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.

My Paternal Family

My father’s paternal grandparents Joseph & Leah Balsom came to England about 1888/89 from a part of Russia that is now in Poland. They were probably already married when they left Russia. The reason for leaving Russia was probably due to the “pogroms” against the Jews.

Leah was born Leah Malnick and was born about 1863. Joseph was born about 1862.

The surname Balsom was traced from the 1891, 1901 and 1911 censuses, but I can find no other reference to this surname, although some children were registered with it. My father never mentioned it and I don’t think he was aware of it.

On 23 May 1890 Joseph and Leah had their first child, Harry who is my grandfather. The birth was registered as Harry Balzum. The family were living at 14 Nottingham Place, Mile End.

At the time of the 1891 Census, which was held on the 5^th April, the family was living at 11 Anna Place, Whitechapel, above a Furniture shop. Joseph’s employment is shown as “Carpenter”.

In 1892, Ada Belson was born in Whitechapel

In 1895, Sarah Bulsom was born in Whitechapel

In 1897, Fanny Balsom was born in Whitechapel

In 1901, Myer (David) Balsom was born in Stepney

At the time of the 1901 Census, which was held on the 31^st March, the family was living at 110 Stepney Green Buildings, Stepney. Joseph’s employment is shown as “Cabinet Maker”.

In 1902, Rose Bolsam was born in Stepney

In 1903, Eve Balsom was born in Stepney

In 1905, Pincus Balsom was born in Stepney

In 1907, Annie Bellson was born in Stepney

At the time of the 1911 Census, which was held on the 2^nd April, the family was living at 30 Dunstan Houses, Stepney. Joseph’s employment is shown as “Cabinet Maker”. Harry is also shown as a Cabinet Maker, Ada as a Clerk/Bookkeeper and Sarah as an Underclothing Machinist. The rest of the children are shown as Schoolchildren except for Annie who was only 4 years old.

Surnames Continued

The next batch of surnames relating to direct ancestors, covers I - M

Isaacs – this line starts with John Isaacs born in London in 1796. He is Diane’s 2 x great grandfather.

Joshua – this line starts (and ends) with Eve Joshua who married John Isaacs (see above) in the Hambro Synagogue, London in 1819. She is Diane’s 2 x great grandmother.

Levy – this line starts with Yehuda Levy born about 1780. He is Diane’s 3 x greatgrandfather.

Malnick – this line starts (and ends) with Leah Malnick born in Russia in about 1863. She married my great grandfather Joseph Balsom in about 1888 probably before they came to England.

Martin - Martines – Nunes Martines – this line starts with Jose Nunes Martinez who was born 1690 and was married in Bevis Marks in 1711. He is Diane’s 6 x greatgrandfather.

Mendoza – de Mendoza- Mendosa – this line starts with Patriarch de Mendoza born about 1624 in Seville, Spain. He is Diane’s 8 x great grandfather.

Miller – this line starts (and ends) with Yetta Miller born in Russia in about 1858. She married my great grandfather Solomon Godalski in about 1877 before they came to England.

Mizrahi – this line starts (and ends) with Palmona Mizrahi who married Abraham Rodriques-Ribera. She is Diane’s 6 x great grandmother.

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

Jewish Genealogy round the World Part 3 Poland/Russia

Following Diane’s emergency operation, things are gradually getting back to normal.

I think the time has come to spend some time researching my family and Diane’s Dad’s family who all appear to have originated from “The Pale” or “White Russia” whatever name you prefer and which is now in Poland.

Over the years we have looked at numerous websites but have not so far been able to trace any of our family beyond the time they arrived in England. Some of these websites are listed below.

 

The History of Jews in Russia

http://www.friends-partners.org/partners/beyond-the-pale/index.html

This portrays the history of Jews in Europe and in Russia to help understand their life, religion and culture.

The Institute for Polish-Jewish Studies

http://www.polishjewishstudies.pl/index.html

This is a non-profit, educational institution devoted to the history and culture of Polish Jewry. It is an associated institute of the Oxford Centre for Hebrew and Jewish Studies.

Jewish Records Indexing - Poland

http://www.jri-poland.org/

The award winning searchable database of indices to Jewish records of Poland.
Launched in early 1995, JRI - Poland is the largest fully searchable database of Jewish vital records accessible online. 4 million records from more than 500 Polish towns are now indexed. More are being added every few months

Lodz Area Research Group (LARG)

http://www.shtetlinks.jewishgen.org/Lodz/LARG.htm

The Group aims to provide researchers with a forum, clearinghouse and resource for the collection and dissemination of genealogical and historical information relating to the Jewish communities of Lodz, Poland, and the surrounding area. This research group is dedicated to the rescue and preservation of materials relating to the Jewish communities of the Lodz area and as a living memorial to our ancestors' impact on, and contribution to Poland's second largest city

Jewish Genealogical Resources in England (D to J)

Couldn't think of any from D to I but here goes with J

JCR-UK (Jewish Communities and Records - United Kingdom)

http://www.jewishgen.org/JCR-UK/

This website contains some 5,000 pages including details of more than 1,200 congregations and includes current communities and those that no longer exist.

A joint project between the Jewish Genealogical Society of Great Britain and JewishGen

JEWISH EAST END CELEBRATION SOCIETY

http://www.jeecs.org.uk/index.html

Their aim is to raise awareness of the history and culture of London's Jewish East End, to preserve what remains and record what has now gone.

JEWISH EAST END OF LONDON PHOTO GALLERY

http://www.jewisheastend.com/london.html

London's East End Synagogues, cemeteries and more. 

JEWISH GENEALOGICAL SOCIETY OF GREAT BRITAIN

http://www.jgsgb.org.uk/

The JGSGB promotes and encourages the study of Jewish genealogy. It assists all those tracing the family history of their Jewish ancestors. It encourages Jewish genealogical education and research and promote the indexing, transcription and preservation of old records.

The first thing I want to say is that I am very lazy. I think I should rename my blog “The Lazy Genealogist”. Jennifer Shoer at The Scrappy Genealogist very kindly sent me the Ancestor Approved Award, which was begun by Leslie Ann at Ancestors Live Here. She did this on 15^th January and it has taken me till now to respond.

I must admit that I had not come across this award before but it is a great idea. So firstly thanks to Leslie Ann for coming up with the idea and secondly thanks to Jennifer Shoer for thinking of my blog. I know that “An English Jewish Family’s quest for their roots” is a bit of a mouthful but it seemed a good idea at the time and I hope you find it interesting.

The award asks the recipient to list ten things learnt about any of their ancestors that have surprised, humbled or enlightened them. It also asks the recipient to pass the award along to ten other bloggers who they feel are doing their ancestors proud.

So firstly my ancestors and I include my wife Diane’s ancestors in this:

1. I have found that I know nothing about my ancestors prior to them coming to England in the late 19^th century from what was then Russia and is now Poland.
2. Similarly we know nothing about Diane’s father’s family prior to them coming to England about the same time and from the same area.
3. Diane’s maternal grandmother Dinah was Sephardi.
4. Diane’s Sephardi line has been in England for over 300 years.
5. The first recorded marriage in Diane’s family in England was in 1697 in Bevis Marks Synagogue.
6. Diane is distantly related to the actor Peter Sellers, to the first “scientific” boxer Daniel Mendoza and to Rufus Isaacs, first Marquess of Reading and Viceroy of India. 
7. My oldest grandson is a firstborn child as is his father, as I am, as my father was and his father was. Not sure if it means anything but we had a Pidyon Haben for my oldest son and for my oldest grandson.
8. I found that I had a brother who died at the age of 10 months when I was 4 years old.
9. Diane has ancestors from Italy, Spain, Gibraltar, Holland, Argentina, Morocco, Russia and of course England.
10. Diane and I have found cousins so far in Australia and the USA.

Secondly bloggers that I respect. Jennifer obviously has very similar tastes in blogging to me, since 4 of her awards are to blogs on my reading list. So here goes:

1. dearmyrtles-genealogy-blog at http://blog.dearmyrtle.com/
2. Dick Eastmans online genealogy blog and newsletter at http://blog.eogn.com/
3. Geneamusings at http://www.geneamusings.com/
4. Geneabloggers at http://www.geneabloggers.com/
5. Genealogy Blog at http://www.genealogyblog.com/
6. Genealogy Star at http://genealogysstar.blogspot.com/
7. Ancestry Insider at http://ancestryinsider.blogspot.com/
8. Blundering Blindly Backwards at http://blunderingblindlybackwards.blogspot.com/. I wish that I had thought of this name. It sums up everything I do.
9. You Don’t Choose Your Family at http://mikeydawson.wordpress.com/
10. The Wandering Genealogist at http://wanderinggenealogist.wordpress.com/

Times are changing

My mother’s parents were born in Russia but my mother never ever went on holiday outside of England. My father also never travelled outside of England.

How time changes things.

On Saturday, London was hit with, for us, fairly heavy snow. Enough for me not being able to go to football (that’s soccer for those of you outside Europe) and see my team Arsenal. Also enough to bring our transport system to a virtual halt.

On Sunday, my number 1 son (I have 3 of them) was due to fly to Tel Aviv from Heathrow for a meeting. The flight was cancelled but he managed to get a flight from Luton and arrived in Israel about 6 hours later than originally expected. He flew home on Wednesday.

On Monday, number 3 son was due to fly to Frankfurt from Heathrow for a meeting. The flight was cancelled so he couldn’t travel. On Wednesday he fly to Tenerife with his wife and their 2 children for a week’s holiday.

Next Tuesday, number 1 son together with his wife and 1 of their 2 sons is also going to Tenerife for a week’s holiday.

Number 2 son and his wife are not going anywhere, nor are we.

Growing up after the war one could never imagine the increase in air travel that has occurred.

This has nothing to do with Family History, but it shows how what was once a dream becomes part of everyday life. Television, colour television, Sky Plus, games consoles, computers, laptop computers, mobile phones, Iphone, Blackberry.

The list is endless and my younger grandchildren could not envisage life without them and wonder how my generation survived without them. What we didn't have, we didn't miss.

When is a census not a census

Much has been made of the release of the 1911 UK Census. There is, however, a much later “Census” that you can obtain information from, at a cost, so long as the person you want information on is dead.

On 29 September 1939 a National Registration of the civilian population of England and Wales was taken in order to issue identity cards as a result of outbreak of World War II. Members of the Armed Forces were not listed as they had already been called up for military service.

The National Registration Act 1939, which covers the registration is not a census and is therefore not subject to the 1920 Census Act. The register contains personal details including name, date of birth, occupation, marriage status and address.

The information in the register is of interest because the 1931 census has not survived and a census could not be carried out in 1941.

The cost of an application for information is £42 and this will not be refunded, even if the search is unsuccessful.

The register is maintained by the National Health Service Information Centre. Full information on how to apply for information, and the terms and conditions applicable can be found at:

www.ic.nhs.uk/services/1939-register-service

My wife's family

My wife Diane’s family were Ashkenazi Jews and her mother was born Leah (Lily) Hart. We were both surprised when we found out that Diane’s grandmother Dinah Bittan, was from a Sephardi family. Our 3 sons now want to know if they can have rice at Pesach. The Hart side I have traced back to Diane’s 3 x great grandfather Meir Hart born about 1770.

The Bittan side linked with the Nunes Martinez family in 1834 and with the Mendoza family in 1764 when Abigail Mendoza born in London in 1744 married Isaac Nunes Martines born in London in 1745.

Abigail Mendoza’s father Aaron was born in Amsterdam in 1709 and probably came to England about 1730. Aaron’s father Daniel Mendoza was born in Seville in Spain in 1685. Daniel’s father David was also born in Seville in Spain in 1650. In 1685 he married Abigail Castro de la Penta in Holland. Abigail was born in Seville in Spain in 1665.

David Mendoza’s father the Patriarch de Mendoza was born in Seville in Spain in 1624 and the trail ends there for the time being. Abigail’s family can be traced back to her great grandparents Franciscus Fernandes de la Penta born 1550 in Spain and Bianca Fernandes born 1558 in Spain who married in 1579.

The search continues.

In the beginning

When I first started out on, to quote Tony Blair, “A Journey”, it was in the days of the Commodore 64 and continuous printing paper with green lines.

Over the years I have started and “rested” rather than “stopped” my research numerous times, but I always come back to it. Researching family history has a fascination, which never seem to leave you once you are hooked.

My biggest regrets are not questioning my parents and my in-laws enough before they passed on. I lost the opportunity to find out more about the past. Their lives, where they lived, where they went to school and what they knew of their parents lives. Much of this information is probably lost forever. My research has helped to fill in some of the gaps but not all.

When I started out I knew that my mother’s parents were born and married in Russia (now Poland) and came to England about 1905 with 2 children. My mother was born in London. My father’s parents had the same background although they were both born and married here. Their parents came here around 1880.

My wife parents were both born in England. Her father’s parents came to this country from Russia as an engaged couple with his grandparents. On her mother’s side my wife was brought up believing that her family had been in England for over 200 years. It was therefore this part of our family that I have spent the most time researching and have now been able to trace it back to the 1550’s in Spain. Her ancestors seem to have arrived in England in the early 1700’s.