Louis Abrahamson (1877 - 1957)

Louis Abrahamson is the father of Dorothy Sophia Abrahamson, the 2nd wife of my maternal grandfather Marcus Levin. Abrahamson family HERE

Parents: Abraham Daniel Abrahamson (1827 - 1898) and Annie, also known as Hannah (1852 - 1940)

Born: 5 or 6 December 1877 in Sluzk, Minsk, Russian Empire, now Slutsk, Belarus. His date of birth is listed as 5 December 1877 in his naturalization papers and 6 December 1877 in the 1939 register

Hebrew Name: Yehudah Leib son of Avraham Daniel

Migration to England: I am unable to locate Louis or his family in the 1891 census suggesting that they came to England sometime after that when Louis was a teenager. Louis's younger brother Jacob was born in Russia on 3 August 1889

Occupation: Rabbi of Oxford and Rhyl Congregation and Shochet (ritual slaughterer) in Manchester

Married: Rachel (Ettie) Joseph on 31 March 1903 in Liverpool, Lancashire, England. Louis was age 25 and Ettie was 22. On their marriage certificate their ages are given as 23 and 21 respectively, but this does not match other information I have on them

Marriage certificate for Louis Abrahamson and Ettie Joseph who were married in the Hope Place Synagogue in Liverpool on 31 March 1903. Louis was a minister age 23 and Ettie was age 21. Their address was given as 229 Wavertree Road, West Derby, Liverpool. Louis's father is Abraham Daniel Abrahamson, a teacher, deceased, and Ettie's father is given as Samuel Aaron Joseph, a picture dealer

Children

Their first child was born in 1904 when Louis was 26 and Ettie 23. Their last child was born in 1923 when Louis was 45 and Ettie was 42

• Adeline Abrahamson 1904 - 1991
• Anne Abrahamson 1905 - 1988
• Dorothy Sophia Abrahamson 1908 - 1999
• Daniel Joseph Abrahamson 1909 - 1997
• Freda Leah Abrahamson 1911 - 2009
• Bella Miriam Abrahamson 1913 - 2018
• Eva Abrahamson 1916 - 2001
• Sylvia Abrahamson 1923 - 

Census details

1901

In 1901 Louis and his family are living at 5 Kenyon Street, Wrexham, Denbighshire, Wales. Louis is age 24 and his occupation is given as Rabbi of a Hebrew Congregation. Living with him is his widowed mother Hannah age 49 and his brother Jacob, age 13

1911
Louis and his family are living at 17 Bloom street Liverpool in a 7 room house. In the household, there are six members. Louis Abrahamson, is 33 years old and a shochet (Jewish butcher), and his wife, Etti Abrahamson, is 30 years old. The children are Adaline, who is 6 years old, Annie, who is 5 years old, Dorothy who is 3 years old and Daniel, who is 2 years old



1921 Census
The family are living at 14 Jessel Street, Chorlton-upon-Medlock, Lancashire, England in a 6 roomed dwelling. Louis Abrahamson is age 44 years old and a shochet (Jewish butcher) for the Manchester Shechita Board, his wife, Ettie Abrahamson is age 40 years old. The children are Adaline, who is 17 years old, Annie, who is 15 years old, Dorothy who is 13, Daniel, who is 12 years old, Freda who is 10, Miriam who is 7 and Eva who is 5





1939 Register
In the 1939 register the family are living at 238 Great Cheetham Street, Manchester, England. Louis is a shochet (butcher). Living with him is his wife Ettie and her children Eva, Anne, Dorothy and Adeline



Naturalization

Home Office No. 237,752. Certificate No. 23860

NATURALIZATION ACTS, 1870.

Certificate of Naturalization

Whereas Louis Abrahamson, an Alien, residing at 92 Upper has presented to me, the Right Honourable Reginald McKenna, one of His Majesty's of Naturalization HOME Right OFFICE Street, Liverpool, , Secretaries of State, a Memorial, praying for a Certificate alleging that he is a Subject of Russia, having been born in sluzk in the County of Minsk about the 5th December, 1877, and is the son of Abraham Daniel and Annie Abrahamson, both subjects of Russia - Shochet under the Liverpool Shechita Board - is married and has five children under age residing with him, viz:- Adeline Dinah, aged 9 years, Annie, aged 7 years, Dorothy Sophia, aged 5 years, Daniel Joseph, aged 4 years, and Freda Leah, aged 2 years,

and that in the period of eight years preceding his application he has resided for five years within the United Kingdom, and intends, when naturalized, to reside therein:

And whereas I have inquired into the circumstances of the case, and have received such evidence as I have deemed necessary for proving the truth of the allegations contained in such Memorial, so far as the same relate to the Memorialist:

Now, in pursuance of the authority given to me by the said Acts, I grant to the aforesaid Louis Abrahamson

this Certificate, and declare that he is hereby naturalized as a British Subject, and that, upon taking the Oath of Allegiance, he shall in the United Kingdom be entitled to all political and other rights, powers, and privileges, and be subject to all obligations, to which a natural-born British Subject is entitled or subject in the United Kingdom; with this qualification, that he shall not, when within the limits of the Foreign State of which he was a Subject, be deemed to be a British Subject, unless he has ceased to be a Subject of that State in pursuance of the laws thereof, or in pursuance of a Treaty to that effect.

In witness whereof I have hereto subscribed my Name this 13th day of August, 1913.

(Sd.) R. Me KENNA, HOME OFFICE, LONDON.

Oath of Allegiance.

I Louis Abrahamson swear by Almighty God that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to His Majesty King George the Fifth, His Heirs and Successors, according to law.

So help me GOD.

(Signature of Alien) Louis Abrahamson

Sworn and subscribed this 15 day of August 1913, before me

(Signature) Herbert J. Davis, A Commissioner for Oaths.
-----------------------------
Louis and his family were naturalized in August 1913

Death
2 January 1957 in Manchester at 79 years of age. Buried in the Rainsough Jewish Cemetery, Manchester, England

Tombstone inscription: In loving memory of a dear father, Louis Abrahamson who passed away 9th January 1957 in his 80th year. Very Much Missed By His Son, Daughters,

Sons-In-Law, Daughter-In-Law, Grandchildren And Brother.

M.H.D.S.R.I.P.

Hebrew translation: Here is buried an esteemed and dear man, lovely and loved by people. His hands lived faith, as a slaughterer for many years. Y’hudah Leib son of Avraham Dani’el. Died with a good name 8 Sh’vat (5)717. May his soul be bound up in the bond of (eternal) life

Probate

Louis Abrahamson probate. At the time of his death he was living at 238 Great Clowes Street, Higher Broughton, Salford, Manchester, England and his beneficiary was his daughter Anne Burman. The value was  £694 2s 6d

Photos

Louis Abrahamson as a young man

Louis Abrahamson in later life

Louis and Ettie Abrahamson with their daughters Eva and Miriam and presumably grandchildren

Louis and Ettie Abrahamson in later life

A travel document photo of Louis Abrahamson taken in March 1948 when he was 70 years old

Jewish Chronicle Article extracts (from JewishGen)

Rev. L. Abrahamson served as minister of Oxford Synagogue (c.1900-c.1901), a visiting minister to Wrexham Hebrew Congregation, North Wales (in 1900 and 1901) and as reader of Rhyl and District Hebrew Congregation, North Wales (1901-c.1904). By 1911 he was was in Liverpool where his occupation was also a shochet, employed by the Liverpool Shechita Board. (Jewish Year Book listings and Jewish Chronicle press reports.)

Jewish Chronicle, 27 April 1900, page 29 

Rev L. Abrahamson conducted Passover services.

Jewish Chronicle, 28 September 1900, page 27

'The synagogue has been re-decorated, &c., the cost being defrayed by the President, Councillor Zacharias. The services were conducted by the Rev. L. Abrahamson and Mr. Moses Segal.

Jewish Chronicle, 28 December 1900 page 34

Special Chanukah Service and the children were examined by S. Bloom. The new minister and teacher, Rev L. Abrahamson of Oxford was complimented on the improvement in the Hebrew classes.

Jewish Chronicle, 8 February 1901 page 26

The order of prayers was conducted at synagogue, Bradley Road, by Rev. L. Abrahamson, who also delivered a discourse. Several Christians were present.

Jewish Chronicle, 24 May 1901, page 27

[Rev L. Abrahams late of Oxford congregation elected to be minister and shochet of Rhyl congregation.]

Jewish Chronicle, 7 June 1901, page 4

'RHYL. To let. 3 bedrooms and sitting-room, - furnished, convenient; two minute walk for promenade' near the marine lake; good attendance. Apply Rev. Shochet L. Abrahamson

Document

Hebrew Congregation

OXFORD.

10 November 1902

Mr Louis Abrahamson is retiring from the Congregation in Consequence of the number of members having diminished, causing a pancity funds.

Mr. Abrahamson has given the very greatest satisfaction and carries with him the respect and regrets of all

Signed J. Zacharias

------------------------

Letter of recommendation from the Oxford Hebrew Congregation

Place of Birth

Louis Abrahamson was born in Slutsk, nowadays in Belarus

The first evidence of Jewish life in Slutsk (Pol., Słuck) dates from 1583, when the town formed part of the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth; its Jewish community was granted a formal privilege in 1601. By 1623, Jews owned 16 houses. Though affected by wars in the mid-seventeenth century, both the town and the Jewish community developed rapidly. By 1750, there were 1,593 Jews (representing 33% of the total population) in Slutsk. Relations with non-Jewish society were tense, particularly due to economic competition. Jews made up more than 75 percent of the towns’ merchants, and a similar proportion was engaged in the manufacture and sale of alcohol. Though Slutsk was not an important centre for Torah study, major rabbinic figures, including Yehudah Leib Pohovitser and Ḥayim ha-Kohen Rapoport, served there.

Annexed to the tsarist empire in 1793, the town grew more slowly in the nineteenth century, partly because the railway system bypassed it. In 1897, the Jewish population had reached 10,264 (77% of the total population). Jews played a crucial role in local markets that specialized in agricultural produce, especially fruit and vegetables. In those years, the imposing Kalte synagogue was built and the town formed a bastion of anti-Hasidic Misnagdim. Following the 1917 October Revolution, Slutsk became part of the Soviet Republic of Belorussia. Independent Jewish merchants and craft workers—the majority of the community—did not easily fit into the new economic order, leading to high levels of impoverishment. The number of Jews had declined to 8,538 (53%) in 1926. Jewish institutions were closed and liquidated, with the Kalte synagogue serving as a military warehouse. The yeshiva moved to nearby Kletsk in the early 1920s. With the Nazi invasion of the Soviet Union in 1941, many of the Jews of Slutsk were summarily shot and the rest sent to a ghetto. The ghetto was liquidated on 8 November 1942, with the few surviving “useful” Jews murdered within months. In the post-Holocaust years, very few Jews lived in Slutsk—1,275 were recorded in 1959 and 606 in 1989. No synagogue existed, and a minyan was held in a private home; its members maintained the Jewish cemetery. The fall of the Soviet Union has seen little revival of the community: in 2006, the Jewish population numbered less than 500 and was receiving support from the American Lubavitch and Reform movements

Residences

In 1908 Louis and his family is listed as living at at 92 St Anne Street, Liverpool, England. The property no longer exists

In the 1939 register the family is living at 238 Great Cheetham Street, Manchester, England. The property appears to no longer exist, having been demolished and replaced by a block of units

At the time of his death Louis was living at 238 Great Clowes Street, Higher Broughton, Salford, Manchester, England

Israel Itsyk Baum (1857 - 1929)

Israel Itsyk Baum is my maternal 3x great uncle. Baum family tree Here. In a 1922 census his name was given as Isaak

Parents: Mark Baum and Kreine

Born: 1857 in Vorne, Russia (now Varniai in the Telz district of Lithuania). However his internal passport and death records suggests he was born in around 1855

Hebrew name: Izrael Itsyk Beym (Beimas)

Lithuanian name: Izraelis Icikas (Seikas) Beimas (Beim)

Israel Itsyk Baum taken in 1920 when he was age 65

Married: Hinde Aronson

Children

• Kreyne Baum 1880 - Before 1892
• Vula Baum 1888 - ?
• Maksas (Movsha) Baum 1890 - perished in the Holocaust
• Kreyna Baum 1892 - ?
• Basia Baum 1892 - perished in the Holocaust
• Ida Baum 1897 - ?
• David Wulf Baum 1897 - 1921
• Mordkhel Gershel Baum 

A family list in 1912

Apartment census in 1922. Isaak, his wife Ginda and their son Maks

Occupation: Merchant

Lithuanian internal passport

A Lithuanian internal passport application for Israel Itsyk Baum in 1920, when age 65

Death

10 April 1929 in Kaunas, Lithuania. He was 74 years old

Death record for Israel Baum

Izraelis Seikas Beimas, vedęs, pirklys, 74 m. amžiaus, gyvena Kaune, Prieplaukos g. 23 a, žydų tikybos, Lietuvos pilietis, Mordochas-Geršono ir Kreinės Breinų sūnus.

Translation: married, merchant, 74 years old, lives in 23 Prieplaukos street, Kaunas, Jewish religion, citizen of Lithuania, son of Mordochas Beršonas and Kreinė Breinės

Residences

In 1920 Israel and Hinde are listed as living at 29 Gedimino Street, Kaunas, Lithuania

At the time of his death in 1929 he was living at 23 Prieplaukos street, Kaunas, Lithuania. The existing property appears to have been constructed after World War 2

Place of Birth

Israel Baum was born in Vorne, now Varniai in the Telz district of Lithuania

It was established in the 14th century, on the bank of the Varnelė River, near an important Samogitian castle. It was the center of Samogitian Catholic church: after the baptism of Samogitia, the Samogitian Bishop resided in the town. Around 1414–1416 the first church was built, and c. 1464 the first cathedral. Varniai was the center of Samogitian episcopate until the middle of the 19th century, when authorities of the Russian Empire moved it to Kaunas.

The first Jews probably settled in Vorne in the second half of the seventeenth century. The bishop granted rights to a few Jews to run taverns, sell liquor and collect taxes during the fairs. Later, peddlers, merchants and artisans arrived in town. Jews, provided the majority of tradesmen, including tailors. Their workshops were small and run by families. The tradesmen of the time numbered twenty-two tailors, ten carters, sixteen shoemakers, six blacksmiths, three carpenters, three hatters, two builders, one book binder, one painter and one mould-maker. There were also well known timber tradesmen: one of these, Aharon Raskin, was a very prominent member of the community. The timber was loaded onto rafts and sent to Memel (Klaipeda) en route to Germany. The local flour mill was owned by Rafael Zax. Liquor distillation plants were also run by Jews. Several families kept stores, and they would travel to the large regional town of Shavl (Šiauliai) to stock up on goods.

As the population grew, a cemetery and prayer houses were built – the Kloiz and the Shtiblekh on two of the sides of the Shul, a building with a high dome for prayers in the summer. Later, welfare associations were established. Linath HaTsedek, Bikur Holim, Gemiluth Hesed, Hakhnasath Kalah and Hakhnasath Orkhim were among these. Social assistance was mostly provided by generous women with initiative. One such was Ida-Pesia, the wife of Aharon Raskin the timber merchant. He was also the Gabai of the local Yeshivah with its 60 students. This Yeshivah was established and directed by Nahum-Lipa Hananyah, and it existed for 35 years until his death in 1910. Many of the young people in the town studied in the Telz Yeshivah and in other Yeshivoth in the area. Quite a few acquired a general education as well.

In 1874, a blood libel was initiated by a local priest who gave money to a Christian boy to disappear from the town. Then he announced that the Jews had murdered the boy for his blood. The priest, together with a group of peasants armed with knives and sticks, went out in the streets and attacked every Jew they met. A few were injured and taken to hospital. The uproar stopped when the boy returned home. In 1847, 1,084 Jews lived in the town. Half a century later, according to the government census of 1897, there were 3,121 residents in Varniai, including 1,226 (39%) Jews.

Jewish homes in an alleyway

One of the prayer houses in Vorne

Michael Lawson (1907 - 1999)

Michael Lawson is the 3rd husband of Dorothy Sophia Abrahamson who is the 2nd wife of my maternal grandfather Marcus Levin. Abrahamson family HERE

Born: 10 December 1907

Married:

1) It is most probable that Michael was previously married but I don't have any details

2) Dorothy Sophia Abrahamson in September 1987 in Manchester, Lancashire, England. Dorothy and Michael were both 79 years old

Dorothy and Michael Lawson on their wedding day in Manchester, England in 1987

Death

8 April 1999 at age 91 in Liverpool, Lancashire, England and is buried in the Failsworth Jewish Cemetery in Manchester, England

Tombstone inscription: In loving memory of Michael Lawson who died April 8th 1999 aged 91 years. Deeply mourned by his wife Dorothy and his sister and brother-in-law Sol and brother-in-law Stan. M.H.D.S.R.I.P

Hebrew translation: Mostly illegible but his father's name is Ya'akov Binyamin and the date is Nissan 5759

Frederick Malpass (1907 - 1976)

Frederick Malpass, known as Fred, is the 1st husband of Dorothy Sophia Abrahamson who is the 2nd wife of my maternal grandfather Marcus Levin. Abrahamson family HERE

Parents: Louis Abrahamson (1877 - 1957) and Rachel (Ettie) Joseph (1881 - 1951)

Born: 24 March 1907

Occupation: Commercial traveller for a hardware store

Married:

1) Rebecca (Becky) Stone (1904 - 2002) in (January - March) 1930 in Manchester, England. Frederick was 22 and Rebecca 25 years old

Marriage index for Rebecca and Frederick

Children

Their son was born when Frederick was 27 and Rebecca 29 years old

• Paul P Malpass 1934 - ?

2) Dorothy Sophia Abrahamson in December 1950 in Barton, Lancashire, England. Dorothy was 42 and Frederick was 43 years old. There were no children and at some stage they divorced

Marriage index for Dorothy and Frederick. Note that Dorothy's surname is given as Adams!

Census details

1939 Register

In the 1939 register Frederick and his first wife Rebecca are living at 52 Downham Crescent, Manchester, England. He is a commercial traveller for a hardware store. The redacted line underneath is that of their son Paul

Death

(July - September) 1976 age 69 in Southport, Lancashire, England

Residences

In the 1939 register Frederick and his first wife Rebecca are living at 52 Downham Crescent, Manchester, England

Arthur Nowlan (1911 - 1977)

Arthur Nowlan is the 2nd husband of  Dora Edith Barnett whose first husband, Harris Rosenberg, is my maternal 3rd cousin 2x removed. Rosenberg family tree Here

Parents: Arthur Nowlan and ?

Born: 9 April 1911 in Edmonton, Middlesex, England

Occupation: Airman and storekeeper

Married: 

1) Evelyn Grace Petts in Hendon, London, England on 11 December 1937. Evelyn was born on 29 November 1907 in Canterbury, Kent, England and died on 13 January 1988 in Fleet, Hampshire, England

Marriage of Arthur Nowlan and Evelyn Grace Petts in All Saints' Church, Uxbridge Road, Harrow, England on 11 December 1937. His occupation is given as airman

2) Dora Edith Barnett on 23 July 1950 in Chester, Cheshire, England. They had no children together

Census details

1939 register

Arthur is married to his first wife Evelyn and they are living at 124 Herlwyn Ave, in Ruislip, Middlesex, England. He is a leading storekeeper

Death

Arthur died in Blacon, Cheshire, England on 29 May 1977 age 66. He was cremated at the Chester Crematorium, also known as the Blacon Crematorium, on 1 June 1977

Probate

Arthur Nowlan Probate dated 2 August 1977. His address is given as 70 Blacon Point, Blacon, Chester, England. The value of his effects was £12,040

Residences

In the 1939 register Arthur is married to his first wife Evelyn and they are living at 124 Herlwyn Ave in Ruislip, Middlesex, England

At the time of their deaths in 1977 Arthur and Dora's address is given as 70 Blacon Point, Blacon, Chester, England

Dora Edith Barnett (1917 - 1977)

Dora Edith Barnett is the wife of Harris Rosenberg, my maternal 3rd cousin 2x removed. Rosenberg family tree Here. He changed his name to Harold Rowe some time after September 1939

Parents: Cecil Barnett (1886 - 1962) and Jane Cheers (1885 - 1962)

Born: 8 December 1917 in Crewe, Cheshire, England

Baptism: Dora was baptised at St Oswald's Anglican Church, Chester, Cheshire, England on 10 February 1918

Married: 

1) Harris Rosenberg in Chester, Cheshire, England in January 1942

Children

• Victoria 1942 (Oct - Dec) - ?

Harold was killed on 3 December 1945 when Harold was a flight engineer on a Liberator KH125 aircraft which was flying from India to RAF Oakington. The aircraft was hit by lightning and lost several pieces on its wing before crashing into the ground near Rochefort killing all on board. He was buried at the Rochefort-Sur-Mer Naval Cemetery in France. He was 36 years old

2) Arthur Nolan on 23 July 1950 in Chester, Cheshire, England

Census details

1939 register

Dora is living with her family at 48 Vernon Road, Chester, Cheshire, England. With her is her father Cecil a labourer electric, her mother Jane and her brothers Cecil and Samuel. For some reason Dora is listed on two separate pages in the Register. Her occupation is given as cinema attendant

Death

Dora died in Chelmsford, Essex, England on 25 May 1977 age 59 and was cremated at the Chester Crematorium, also known as the Blacon Crematorium, on 9 June 1977

Residences

In the 1939 register Dora and her family were living at 48 Vernon Rd, Chester, England

At the time of their deaths in 1977 Arthur and Dora's address is given as 70 Blacon Point, Blacon, Chester, England