On this day – 17th August

In 1902 Esther Feinson was born in Russia (now part of Poland) to Lewis and Cecilie Feinson. She came to England in 1904/5 with her parents and older brother Jack. She was my mother’s sister.

MY MATERNAL GRANDMOTHER

The only thing I have of any of my grandparent’s possessions, apart from a few photos, is my maternal grandmother’s Identity or Aliens Book.

This was probably issued to her in 1914 at the start of the First World War. According to this she was unable to write and signed it with a cross and a thumbprint. Whether she was actually unable to write anything, or just unable to write in English we will never know. The Book was also used after the war and during World War 2.

According to her Book she was born Cecelie Walbaum to Woolf and Sara Walbaum in Bialystok in Russia (now in Poland) probably in 1877. She married Lewis Feinson in about 1899 in Russia and came to England in about 1904 with her husband and 2 children. My mother the youngest child was born in England, as were 2 other children.

How they got to England I do not know, but in all probability they came by boat via Libau in Latvia or Hamburg in Germany.

Again according to her Book she came to England on a Russian passport, number 2176, issued by the Russian Police in Bialystok in 1904.

Aliens were required to register with their local police every time they left the area overnight and register with the local police in the area they were staying.

The 1911 Census shows the family living at 56 Lindon Buildings, Bethnal Green. In 1912 when my mother was born, they were living at 7 Whitby Street, Bethnal Green. In 1934 the family moved to 50 Graham Road, Dalston, London, E8 and in September 1940 my grandparents moved to 34 Springfield Road, Windsor where my parents and I also lived. On 8^th December 1940 my grandmother was given permission to visit 50 Graham Road until 14^th December.

She died on 18^th December 1940 in the King Edward Vll Hospital in Windsor from Cerebral Haemorrhage and Hypertension, when I was 4 years old.

COINCIDENCE

Looking in the diary, I noticed that a year ago (or to be precise 52 weeks ago on Sunday) we attended the wedding of the daughter of close friends.

The wedding ceremony (Chupa) took place in an Orthodox Synagogue in North West London. The Chupa was a wonderful occasion and the Rabbi in his speech to the newlyweds managed to bring in the disappointment the whole country felt at England being knocked out of the World Cup by Germany.

After the Chupa we then had to drive to the outskirts of North London to a restaurant where the reception and dinner and dance were being held.

It was a very hot day and the reception was held in the open air.

Following the reception we all (about 120) went to the function room which was above the restaurant. 

We were seated at round tables of 10, and all those on our table were friends we had known for over 30 years. Unfortunately one couple couldn’t make it because of illness so the table was only set for 8.

We were having our starter, when the head waiter came over and asked my wife Diane if she minded if they put someone next her as we had room on our table. Obviously Diane said to was ok.

We were then joined by, to me, a young woman in her early 40’s named Lisa. She explained to Diane that she lived in Brighton, and that a friend of hers, who was a friend of the bridegroom, had been invited with her son. The son couldn’t make it, and she had asked Lisa to go with her so that she wouldn’t have to travel on her own. It so happened that the son was supposed to sit on the children’s table and that’s why Lisa ended up next to Diane.

My wife, always on the look out to matchmake, although our 3 sons are all married, asked Lisa about herself. She said that she was a widow with 2 teenage daughters and found it very hard to meet Jewish men in Brighton. She stayed in Brighton only because her parents lived there.

Hearing part of the conversation, a sudden thought passed my mind. I leaned across and asked Lisa what her surname was. The answer she gave meant nothing to me. I then asked what her maiden name was. The answer was Feinson, and I replied that her dad Paul was my first cousin and that Paul’s dad and my mum were brother and sister. Lisa immediately phoned her dad, who I hadn’t seen for a few years.

I  know it’s a long story, but the amazing think is that she could have been put on any table and anywhere on our table.

Surnames continued

The next batch of surnames relating to direct ancestors, covers E - H

Emanuel – this line starts (and ends) with Rebecca Emanuel who married Jacob Martin (Nunes Martines) in London in 1796. She is Diane’s 3 x greatgrandmother.

Fienson – Feinson – this line starts with my maternal grandfather who was born in Bialystock and came to England about 1904.

Fernandez – Fernandez de la Penha – this line starts with Franciscus Fernandez de la Penha who was born in Spain in 1550. He is Diane’s 10 x greatgrandfather.

Godalski – Gold – this line starts with my paternal greatgrandfather Solomon Godalski who born in Warsaw and came to England about 1880.

Gomez – this line starts (and ends) with Abigail Gomez born 1629, who married David de la Penha Castro in 1664. She is Diane’s 8 x greatgrandmother

Hart – this line starts with Meir Hart who is Diane’s maternal 3 x greatgrandfather