These families came to Fitchburg, Gardner, Athol, Worcester in western Massachusetts starting around 1907.  The Friedson's moved on to Springfield and some of the Aisenberg's moved to Leomister.  I know through DNA and family stories and pictures that the Friedson's and Aisenberg's were cousins.  Samurin was an alternative name used in Pinsk and may or may not have been used here.  We cannot find out how the families are related and would appreciate any and all help.

My second question is why did Jews settle in that area.

Thanks for the help,
Bob Silverstein
bobsilverstein@...

<<These families came to Fitchburg, Gardner, Athol, Worcester in western Massachusetts starting around 1907.  The Friedson's moved on to Springfield and some of the Aisenberg's moved to Leomister...why did Jews settle in that area.>>

Bob,

My guess would be industry.  These areas were all riverside industrial centers in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, and they attracted many immigrants to work in the mills.   Gardner was the "furniture capital of New England."  Leominster was known for its comb industry (and later, plastics).  Fitchburg was on a rail line between Boston and Albany, and machine tools, clothing, and paper were all produced there.  Textiles and leather were among the goods made in Athol.  Immigrants probably managed or owned some of the factories, too. 

BTW, I wouldn't characterize these cities as being in western Massachusetts, but rather north-central Massachusetts.  

Ellen Morosoff Pemrick



--
Researching WEISSMAN/VAYSMAN (Ostropol, Ukraine); MOROZ and ESTRIN/ESTERKIN (Shklov & Bykhov, Belarus); LESSER/LESZEROVITZ, MAIMAN, and BARNETT/BEINHART/BERNHART (Lithuania/Latvia); and ROSENSWEIG/ROSENZWEIG, KIRSCHEN, and SCHWARTZ (Botosani, Romania)

I agree with Ellen on both counts.  Last I checked, there is still a synagogue in Athol--maybe it has some records. The one in Gardner closed a few years ago.  These were and are both small towns.  You can check my synagogue chart on jgsgb.org for more information.
Carol Isenberg Clingan

Hi Ellen and Carol,

Thanks for your inputs.  The jgsgb site has good information.  It has a history of Jews in Massachusetts that elaborates on Ellen's comment.  It also cites the book Water Street by Norma Feingold.  I requested it from my library.

The synagogue list is useful because it points to where records may now exist.  I hope not too much has changed since it was published.  Athol does have a synagogue going back to the 1920's and I contacted them already.

Once again, many thanks for the leads,
Bob

Bob:  The Jewish Heritage Center, American Ancestors (New England Historic Genealogical Society) has, among its holdings, a number of archival synagogue records.  Included is a synagogue from Gardner, MA, Cong. Ohave Sholom.
 http://digitalcollections.americanancestors.org/cdm/landingpage/collection/p15869coll3

David Rosen
Boston, MA

Hi David,

I could not find the families.  That shul's records do not seem to go back to the 20's.  Thanks for the suggestion.

Bob