Rachel Morris (1874 - 1982)

Rachel Morris, born Rachel Dik and known later in her long life as Rochelle, is the sister-in-law of Rachel Levin, my 2x great aunt. Morris family HERE. Steckoll family HERE.

The original name of the family was Dik (Dikiene in Lithuanian) and the family, while registered in Raguva, Lithuania, lived in what is now Panevėžys, Lithuania. However, when Rachel's eldest brother Jacob arrived in England the clerk did not understand Yiddish and since Jacob called himself Jacob "Monnes" (Menachem), the clerk thought he said Munes was his last name. This was not English enough so the clerk anglicized it to Morris. Later when Jacob brought out other members of his family they changed their name to Morris as well

Parents: Joseph Dik (1851 - 1924) and Golda Chaya (1846 - 1923)

Born: 1874, in Ponevezh, Kovno District, Russian Empire, now Panevėžys, Lithuania,  Ponevezh [Russian], Ponevezh [Yiddish], Poniewież [Polish], Ponewiesch [German], Panevēža [Latvian]

Hebrew name: Rochel daughter of Yosef

Siblings

• Jacob Morris (1870 - 1947) married Rachel Levin (1873 - 1952) in Liverpool, England in (October - December) 1892
• Dinah Morris (1879 - 1969) married Barnett Bryer (1878 - 1958) in Liverpool on 1 January 1903
• Ely Morris (1880 - 1973) married Annie Katz (1888 - 1967) in Johannesburg, South Africa on 15 November 1911
• Michael Dik (1883 - ?)
• Tilly Morris (1886 - 1981) married Isaac Epstein (1884 - 1941)

According to AI searches there were several other children who were born in Panevėžys as well, but I have yet to corroborate this

Migration to England: In Lithuania, at that time, the eldest son was drafted to the Russian army when they reached the age of 18. Therefore, Rachel's eldest brother Jacob left Lithuania planning to travel to America but on arrival in Liverpool did not have enough money to complete the journey. The local Jewish Leadership offered help on condition that he marry a Jewish girl and settle in England.  Once settled in England he brought all his family to join him in Liverpool and all his siblings changed their name to Morris. It is not known when Rachel arrived in Liverpool, nor when she followed other family members to South Africa

Married: Married Nochum Aaron Steckoll, known as Aron, in 1928 in Thaba Nchu, Orange Free State, South Africa. Aaron was 61 and Rachel 54. Aaron was a widower with 4 adult children, all independent and married by 1928

Antenuptial Contract between Aaron Steckoll and Rachael Morris

The couple signed an antenuptial contract on 28 February 1928. Rachel’s name appears in the document as “Rachael,” and she signed in Yiddish, which implies she may not have been able to write in English. At the time, Aaron was residing in Ladybrand and Rachel in Bloemfontein, both in what was then the Orange Free State Province of South Africa.

Under the agreement, Aaron undertook to pay Rachel £300 in cash. The marriage was entered into out of community of property, with each party retaining full control of the assets they brought into the union.

Rachel was not mentioned in Aaron’s will. He died in 1933, after five years of marriage. Taken together, these details suggest that Rachel entered the marriage with the understanding that she would manage the household and care for Aaron in his later years—an arrangement that was not unusual in that period.

Recollection

Her great-nephew, Trevor Morris, remembered collecting her from Sandringham Gardens, the Jewish old-age home in Johannesburg, to take her to Shabbat dinner in Emmarentia when she was about 105. She was a very small woman and, as Trevor put it, she still “had all her marbles.”

Halfway to their destination she suddenly realised she had forgotten the chocolates she intended to bring as a gift. Trevor suggested they could easily buy some along the way, but she would not hear of it. She wanted to give the ones she had chosen herself. They turned around, drove back to Sandringham Gardens, she fetched the present, and only then did they set off again for the dinner.

Her great-niece, Lee Millar, tells me she moved to Sandringham Gardens old age home when she was 60. She was alert to the end and only bedridden in her final year. Otherwise she was fully mobile till then. At the end she developed a blocked bowel, decided that she didn't want an intervention, and was allowed to pass away peacefully

Rochelle in old age, taken circa 1957 when she was in her early 80s

Death

19 July 1982 in Johannesburg, South Africa age 108.She was buried on 20 July 1982 in the Westpark Cemetery in Johannesburg, grave block U, grave no 463

Tombstone for Rochel Steckoll
Inscription: In loving memory of Rochel [Steckoll] passed away on 19th July 1982 aged 108 years. Ever remembered by her nephews, nieces and families. MHDSRIP

Hebrew translation: Mrs. Rachel daughter of Mr. Yosef, died 28 Tammuz 5742. Abbreviation "May her soul be bound in the bonds of life."

Westpark Cemetery details for Rochel

Jewishgen Cemetery record for Rochel

Place of Birth

Rachel Morris was born in Panevėžys, Lithuania

PANEVEZYS (Panevezhis; Lith. Panevežys; Rus. Ponevezh), city in Lithuania. In 1766 the Jewish community numbered 254; in 1847, 1,447 Jews were registered, and in 1897, 6,627 Jews (50% of the total population) lived in Panevezys. An ancient Karaite community is also known to have existed there. A number of noted rabbis officiated in Panevezys, among them Isaac Jacob Rabinovich (Itzele Ponevezher), Joseph Kahaneman, and Jeroham Leibovich. The Hebrew poet Judah Leib Gordon served as a teacher in the city from 1853 to 1860. Naphtali Friedman, a noted advocate, served as delegate from Panevezys to the third Duma.

In May 1915, during World War I, the Jews of Panevezys were sent along with other Lithuanian Jews to the interior of Russia by the Russian military authorities. Most of them returned after the Russian Revolution. In 1923 there were 6,845 Jews living in Panevezys (35% of the total population), most of them occupied in small trade and crafts and some in larger business enterprises and industry.

The community had an active social and cultural life. Its educational institutions included Hebrew and Yiddish primary schools, two Hebrew secondary schools (one belonging to the Zionist-orientated Tarbut educational system and the other, for girls, to the religious Yavneh), a Jewish pro-gymnasium, and libraries.

The Panevezys Yeshivah, which had a high reputation, was founded by Liebe Miriam Gavronsky, daughter of K.Z. Wissotszky. When the Jews were expelled during World War I, the yeshivah was first moved to Ludza in Vitebsk province and then to Mariupol (Zhdanov) in the Ukraine. After World War I Rabbi Kahaneman founded the great Ohel Yiẓḥak yeshivah in Panevezys with about 200 students. In 1944 the yeshivah was reestablished by Rabbi Kahaneman in *Bene Berak, Israel.

Panevezys was occupied by the Germans in 1941 a few days after the outbreak of the German-Soviet war. A ghetto was established from which Jews were transported and murdered in September 1941. They were buried in 12 mass graves. In 1968 the Jewish cemetery at Panevezys was destroyed.

Julius Michael Ruck (1874 - 1960)

Julius Michael Ruck is the husband of Fanny Leah Levinson, the sister-in-law of Minnie Glynn, my 1st cousin 2x removed. Levinson family HERE. Glynn family HERE

Parents: Aaron Michael Rak (1852 - ?) and Eunice Sopher (1855 - ?)

Born: 10 December 1874 in Losice, Seidlce Goberna, Russian Empire, nowadays in Poland. Yiddish: לאָשיץ. Russian: Лосице / Лосицы. Hebrew: לושיצה. Alternate names: Łosice [Pol], Loshitz [Yid], Loshitse [Rus], Loshits

Hebrew name: Michel Yoel son of Aharon

Siblings

• Asher Ruck (1879 - 1953) married Polly Goodman (1886 - 1949) on 11 January 1905 in London, England

Marriage certificate for Asher and Polly. They had three children; Abraham Leon Ruck (1906 - 1949) who married Madge Cassell (1908 - 1998) in Birmingham in (January to March) 1934, Eunice Ruck (1908 - 1972) who married Cecil David Simons (1909 - 1979) in London in (July to September) 1930 and Sidney Ruck (1910 - 2002)

Occupation: Importer of toys and fancy goods and then a haberdashery wholesaler

Naturalization

Naturalization certificate for Julius Ruck dated 19 July 1909

Married: Fanny Leah Levinson on 24 February 1909 in the Great synagogue in Russell Street, Liverpool, England. Fanny was 24 and Julius age 34

Marriage certificate for Fanny and Julius. Julius's profession is given as a fancy good dealer

Children

Their first child was born in 1909 when Julius was 35 and Fanny 23. Their last child was born in 1917 when Julius was 42 and Fanny 31 

• Eunice Ruck 1909 - 1984
• Nancy Freda Ruck 1912 - 1995
• Harold Cecil Ruck 1917 - 1974

Census details

1911

In 1911 Julius and Fanny are married and living at 2 Station Boulevard, Aberdeen Road, Swansea, Wales. The dwelling has 5 rooms. Julius is age 37  and an importer of fancy goods on his own account. Fanny is age 25. Their daughter is Eunice age 1 and they have a Jewish domestic servant, Hetty Struel age 16, who was born in Russia

1921

1921 census for the Ruck family in Swansea, Wales. The family are in a 9 room dwelling at 55 Walter Road. Julius is 48 years and 6 months, a wholesale importer of toys and fancy goods and the children are Eunice age 11 years and 6 months, Freda age 8 and Harold age 3 years and 8 months

Julius's wife Fanny on the night of the 1921 census is visiting her parents and her siblings who are living in a 5 room terrace at 7 Montpelier Terrace, Upper Parliament Street, Liverpool. Her father Moses is age 62 and six months and a picture framer on his own account working out of a premises on 33 Park Place, Liverpool. Her mother Hannah Rachel is listed as Rachel and is 57 and three months. Her sister Cecilia is 23 and five months and a school teacher. Her brother Max is 25 years and eleven months and an assistant manager. Fanny is named Fanny Ruck age 36 years and eleven months. She normally lives with her family at 55 Walter Road in Swansea Wales

1921 census for Fanny and her parents in Liverpool, England

1939 Register

1939 finds Fanny and Julius at 55 Walter Road, Swansea, Wales. Julius is a wholesaler in haberdashery. Living with them is Fanny's mother Hannah, age 75 and listed as incapacitated. They also have a domestic servant, Beatrice M Temblett, age 33

Photos

Julius as a soldier in the Russian army

Julius and Fanny with their son Harold visiting Egypt in 1934

An undated photo of Fanny and Julius

Electoral Register

Fanny and Julius listed on the electoral register in 1950. Their address is 55 Walter Road, Swansea, Wales

Death

22 April 1960 in Swansea, Wales at age 85. He is buried in the Townhill Cemetery, Swansea, Wales, section D, Row 8, Plot 4

Burial record for Julius Ruck

Tombstone for Fanny and Julius Ruck: "In ever loving memory of Julius Michael Ruck died 24 April 1960 aged 88 years and Fanny Leah Ruck aged 76 years. Deeply mourned by their loving and devoted children, grandchildren and relatives. May their dear souls rest in everlasting peace"

Hebrew translation: "Here are buried
The companion Michel Yoel son of Mr. Aharon
Passed away 27 Nisan 5720
The woman Feyga Leah daughter of Mr. Shlomo Moshe
Passed away 27 Sivan 5720
Loving and pleasant in their lives, and in their deaths undivided
May their souls be bound up in the bond of life"

Probate

RUCK Julius of 55 Walter Road Swansea died 26 April 1960 Probate Carmarthen 11 August to Abe Stephens personnel manager. Effects £9,306 15s. 7d.

Place of Birth

Julius Ruck was born in  Losice, Siedlce in the Russian Empire, nowadays in Poland

Residence

From around 1919 until their deaths in 1960, Julius and Fanny lived at 55 Walter Road, Swansea, Wales

Simon Bernard Glynn (1874 - 1955)

Simon Bernard Glynn, born Simon Bernard Glembovsky, is the husband of 1) Esther Reizel Levin, my 2x great aunt and 2) Fannie Gould (Nee Yaffe). Levin family HERE. Glynn family HERE

Parents: Abraham Glembovsky and Minnie Goorin

Born: 15 May 1874 in Kamenitz, Grodno, Russian Empire, nowadays known as Kamyanyets, Belarus. Date of birth as per the 1939 register. However his naturalization papers suggest he was born in 1877 and his tombstone suggests 1875

Hebrew name: Shimon Dov son of Avraham

Siblings:

• Isidore Glynn (1892 - 1935) married Tillie Scheinbaum (1895 - 1926) in Manhattan, New York on 29 November 1919 and following her death he married Frieda Hellman (1893 - 1974) on 27 September 1927 in Manhattan, New York
• Anna (Annie) Glynn (1891 - 1972) married Benjamin Gould (1889 - 1947) in Kamenitz, Poland

Chart showing Simon's siblings and parents 

Naturalization:

Simon and his children Minnie and Freda became naturalised British citizens on 15 August 1902. The family were living at 79 Soho Street, Liverpool, England at the time

Occupation: Simon worked in the clothing industry on his own account, initially as a shopkeeper, then a tailer's cutter, then a woolen merchant and he also established the Erskine clothing factory which operated out of  22 Tarleton Street, Liverpool

Married: 

1) Esther Reizel Levin in (January - March) 1898 in Liverpool, England. Simon was 23 and Esther 20

Children

Their first child was born in 1898 when Simon was 24 and Esther 21. Their last child was born in 1903 when Simon was 29 and Esther 26 

• Minnie Glynn 1896 - 1980
• Gertrude Glynn 1900 - 1901
• Freda Glynn 1901 - 1903
• Leah (Lily) Glynn 1903 - 1981

Esther and Simon's two daughters who reached adulthood, Lily (on left) and Minnie Glynn in around 1910

Married:

2) Following Esther's death on November 1921, Simon married a widow, Fannie Gould (Nee Yaffe), in Liverpool, England on 3 February 1928. Simon was 51 and Fannie was 39

Marriage certificate for Simon Glynn and Fannie Yaffe. They were both widows and were married on 3 February 1928 in the Princes Road synagogue in Liverpool, England

SILVER WEDDINGS. GLYNN. Mr. and Mr. Simon Glynn (Fanny Yaffe) announce the 15th anniversary of their wedding, solemnised on February 1, 1928. 33. Blundell Drive, Hillside, Southport. (Jewish Chronicle 1943)

Census details

1901

Esther and Simon are married and the family are living at 79 Soho Street, Liverpool, England. Simon is age 26 and working at home on his own account as a clothier shop keeper. Esther is age 24 and their daughter Minnie is age 2

1911

The family are living in a 6 room house at 48 Erskine street, Liverpool, England. Simon is age 35 and a tailor's cutter working from home on his own account. Esther is age 34 and the two children, Minnie age 12 and Leah age 7 are both at school

1921

The family in the 1921 census taken on 21 June are living at 6 Cairns street, Liverpool, England. Simon is age 46 years and 9 months and a wholesale clothing manufacturer and merchant. He is an employer with his premises at 1 Islington Square, Liverpool. Esther is age 44 years and 3 months and the two children are Minnie age 22 years and 7 months and Lily age 17 years and 11 months. Also living with them is Elizabeth Brown, a domestic servant age 57 years and 4 months

1939 Register

In the 1939 register the family are living at 33 Blundell Drive, Southport, England. Simon, born on 15 May 1874, is a wool merchant and Fannie, born on 21 June 1888 is a housewife

Masonic Lodge

Simon became a member of the Egremont Masonic Lodge, Cheshire, in 1915

Newspaper article

BLACK-OUT FINES RANGE TO £10

Fines ranging up to £10 were imposed at Liverpool Police Court, today, for exposing lights from windows during the black-out. ...

Simon Glynn was fined £5 for exposing a light at business premises in Tarleton-street, Liverpool.

It was stated for Glynn that an employee left the light on in a stock room, which was not much used. (Liverpool Evening Express 15 March 19540 p. 8)

Death

14 June 1955 (24 Sivan 5715) in Southport, England at age 81. He is buried in the Duke street cemetery, Southport, England

Tombstone for Simon Glynn. In loving memory of Simon Glynn passed away 14 June 1955 aged 80 years. Deeply mourned by his dear wife, daughters, sons-in-law, sister, grandchildren, relatives and friends. May his dear soul rest in peace (Abbr.)

Hebrew translation: Here is buried Mr. Shimon Dov son of Mr. Abraham, may his memory be for a blessing. Passed away 24 Sivan 5715. May his soul be bound up in the bond of life

Death Certificate

Death certificate for Simon Glynn. He died on 14th June 1955 at his home - 33 Blundell Drive, Southport, England. He was 80. His occupation was given as retired shopkeeper (tailors trimmings) and company director / clothing manufacturer. Cause of death was a cerebral hemorrhage and arterial sclerosis from hypertension. The informant was his son-in-law Maxwell Levinson

Obituary

GLYNN.--On June 14, at 33. Blundell Drive, Hillside. Southport, in his 81st year, Simon Glynn, beloved husband of Fannie. dear father of Minnie Levinson and Lily Davies, and brother of Annie Gould (Liverpool). Deeply mourned by his sons-in-law, Max and Harry, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, relatives, and friends (Jewish Chronicle, 1955)

Probate

GLYNN Simon of 33 Blundell-drive Hillside Southport Lancashire died 14 June 1955 Probate Liverpool 10 September to Fannie Glynn widow Maxwell Levinson company director and Simon Bernard Levin solicitor. Effects £16131 13s. 3d.

Place of Birth

Simon Glynn was born in Kamenitz, Grodno, Russian Empire, nowadays known as Kamyanyets, Belarus

Kamyenyets or Kamyanyets (Belarusian: Камянец), is a town in Brest Region, Belarus. It serves as the administrative center of Kamyenyets District.The town is located in the northwestern corner of Brest Region on the Lyasnaya River, about 40 kilometres north from Brest. The Leśna Prawa river flows through the town. In 2002, its population was approximately 9,000. The Jewish Population was 2,722 in 1897.

Jews likely settled in Kamyanyets in the 16th or early 17th century, during a time when many towns in the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth welcomed Jewish settlers. By the 18th and 19th centuries, Kamyanyets had an organized Jewish community with a synagogue, schools, and various religious and social institutions. Jews played a significant role in the town's economy, often working as merchants, artisans, and traders. The Jewish population grew and established a vibrant community, including Hasidic influences. After World War I, the area became part of the Second Polish Republic. Despite growing antisemitism, the Jewish community in Kamyanyets remained active, with political and cultural organizations such as Zionist groups and Hebrew schools. Germany invaded the Soviet Union in June 1941, and Kamyanyets was occupied shortly after. In 1942, most of the Jewish population of Kamyanyets was murdered during the Holocaust, either in local massacres or deportations to extermination camps. 

Residences

In the 1901 census Esther and Simon and their daughter Minnie are living at 79 Soho Street, Liverpool, England. The property no longer exists

In the 1911 census Esther and Simon and their children are living at 48 Erskine Street, Liverpool, England. The property no longer exists

In the 1921 census the family are living at 6 Cairns Street, Liverpool, England. Simon's factory at 1 Islington square, Liverpool no longer exists. Liverpool University now has a building on the site

Simon had his clothing factory at 22 Tarleton Street. Liverpool, England

In the 1939 register the family are listed as living at 33 Blundell Drive, Southport, England. Simon lived there until his death in 1955. In 1939 my mom and her family moved to Southport from Liverpool. They lived for several months with Simon and Fanny at no 33 while her father Marcus looked for a new home. Eventually they moved almost diagonally opposite the Glynns to 50 Blundell Drive which is at bottom left of the photo