On this day – 8th June

In 1891 Dora Godalski was born, at home at 44 Brick Lane, Mile End, to Solomon Godalski and Yetta Miller. She was one of eleven children.

In the 1901 census she is shown living with her parents and her 10 brothers and sisters at 106 Brownlow Hill, Liverpool..

In the 1911 census she was back in Whitechapel, London with her mother and 2 brothers and 3 sisters. Her father died in 1910 and 2 brothers and 3 sisters were married.

She married Harry Belson on 25^th April 1925. Their first child Simon was my father. They had 5 children in total.

My grandfather Harry died in 1947 and my grandmother remarried. She died about 1955.

In 1941 my brother Michael Jeffrey Belson died of TB aged 10 months. I was 4 years old at the time and have no recollection of him and my parents never ever mentioned him to me, or my sister.

On this day – 4th June

In 1861 Sarah Betan (Bittan) was born in Whitechapel to Joshua Betan (Bittan) and Phoebe Martin (Nunes Martinez). She was the youngest of 11 children and was the sister of Benjamin Bittan who is my wife Diane’s maternal great grandfather.

She married Abraham (Alfred) Levy on 9^th March 1880 at the Princes Street Synagogue, London. They had 7 children

In the 1891 & 1901 census’s she is shown as living with husband and children at 84 Oxford Street, Whitechapel and in 1911 living at 20 Alderney Road, Mile End. London.

Sarah died on 15^th January 1912, aged 51, in London. 

Jewish Chronicle Announcements on her death-

Levy -- In ever loving memory of our darling wife and mother Sarah Levy who departed this life on Jan 15th 1912. Gone but not forgotten. G-d rest her dear soul in peace. Amen. From her ever loving husband, Abraham, daughter and son, Fanny and Sam 20 Alderney road, Mile End E.

Levy - in ever loving and lasting memory of my darling mother Sarah Levy who passed away on Jan 15th 1912. Sadly missed by her son, daughter in law and grandchildren. May G-d rest her dear soul in peace. Amen - Mr. Ralph Levy 77 Harford street, Mile End, E.

Levy - In ever loving memory of my dearly beloved mother Sarah Levy who departed this life on Jan 15th 1912, Sadly missed by her daughter, son in law and grandchildren. May G-d rest her dear soul in peace amen - Mrs. N. Crabb 44 Great Queen St. Kingsway WC.

Levy - in ever loving memory of my dearly beloved mother Sarah Levy who departed this life on Jan 15th 1912. Sadly missed by her daughter Dinah. May G-d rest her dear soul in peace Amen, Mrs. G. Cohn 148 W. 143rd street NYC USA. American papers please copy.

Levy - in ever loving memory of my darling mother Sarah Levy who passed away Jan 15th 1912, Deeply mourned by her loving daughter and son in law, Mr. and Mrs, Lawrence Lazarus, 35 British Street, Bow

With many thanks to Brian Whipp and his family history website which can be found at http://www.whippfamily.co.uk/

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.