyles of our ancestors.

Thank you,
Joan Baronberg, Denver, CO
FRIEDMAN, WEISSER, MESTER, GERSTENBLITH
Suchostav, Slobodka bei Strusov, Ukraine

Some of you may already know about the newly opened "Galicia Jewish Museum"
in Krakov. (If not, see their home page and also their listing of events- at
http://www.galiciajewishmuseum.org/en/index.html)

I wrote to the Director and asked for their definition of Galicia. He
replied that all of Galicia is within their domain, although the current
photo exhibit covers only those parts of Galicia within current Polish
borders.

I am wondering if anyone has visited this museum and if so, what pertinent
genealogical information can be found there. I consider "pertinent" to
include lifestyles of our ancestors.

Thank you,
Joan Baronberg, Denver, CO
FRIEDMAN, WEISSER, MESTER, GERSTENBLITH
Suchostav, Slobodka bei Strusov, Ukraine

Hi, I need an update on where I can find the Berlin
Jewish Year book >from 1938 or 1939. Last time I read
in the group's archive, it was only in the Leo Baeck
Institute. Is there another copy anywhere else?

Also, how can I search the 1938 or 9 census records? Thanks,

Miriam Ferber, miferber@... Tel Aviv, Israel

Hi, I need an update on where I can find the Berlin
Jewish Year book >from 1938 or 1939. Last time I read
in the group's archive, it was only in the Leo Baeck
Institute. Is there another copy anywhere else?

Also, how can I search the 1938 or 9 census records? Thanks,

Miriam Ferber, miferber@... Tel Aviv, Israel

A Happy and Healthy New Year to all. It is always surprising that we
are able to add new material in a busy month with preparations for
Rosh HaShana and Yom Kippur and then Succot, but we seem always to do
it. In September we added four new entries and eight updates.

New entries:

-Pinkas HaKehillot Lita

-Baisogola, Lithuania
-Teverai, Lithuania
-Zemaiciu Kalvariaya, Lithuania

-Bukowina, Geschichte der Juden in der Bukowina : "Jewish Sport in
Bukovina" >from volume 1, pages 167 to 172

Updates:

-Dabrowa Gornicza, Poland
-Derechin, Belarus
-Druzhkopol, Ukraine
-Holocaust in Belarus
-Marghita, Romania
-Radzyn, Poland
-Rejowiec, Poland
-Ropczyce, Poland

Thanks again to all our contributors, who took the time during a busy
month to submit translations and to our wonderful staff who worked on
these materials during the holiday month.

All our translations can be accessed at
http://www.jewishgen.org/Yizkor/translations.html. The yizkor book
database, http://www.jewishgen.org/Yizkor/database.html, has a
variety of information for researchers. When you search for a
particular book you will get a description of the yizkor books for
that location, a list of major libraries that have these books, and
links to translations on the yizkor book project website.

Joyce Field
Yizkor Book Project Manager
jfield@...

A Happy and Healthy New Year to all. It is always surprising that we
are able to add new material in a busy month with preparations for
Rosh HaShana and Yom Kippur and then Succot, but we seem always to do
it. In September we added four new entries and eight updates.

New entries:

-Pinkas HaKehillot Lita

-Baisogola, Lithuania
-Teverai, Lithuania
-Zemaiciu Kalvariaya, Lithuania

-Bukowina, Geschichte der Juden in der Bukowina : "Jewish Sport in
Bukovina" >from volume 1, pages 167 to 172

Updates:

-Dabrowa Gornicza, Poland
-Derechin, Belarus
-Druzhkopol, Ukraine
-Holocaust in Belarus
-Marghita, Romania
-Radzyn, Poland
-Rejowiec, Poland
-Ropczyce, Poland

Thanks again to all our contributors, who took the time during a busy
month to submit translations and to our wonderful staff who worked on
these materials during the holiday month.

All our translations can be accessed at
http://www.jewishgen.org/Yizkor/translations.html. The yizkor book
database, http://www.jewishgen.org/Yizkor/database.html, has a
variety of information for researchers. When you search for a
particular book you will get a description of the yizkor books for
that location, a list of major libraries that have these books, and
links to translations on the yizkor book project website.

Joyce Field
Yizkor Book Project Manager
jfield@...

Hello GerSig,
I just joined the group. I have been doing genealogy research for many years.
I consider myself to be a novice in doing German Jewish Genealogy research.
I live in Tel Aviv, Israel. My native language is English and Hebrew (bi-lingual).
I consider myself intermediate in using a computer.  My experience in using the
Internet is extensive.

I have identified the names and of my grandparents,
but birth and death dates of none.

My primary research goals now are to find vital records of my father and
grandparents, but not further back, since they came >from Poland. So, I'm not a
real German "Yekke".

The family names and towns that I am researching are: 
FAERBER or FARBER or FERBER - Berlin, between the
period after WWI to ca. 1942.
Seeking birth and marriage certificates, immigration
and other records such as citizenship, property
registrations, and other such records.  

Miriam Ferber, miferber@... Tel Aviv, Israel

Hello GerSig,
I just joined the group. I have been doing genealogy research for many years.
I consider myself to be a novice in doing German Jewish Genealogy research.
I live in Tel Aviv, Israel. My native language is English and Hebrew (bi-lingual).
I consider myself intermediate in using a computer.  My experience in using the
Internet is extensive.

I have identified the names and of my grandparents,
but birth and death dates of none.

My primary research goals now are to find vital records of my father and
grandparents, but not further back, since they came >from Poland. So, I'm not a
real German "Yekke".

The family names and towns that I am researching are: 
FAERBER or FARBER or FERBER - Berlin, between the
period after WWI to ca. 1942.
Seeking birth and marriage certificates, immigration
and other records such as citizenship, property
registrations, and other such records.  

Miriam Ferber, miferber@... Tel Aviv, Israel

In order to get my father's birth cirtificate, I need
to write to the correct bezirksaemte in Berlin. As I
understand it, there are 23 of them there.

Since I know his last address, I followed a previous
message's advice, and searched the street in the
following website: www.stadtplandienst.de. However, I
received 4 results:

Ergebnisse 1 - 4 von 4LZ)

Schönhauser Allee Prenzlauer Berg, Weißensee und Pankow (10437)

Schönhauser Allee Prenzlauer Berg, Weißensee und Pankow (10435)

Schönhauser Allee Prenzlauer Berg, Weißensee und Pankow (10119)

Schönhauser Allee Prenzlauer Berg, Weißensee und Pankow (10439)

My questions are as follows:
1. How do I know which line to use?
2. How do I know which bezirksaemte to write to? Thanks,

Miriam Ferber miferber@... Tel Aviv, Israel

In order to get my father's birth cirtificate, I need
to write to the correct bezirksaemte in Berlin. As I
understand it, there are 23 of them there.

Since I know his last address, I followed a previous
message's advice, and searched the street in the
following website: www.stadtplandienst.de. However, I
received 4 results:

Ergebnisse 1 - 4 von 4LZ)

Schönhauser Allee Prenzlauer Berg, Weißensee und Pankow (10437)

Schönhauser Allee Prenzlauer Berg, Weißensee und Pankow (10435)

Schönhauser Allee Prenzlauer Berg, Weißensee und Pankow (10119)

Schönhauser Allee Prenzlauer Berg, Weißensee und Pankow (10439)

My questions are as follows:
1. How do I know which line to use?
2. How do I know which bezirksaemte to write to? Thanks,

Miriam Ferber miferber@... Tel Aviv, Israel