Nathan Dobrofsky (1873 - 1950)

Nathan Dobrofsky is the brother-in-law of Sarah Ann Levin, my 2x great aunt. Helfet family HERE. Dobrofsky family HERE

Parents: Nachum Benzion Dubrowski (1845 - 1902) and Rosa Tander (1844 - 1918)

Tombstones for his parents Nachum Benzion Dubrowski and Rosa Hinda Dubrofsky. Nachum is buried in the Rice Lane Cemetery, Liverpool, England and Rosa in the Mount Carmel Cemetery, Sioux City, Iowa, USA

Born: 14 March 1873 (as per his WW1 draft registration document) in Mena, Sosnitsa, Chernigov in the Russian Empire, nowadays Mina, Chernihiv, Ukraine. On his death certificate his date of birth is given as 14 March 1872

Siblings

• Sarah Dobrofsky (1869 - 1951) married Barnett Charles (Boruch) Shubb (1891 - 1918) before 1891
• Hyman Dobrofsky (1872 - 1918) married Sarah Nepomnickcha (1872 - 1948) before 1898
• Katherine (Kalia) Dobrofsky (1877 - 1963) married Charles (Hatskel) Shubb (1879 - 1920) in 1901
• Rachel (Broche) Dobrofsky (1882 - 1961) married Barnett Ginsburg (1882 - 1960) in 1903
• Jacob (Jake) Dobrofsky (1883 - 1967) married Esther Helfet (1886 - 1956) in 1904

Charles and Bennett Shubb were brothers and Esther and Mary Helfet were sisters

Occupation: Cap maker and later on a grocer

Nathan listed as a grocer in a 1920 Sioux City directory

Migration: Nathan came to Liverpool, England in March 1897 when he was 24 years old. Nathan and his wife Mary then migrated to Sioux City in Iowa, USA in February 1908

Mary, age 27, Nathan age 33 and a cap maker, and their children Jacob age 6, Benjamin age 4, Leon age 2 and Barnett age 10 months, sailed aboard the SS Lucania from Liverpool on 1 February 1908 bound for  Chicago. They arrived in New York on 8 February 1908

Married: Mary Helfet in Liverpool, England in (October - December) 1899 when Nathan was was 26 and Mary 20

Children

Their first child was born in 1901 when Nathan was 28 and Mary 22. Their last child was born in 1911 when Nathan was 38 and Mary 32

• Jacob Dobrofsky (1901 - ?)
• Benjamin Dobrofsky (1902 - 1992). He married Eva Orlikoff  (1911 - 2003) in 1937
• Leon Dobrofsky (1904 - 1981). He married Bertha Newman (1912 - 2008) in 1939
• Barnett Dobrofsky (1907 - 1946). He married Vivian (1915 - ?) in 1939
• Lillian Dobrofsky (1909 - 2003). She married Abraham Berkowitz (1902 - 1994) in 1934
• Philip Dobrofsky (1911 - 2003). He married Gloria Nemirow (1914 - 1979) in 1940

Census details

1901

The family is living at 23 Warren Street, Liverpool, England. Nathan is age 25 and a cap maker on his own account. Mary is age 23 and their son Jacob is age 5 months

1920

In 1920 the family are living at 1304 west 4th street, Sioux City, Iowa, USA. Nathan is age 47 and a grocery man, Mary is age 41. The children are Jake age 19, Bennie age 17, Leon age 15, Barnett age 13, Lillian age 10 and Philip age 8

1925

In 1925 the family are still living at 1304 west 4th street, Sioux City, Iowa, USA. Nathan is age 50 and listed as owning the house. Mary is age 45. The children are Leon age 20, Barnett age 18, Lillian age 15 and Philip age 13

1930

In 1930 the family are still living at 1304 west 4th street, Sioux City, Iowa, USA. Nathan is age 53 and listed as owning the house. Mary is age 49. The children are Leon age 25, Barnett age 23, Lillian age 20 and Philip age 18

1940

In 1940 the family are still living at 1304 west 4th street, Sioux City, Iowa, USA. Nathan is age 65 and listed as owning the house and Mary is age 58

1950

In 1950 Nathan is age 76 and living with his daughter Lillian and her husband Abe Berkowitz at 225 Cook Street, Sioux City, Iowa, USA

World War I

World War 1 registration card for Nathan from 12 September 1918. He is listed as being short and of medium build with grey eyes and dark hair, going slightly bald

Biographical information

Nathan's brother, Jake Dobrofsky wrote a detailed autobiography entitled "THis is my Life", which is available HERE. Information on Nathan has been extracted from it.

Nathan was the oldest son and served nearly 4 years in the Russian army before working in the family dried fish business. Nathan, his father and sister Broche were the first members of the family to come to Liverpool, arriving in March 1897. He worked for his uncle David in a furniture manufacturing plant and became engaged to Mary in 1898 and they were married in 1899.

The family came to America in 1908 and settled in Sioux City, Iowa. Nathan went into the laundry business before becoming a driver and finally opening a grocery store

Death

27 November 1950 in Sioux City, Iowa from pneumonia. He was buried on 28 November 1950 in the Mount Carmel Cemetery in Sioux City in section B site 0116

Death certificate for Nathan

Tombstone for Nathan Dobrofsky

Place of Birth

Nathan was born in in Mena, Sosnitsa, Chernigov in the Russian Empire, nowadays Mina, Chernihiv, Ukraine

Mena is a historic town located in Chernihiv region of northern Ukraine, center of Mena district. Records from the early 19th century describe the general population in Mena at around 6,000 people. The Jewish population of this time is not mentioned but reference is made to the existence of a synagogue and another Jewish house of worship. Jews began to settle actively in Mena after the construction of the Liubavo-Romenska railway in 1873, which passed through Mena. The Liubavo-Romenska railway was one of the main routes for exporting grain from the Russian Empire. The Jews mostly lived on Shevchenko Street, which stretched from the centre of the town to the railway station.

According to the 1897 census, 6,277 people lived in Mena, more than a quarter of whom were Jews. The main activities of the Jewish population in the 19th and early 20th centuries were in trade and crafts. In 1902, the rabbi in Mena was Itshok- Isaac Lurvin (1865 -?) and in 1904-06, Shneur-Zalman Ginzburg (1876 -?).

Many Jews were involved in the purchase and resale of tobacco. Tobacco cultivation has been widespread since the 18th century, so Mena was called the capital of tobacco. This activity was pursued by small traders and merchants of the first guild, who had large warehouses in Mena. Jews would come from Mogilev, Shklov, and Gomel to buy tobacco. Before the Revolution of 1917, there were two synagogues in the town. 

Holocaust

At the war’s outbreak, many Jewish families found a way to evacuate to the east of the country. The main evacuation routes were railroads and water transport by the river Desna towards Bryansk. Those who remained in the city either had not been able to take a long journey or had been convinced of the “civilized” behavior of German soldiers. Many older adults remembered the Germans who occupied Mena in 1918 and did not want to evacuate. Also, for evacuation, money was needed, and most Jews in Mena were poor.

Nazi occupied Mena in September 8, 1941.

The German commandant’s office listed all the Jews and forced them to wear yellow circles on their clothing. After that, policemen and Germans began systematically abusing Jews, forcing them to work, beating and robbing them, and raping many Jewish women. Local non-Jews threw a gun clip into the house of a tailor named Shmerlin and reported to the Germans that he was hiding weapons. The Germans came to his home and shot the entire family.

On October 15, 1941, the Nazi units and local policemen shot 124 Jews (according to other sources, 31 Jews) at the local Jewish cemetery. The mass killing continued throughout November and December. From the night of November 30th to December 1st, 1941, the Germans began to go to Jewish homes and shoot everyone they found there. The Pergament family and many other families perished this way. Among the killed was Mones the Butcher, who was 104 years old. The local residents pointed out the Jewish homes. Part of the Jews were taken to the Jewish cemetery and shot there. There are two fraternal graves at the cemetery, one smaller and the other larger. The victims of the second, largest shooting are buried in the larger one.

On November 29, 1941 near railway bridge on the Desna River in Makoshino  50 local Jews were killed. On December 15, 1941 on the territory of the monastery in village Dominitsy of Menskiy district The Germans shot and killed 34 children from the local orphanage. Among the dead were five Jewish boys and girls. The last mass shooting that occurred in Mena was held February 2, 1942 in an open field near the road to the village, Kukuvichi.

Residences

By 1915 the family are living at 1304 West 4th Street, Sioux City, Iowa and lived there until the late 1940s. The property appears to no longer exist

In the 1950 census Nathan is listed as living with his daughter Lillian and her husband Abe Berkowitz at 225 Cook Street, Sioux City, Iowa, USA

Mary Helfet (1879 - 1948)

Mary Helfet is the sister-in-law of Sarah Ann Levin, my 2x great aunt. Helfet family HERE. Dobrofsky family HERE

Parents: Jacob Helfet (1849 - 1899) and Leah Cohen (1852 - 1898)

Tombstones for her parents Jacob Helfet and Leah Cohen. They are both buried in the Rice Lane Cemetery, Liverpool, England

Born: 20 May 1879 in Chernuch, Russian Empire, nowadays Chornukhy (Ukrainian: Чорнýхи; Russian: Чернýхи), a rural settlement in Lubny Raion, Poltava Oblast, central Ukraine

Migration: The family came to Liverpool, England in 1892 when Mary was 13 years old. Nathan and Mary then migrated to Sioux City in Iowa, USA in February 1908

Mary, age 27, Nathan age 33 and a cap maker, and their children Jacob age 6, Benjamin age 4, Leon age 2 and Barnett age 10 months, sailed aboard the SS Lucania from Liverpool on 1 February 1908 bound for  Chicago. They arrived in New York on 8 February 1908

Married: Nathan Dobrofsky in Liverpool, England in (October - December) 1899 when Nathan was was 26 and Mary 20

Children

Their first child was born in 1901 when Nathan was 28 and Mary 22. Their last child was born in 1911 when Nathan was 38 and Mary 32

• Jacob Dobrofsky (1901 - ?)
• Benjamin Dobrofsky (1902 - 1992). He married Eva Orlikoff  (1911 - 2003) in 1937
• Leon Dobrofsky (1904 - 1981). He married Bertha Newman (1912 - 2008) in 1939
• Barnett Dobrofsky (1907 - 1946). He married Vivian (1915 - ?) in 1939
• Lillian Dobrofsky (1909 - 2003). She married Abraham Berkowitz (1902 - 1994) in 1934
• Philip Dobrofsky (1911 - 2003). He married Gloria Nemirow (1914 - 1979) in 1940

Census details

1901

The family is living at 23 Warren Street, Liverpool, England. Nathan is age 25 and a cap maker on his own account. Mary is age 23 and their son Jacob is age 5 months

1920

In 1920 the family are living at 1304 west 4th street, Sioux City, Iowa, USA. Nathan is age 47 and a grocery man, Mary is age 41. The children are Jake age 19, Bennie age 17, Leon age 15, Barnett age 13, Lillian age 10 and Philip age 8

1925

In 1925 the family are still living at 1304 west 4th street, Sioux City, Iowa, USA. Nathan is age 50 and listed as owning the house. Mary is age 45. The children are Leon age 20, Barnett age 18, Lillian age 15 and Philip age 13

1930

In 1930 the family are still living at 1304 west 4th street, Sioux City, Iowa, USA. Nathan is age 53 and listed as owning the house. Mary is age 49. The children are Leon age 25, Barnett age 23, Lillian age 20 and Philip age 18

1940

In 1940 the family are still living at 1304 west 4th street, Sioux City, Iowa, USA. Nathan is age 65 and listed as owning the house and Mary is age 58

Death

22 November 1948 in Sioux City, Iowa from kidney failure. She was buried on 23 November 1948 in the Mount Carmel Cemetery in Sioux City in section B site 0117

Death certificate for Mary

Tombstone for Mary Dobrofsky

Place of Birth

Mary Helfet was born in Chernuch, Russian Empire, nowadays Chornukhy (Ukrainian: Чорнýхи; Russian: Чернýхи), Chernich (Yiddish) and Chernuchi (German), a rural settlement in Lubny Raion, Poltava Oblast, central Ukraine.

Chornukhy

The earliest known Jewish community was by the end of the 18th century. In 1900 the Jewish population was 275 and in 1926 it was 366. Chornukhy was occupied by the Germans on September 17, 1941. During that month 132 Jews were shot by local police in the Chornukhy County park. The village was liberated by the Red Army on September 17, 1943. The present town population is 1,000-5,000 with fewer than 10 Jews.

Poltava Region
Jews began to settle in the region during the early 17th century in the process of Jewish participation in the colonization of Ukraine. By 1610 there was a Jewish community in Berezan (to the north of Pereyaslav), and within a few decades about a dozen Jewish communities were established in the districts of *Pereyaslav and Mirgorod, of which the largest were in Pereyaslav and *Lubny. Jews engaged in commerce and the leasing of estates, flour mills, liquor distilleries, breweries, and inns. There was strong competition from Christian towns-men, and during the *Chmielnicki massacres of 1648 these communities were among the first to be destroyed. After the region came under Russian rule Jews were not permitted to live there until the first partition of Poland in 1772. Individual Jewish families, however, settled in various estates under the protection of their owners despite frequent expulsions by the authorities.

After the first partition of Poland in 1772, Jewish settlement on the eastern bank of the river Dnieper was renewed, and by 1792 there were over 700 Jews in the region, most of whom lived on estates or in villages. In 1794 this region, which then formed part of the province of Yekaterinoslav, was incorporated within the *Pale of Settlement. In 1803 there were 82 Jewish merchants and 2,030 Jews classed as townsmen living in the province of Poltava, which was formed in 1802. The community of *Kremenchug was the largest in the district, and developed in particular owing to its position on the Dnieper, the main waterway from Lithuania to the south. It accounted in 1897 for 30% of the Jews in the province. In 1847, 15,572 Jews were counted in the 18 communities of the province (which also included the Jews in the small settlements and their environs). Their numbers increased as a result of a large emigration from Lithuania and Belorussia, and were estimated at 84,000 in 1881. The census of 1897 recorded 111,417 Jews (4% of the total population) in Poltava province (the lowest percentage of Jews in all the provinces of the Pale). The Russian-Ukrainian majority had a strong assimilationist influence on the Jews in the province, who were a minority in all the towns; it was only in Kremenchug that their numbers approached half the population. On the other hand, *Chabad Ḥasidism, which penetrated from the north, was an important spiritual influence (the tomb of *Shneur Zalman of Lyady, the founder of Chabad Ḥasidism, is in *Gadyach in Poltava province).

About one half of the Jews of the province of Poltava earned their livelihood from commerce (in contrast to 38.5% in the whole of Russia), and about 30 percent were engaged in crafts and industry. Commerce was principally conducted in grain and other agricultural produce. Although some Jews owned sawmills, brick-kilns, flour mills, alcohol distilleries, and other enterprises, the overwhelming majority of the workers in them were non-Jews. During the spring of 1881 pogroms occurred in the north of the province of Poltava. In 1905 a wave of pogroms swept across 52 settlements of the province. The most severely affected were Gadyach, Kremenchug, Romny, and Zolotonosha.

During World War I thousands of refugees and Jews expelled from the battle zone arrived in the province of Poltava and found refuge in the Jewish communities. During the Civil War, the communities of the western section of the province suffered especially from pogroms by bands of Ukrainians and the "volunteer army" of A.I. *Denikin. In 1926 there were approximately 93,000 Jews in the five districts (Kremenchug, Lubny, Poltava, Priluki, Romny) of the former territory of the province of Poltava.

Residence

By 1915 the family are living at 1304 West 4th Street, Sioux City, Iowa and lived there until the 1940s. The property appears to no longer exist

Hyman Hulman (1874 - 1946)

Hyman Hulman is the brother-in-law of Sarah Ann Levin, my 2x great aunt. Helfet family HERE

Parents: Joseph Hulman and Sarah

Born: 10 May 1874 in Widze, Russian Empire, nowadays Vidzy, Belarus, according to his naturalization certificate. However in the 1921 census he gives his place of birth as Poltavia, Russia, nowadays Poltava, Ukraine

Hebrew name: Chaim son of Yosef Mordechai

Migration: Hyman came to Liverpool, England sometime in the 1890s

Siblings:

• Rebecca Hulman (1878 - 1943) married Samuel Stone (1885 - ?) in 1905
• Samuel Hulman (1880 - 1954) married Esther Freisnkes (1885 - 1959) in 1905
• Nettie Hulman (1891 - 1963) married Irving Schachtman (1883 - 1950) before 1911
• Esther Hulman married a Mr Silverman then a Mr Herman. Lived in New York city

Occupation: Furniture dealer

Married: Nellie Helfet in Liverpool, England in (October - December) 1895 when Hyman was was 21 and Nellie almost 18

Children

Their first child was born in 1896 when Hyman was 22 and Nellie 18. Their last child was born in 1908 when Hyman was 33 and Nellie 30

• Max Hulman 1896 - 1901
• Leah Hulman 1898 - 1987. She married Leon Judah Franks (1895 - 1981) in 1924
• John Jacob (Jack) Hulman 1902 - 1984. He married Sarah Levy (1901 - 1988) in 1923
• Amelia (Millie) Hulman 1908 - 1995. She married Leslie Greenman (1903 - 1968) in 1930

Naturalization

Naturalization certificate for Hyman Hulman and his family in 1902. The family were living at 56 Great Homer street, Liverpool.   ... having been born at Widz, and is the son of Yosel and Sarah Hulman both subjects of Russia, of the age of 28 years - a house furnisher, is married and has two children under age residing with him viz: Leah Hulman aged 4 years and Jacob Hulman aged 6 weeks

A family photo apparently taken in Germany shortly before World War 1. Hyman Hulman is at back, with his wife Nellie in the centre and their daughter Amelia. The older couple are Hyman's parents, Joseph and Sarah Hulman. The young man at the back on the right-hand side is unknown

Census details

1901

The family is living at 87 St Anne Street, Liverpool, England. Hyman is age 27, a house furnisher and Nellie is age 26. The children are Max age 4 and Leah age 2. Boarding with them is Nellie's brother-in-law, Lazarus Goldsmith age 30 and Mary A Carr, a servant age 42 

1911

In 1911 the family are living at 31 Elizabeth Street, Liverpool, England in an 8 room tenament. Hyman is age 36 and a house furnisher working for himself. Nellie is age 34 and the children are Leah age 12, Jack age 8 and Amelia age 3. Living with them is Winifred Conley, a servant, age 19

1921

In 1921 the family are living at 1 Amberley Street, Liverpool, England in an 10 room house. Hyman is age 46 and a furniture dealer and shopkeeper. He lists his place of birth as Poltavia, Russia. Nellie is age 45, listed as being from Kovno, Russia and the children are Leah age 22, Jack age 18, a furniture salesman and Amelia age 13. Living with them is Emma Bradley, a servant, age 38. Amberley street no longer exists

1939 Register

The family are living at 17 Eaton Avenue, Rhyl, Wales. Hyman is a furniture dealer. Living with them is their daughter Millie and her son Barry

Electoral Register

In the 1939/40 electoral register the family are listed as living at 78 Canning Street, Liverpool, England

Travel

In May 1939 Hyman and Nellie travelled to America aboard the Carinthia to visit family in Sioux City

Entertainment this week honoring Mrs. H. Hulman of Liverpool, England, will include numerous family gatherings. She is a guest in the home of Mrs. S. Kroloff, 1405 W. Sixth street, where relatives were invited to an informal party Tuesday night. Mrs. Hulman is an aunt of Mrs. Kroloff. 

Tuesday, Mr. and Mrs. Hulman and Mrs. Abe Walensky of Min- neapolis were guests of Mrs. Irving Levich at luncheon and a matinee party. Mrs. Hulman will be honored today when Mrs. Nate Dobrofsky entertains her luncheon and bridge club.

J. Goldsmith will fete Mr. and Mrs. Hulman at a family party this evening. Mrs. Ben Dobrofsky is planning a similar gathering for Thursday. 

A dinner in the S. Dobrofsky home Friday evening and family picnic Sunday at Riverside park round out the weekend festivities in which Mr. and Mrs. Hulman will share.

Sioux City Journal 21 June 1939 p.  9

Death

14 July 1946, age 72 in Liverpool, England. He was buried on 15 July 1946 in the Broadgreen Cemetery, Liverpool, England, plot no L 10.02

Liverpool Jewish Burial Record for Hyman Hulman

Tombstone inscription: In loving memory of Hyman Hulman who passed away 14th July 1946 - 15th Tamuz 5706 aged 73 years. Deeply mourned by his dear wife nellie, son Jack, daughters Leah and Millie, daughter-in-law, sons-in-law and grandchildren. May his dear soul rest in peace

Hebrew translation: Here is buried the important and honored Mr. Chaim the son of Mr. Yosef Mordechai. Died 15 of Tamuz 5706. May his soul be bound with everlasting life

Funeral and unveiling notices

HULMAN-July 14, at his home, 5 Knowsley Rd., Southport, in his 73rd year, HYMAN, beloved husband of Nellie and father of Jack, Leah Franks and Millie Greenman. Evening service, 8 p.m., at 6 Menlove Gardens North. Liverpool Echo Monday 15 July 1946

HULMAN.-The Memorial stone in loving memory of the late Hyman Hulman will be consecrated at Broadgreen Cemetery on Sunday, June 15, 1947. at 12.15 p.m. 13. Liverpool Echo Friday 13 June 1947

Probate

HULMAN Hyman of 5 Knowsley Road Southport Lancashire died 14 July 1946 Probate Liverpool 7 December 1946 to Jacob Hulman house furnisher and Leonard Franks petroleum official. Effects £11, 324 11s. 8d. Jacob was his son and Leonard was his son-in-law

Place of Birth

Hyman Hulman was born in in Widze, Russian Empire, nowadays Vidzy, Belarus.

Vidzy is an urban-type settlement in Braslaw District, Vitebsk Region, Belarus. it is known in historical records since the 15th-century, when Grand Duke Sigismund Kęstutaitis transferred the estates of Vidzy to three families at once. During the French invasion of Russia, a skirmish took place in the center of Vidzy on 28 November 1812 between the retreating French and the Cossacks, leading to 116 houses to be destroyed by fire. In 1875, The Jewish World reported that the city was badly burned in a fire: many buildings were destroyed, and up to 3,000 people were made homeless.

During World War II, Vidzy was occupied by Nazi Germany from 27 June 1941 until 8 July 1944, and administered as part of Generalbezirk Litauen of Reichskommissariat Ostland. Prior to the war, the town had a population of about 3,000 and was mostly populated by Jews. A ghetto was established in early 1942 and by the summer, most Jews were transferred to the Swieciany ghetto, while others were able to form or join partisan units.

Residences

In 1901 the family were living at 87 St Anne Street, Liverpool, England. The property no longer exists

In 1902 the family were living at 56 Great Homer Street, Liverpool, England. The property no longer exists

In 1939 the family are living at 17 Eaton Street, Rhyl, Wales

In 1940 the family are living at 78 Canning Street, Liverpool, England

At the time of his death in 1946 Hyman was living at 5 Knowsley Road, Southport, England