Harris Lewis (1886 - 1977)

Harris Lewis, born Harris Votofski and known as Harry, is the husband of Cecilia Levinson, the sister-in-law of Minnie Glynn, my 1st cousin 2x removed. Glynn family HERE. Levinson family HERE. 

Harris was named for his paternal grandfather and he changed his surname from Votofski to Lewis sometime between 1911 and 1921

Parents: Louis Votofski (1850 - 1926) and Annie Minnie Kobeisky (1850 - 1928)

Tombstones for Harris's parents. They are both buried in the Blackley Jewish Cemetery in Manchester, England

Born: 26 August 1886 in Manchester, England

Occupation: Property agent and financier

Naturalisation

Louis and his family were naturalised on 20 April 1899

Married: Cecilia Levinson in (January to March) 1923 in Liverpool, England. Cecilia was 25 and Harris age 36

Children

Their daughter was born in 1923 when Harris was 37 and Cecilia 25

• Vivian Lewis 1923 - 2018
• Lucien A Lewis 1930 - 

Census details

1891

The family is living at 55 Red Bank, Manchester, England. Harris's father Louis Votofski is age 41 and a dealer in clothing and his mother Minnie is age 40. The children are Dora age 19, Betsy age 18, Mark age 16, Rachel age 15, Barnet age 14, Samuel age 12, Ellen age 9, Harris age 4 and Aaron age 8 months. The parents were born in Russia but all teh children were born in Manchester

1901

The family are now living at 51 Cheetham Hill Road, Manchester, England. Louis is age 52 and an agent / broker in clothing and Minnie is age 50. The children are Mark age 26, Rachel age 25, Barnet age 24, Ellen age 18, Harris age 14 and a joinery apprentice, Aaron age 11 and Milly age 7.

1911

The family are living at 21 Elizabeth Street, Cheetham, Manchester, England in a 6 room house. Louis is age 62, a second hand clothier on his own account and Annie Minnie is age 61. The children still living at home are Mark age 36, Harry at 24 and a financial clerk, Aaron age 20 and Millie age 17

1921

The family is now living in a 7 room house at 5 Elizabeth Street, Cheetham, Manchester, England. Louis is 71 and still a second hand clothier on his own account and Minnie is age 70. The children at home are Mark age 46, Harris age 34 and a financier, Aaron age 30 and Millie age 25

1939 Register

In 1939 Harris and Cecilia are married and living at 5 Old Hall Road, Salford, Manchester, England. Harris is a property owner and agent, Cecilia is a housewife and their daughter Vivian is at school. The redacted line beneath is Lucien A Lewis born in Manchester in (July to September) 1930 

Death

12 December 1977 in Manchester, England at age 91. He is buried in the Blackley Jewish Cemetery in Manchester, England

Probate

LEWIS Harris of 4 Eastleigh Av Broughton Park Salford 

died 12 December 1977 Probate Manchester 9 February [1978] £125,104 782101506K

Residences

In the 1939 register the Cecilia and Harris are living at 5 Old Hall Road, Salford, Manchester, England and they lived there until at least Celia's death in 1977

Sylvia Shneck (1931 - 1974)

Sylvia Shneck is the wife of Justin Solomon Endbinder, the son of Harris Endbinder and Rachel Levinson, who is the sister-in-law of Minnie Glynn, my 1st cousin 2x removed. Endbinder family HERE. Levinson family HERE

Parents: Abraham Shneck (1900 - 1969) and Doris Reece (1904 - 1990)

Tombstone for Abraham and Doris Shneck. They are both buried in the Failsworth Jewish Cemetery in Manchester, England

Born: 18 September 1931 in Manchester, England

Siblings

• Sidney Shneck(1926 - ) 

Hebrew name: Tziviah daughter of Abraham

Occupation: Musician

ASPIRING pianist Sylvia Shneck, of Middleton Road, Crumpsall, Manchester, was not pleased when told at music college that she would have to learn a second instrument.

She decided the oboe was reasonably easy-and within a few weeks realised that it was a "natural" for her. She took a piano diploma but scored even higher marks in the oboe, was appointed oboeist in Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, played in BBC concerts, took lessons with Lady Barbirolli, and transferred to the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra.

To-day, following a hectic week of recording with the orchestra and Huddersfield Choral Society in a new version of the "Messiah." her engagement is announced to Dr. Justin Endbinder, who is in practice in Liverpool, music-lover but not a musician. It was for Miss Shneck that Salford conductor and composer Mr. Joe Needham composed his oboe concerto. (Manchester Evening News, Saturday, June 20, 1959)

Married: 

Dr Justin Endbinder in (October - December) 1959 in Heywood, Greater Manchester, England. Justin was 33 and Sylvia was 28

Children

Their child was born in 1962 when Justin was 38 and Sylvia 31 

• Rachel S Endbinder 1962 - 

Census details

1939 Register

In 1939 register Sylvia and her family are living at 13 Fort Road, Manchester, England. Her father Abraham owns a mens outfitters shop and her mother Sarah is a housewife. Sylvia age 8 is at school and her elder brother Sidney is not at home that evening

Electoral Register

In the 1962 electoral registers onward Justin and Sylvia's address is given as 163 Mather Avenue, Liverpool, England

Death

2 September 1974 in Liverpool, England at age 42. She is buried in the Springwood Jewish Cemetery in Liverpool, England, section 2, plot no 65

Cemetery record for Sylvia Endbinder

Tombstone for Sylvia Endbinder. Inscription reads: "In loving memory of Sylvia Endbinder who passed away 4th September 1974 aged 42 years. Always remembered by her devoted husband, daughter, mother, brother, relatives and friends. May her dear soul rest in eternal peace"

Probate

ENDBINDER, Sylvia of 163 Mather Avenue, Liverpool, died 4 September 1974 Probate Liverpool 22 November [1974] £6513

Residences

In 1939 Sylvia and her family are living at 13 Fort Road, Manchester, England

In the 1962 electoral registers onward Sylvia and Justin's address is given as 163 Mather Avenue, Liverpool, England

Fannie Yaffe (1888 - 1985)

Fannie Yaffe, also spelt Fanny, is the second wife of Simon Bernard Glynn, born Simon Bernard Glembovsky, whose first wife, Esther Reizel Levin, is my maternal 2x great aunt. Simon could also be my 1st cousin 3x removed. Glynn family HERE

Parents: Kolman Yaffe (1843 - 1918) and Jane Mariassa (1860 - 1928)

Tombstones for Kolman and Jane Yaffe. They are buried in the Rice Lane Cemetery, Liverpool, England

Born: 21 June 1888 in Vitupsk, also known as Vitebsk, Russian Empire nowadays Vitsyebsk, Belarus

Hebrew name: Tziviah Feiga daughter of Kalman

Siblings:

• Rose Yaffe (1884 - 1932) married Abraham Zatz (1883 - 1951) in (July - September) 1905 in Manchester, England
• Edith Yaffe (1891 - 1976) married Sidney Joel Green (1895 - 1974) in (April - May) 1919 in Liverpool, England
• Simon Yaffe (1891 - 1918)
• Abram Yaffe (1895 - 1990) married Esther Nancy Franks (1900 - 1990) in (April to June) 1920 in Liverpool, England
• Gertrude Yaffe (1899 - 1985) she married Barney Deutch, later Dutch (1888 - 1972) in (January - March) 1921 in Liverpool, England

Migration: Fannie came to England with her family as a teenager sometime between 1901 and 1911

Married: 

1) Mr Gould possibly before 1911 as she is not listed as living with her parents and siblings in the 1911 census. They lived in Canada. He died sometime before 1928 and Fanny returned to Liverpool, England

2) Simon Bernard Glynn in Liverpool, England on 3 February 1928. Simon was 51 and Fanny 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

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

Travel

Fannie travelling from Southampton, England to Madeira, Portugal on 6 March 1959 aboard the New York

Death

14 July 1985 (25 Tamuz 5745) in Liverpool, England at age 97. She is buried in the Long Lane Cemetery, Liverpool, England, plot D-A-17

Tombstone: In loving memory of Fannie Glynn who passed away 14 July 1985 aged 97 years. Deeply mourned by her devoted brother, sister-in-law, nephews, nieces, relatives and friends

Hebrew translation: A woman of Valor. Tzivia Feiga daughter of Kalman passed away on 25 Tamuz 5745

Probate

GLYNN, Fannie or GLYN, Fannie of Stapely Hosp North Mossley Hill Rd Liverpool died 14 July 1985 Probate Liverpool 9 January £252302

Place of Birth

Fanny Yaffe was born in Vitupsk, also known as Vitebsk, Russian Empire nowadays Vitsyebsk, Belarus

VITEBSK, capital of Vitebsk district, Belarus. The first Jewish settlement appears to have been established in Vitebsk at the end of the 16th century. The charter given to the residents of Vitebsk in 1597 by Sigismund III Vasa forbids Jews "in accordance with long-held practice" to dwell within the city. Still, it appears that some Jews did live there, under the protection of the local nobility, both before and after 1597. The Jewish community developed, though not without conflict with the Christian population of the city over Jewish rights and privileges. In 1627 the local ruler S. Sangushko granted permission for the construction of a synagogue in the city. A document from the 17th century takes note of "the Jew's gate."

During the war between Poland and the government of Moscow in 1654, Jews fought in the defense of the city. When it fell to the Russians, their property was confiscated and they were taken captive, not being released until peace was achieved with Poland (1667). Upon the Jews' return they had to enter into litigation with their neighbors who had appropriated their property. In 1679 King John III Sobieski granted a charter to the Jews, restoring their former privileges and promising them freedom of religion and commercial rights. This charter was renewed and confirmed by the kings of Poland in 1729 and 1759. In 1708, during the war with Sweden, the Jewish quarter of Vitebsk was destroyed by fire. The local residents then occupied the plot where the synagogue had been and built a church upon it. The Lithuanian supreme court ordered them to return the land to the Jews and pay damages of 13,500 gold pieces. The Jewish community of Vitebsk was part of the Council of the *Lands. It was under the jurisdiction of the Brest-Litovsk community and through it was subject to the Lithuanian Council. The Vitebsk Jewish community kept a pinkas (minute-book) from 1706.

With the first partition of Poland in 1772 Vitebsk was annexed to Russia. At that time the community numbered 1,227 persons, or about a quarter of the town's population. Most of Vitebsk's trade in flax and tobacco was conducted with Riga by way of the Dvina River. With the completion of the Orel-Vitebsk-Dvinsk railroad during the 1860s the commerce of Vitebsk with regional towns and villages increased and the Jewish community grew accordingly. After their expulsion from Moscow in 1891 some of the Jews transferred their businesses to Vitebsk. In 1897 the city had 34,420 Jews (52.4% of the total population).

Vitebsk was a stronghold of Orthodox Judaism, containing elements of Lithuanian Jewish scholarship, and even stronger ḥasidic influences. At the end of the 18th century the founders of Lithuanian Ḥasidism, Menahem *Mendel of Vitebsk and Shneur Zalman of Lyady, were active in the city. Strong *Ḥabad ḥasidic influences were present. The rabbi of the city from 1803 to 1860 was Yiẓḥak Isaac Behard, who was both kazyonny ravvin (government-appointed rabbi) and the choice of the admor. Jekuthiel Zalman Landau succeeded him in the rabbinate serving also as head of the yeshivah of Vitebsk. After Landau moved to St. Petersburg the community did not select a new chief rabbi, as a result of a dispute between the Ḥasidim and Mitnaggedim. During the last years of the 19th century 72% of the school-age children studied in the ḥeder and talmud torah schools of Vitebsk.

The settlement of Jews in Vitebsk who had been expelled from Moscow strengthened the Haskalah elements in the city. The Ḥibbat Zion movement began to develop, as did the Socialist movement at a later date. Vitebsk was one of the first centers of the Bund. In 1901 the Zionist leader Grigori (Ẓevi Hirsch) Bruck was selected as kazyonny ravvin of Vitebsk. He had great influence upon the life of the community, even after he was deposed by the authorities. This occurred as a result of his position as a delegate to the Duma, in which he signed the Wyborg Proclamation. The Zionist and Po'alei Zion movements flourished, causing the talmud torah to be converted into a Hebrew school. After 1905 several private gymnasia opened in the city, most of the students being Jewish. The artist Y. Pen opened an art school which trained hundreds of young people, including Marc Chagall and S. Yudovin. S. An-Ski and C. Zhitlovsky were both from Vitebsk. During World War I Vitebsk served as a way station for tens of thousands of Jews who had been expelled from Lithuania. Several thousands of them settled there permanently.

With the advent of Soviet rule the Vitebsk Jewish community began to decline. Thousands of residents who had come from Lithuania and Latvia used their rights of relocation and emigrated from the Soviet Union. The Yevsektsiya established one of its centers in Belorussia in Vitebsk, publishing the paper Der Royter Shtern ("The Red Star") until 1923. In 1921 a public trial "over the ḥeder" was conducted in Vitebsk and several synagogues in the city were confiscated. The Vitebsk He-Ḥalutz movement was harassed and came to an end during the middle of the 1920s. Vitebsk had a semi-legal Ḥabad yeshivah until 1930. In 1923 there were 39,714 Jews (43.7% of the total population). In 1926 there were 37,013 (37.5%).

With the Nazi conquest of the city in July 1941 part of the Jewish population fled into the interior of Russia. The city was destroyed in a fire started by the retreating Red Army. The 16,000 Jews who remained behind were imprisoned in a ghetto. On October 8, 1941, their systematic liquidation began. After the liberation of the city from the Germans Jews began to return. In the later 1960s the Jewish population was estimated at about 20,000 but there was no synagogue. Most left during the large-scale emigration of the 1990s.

Residence

In the 1939 register Simon and Fanny Glynn 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 Glynn family to 50 Blundell Drive which is at bottom left of the photo

Stanley Kaplan (Copley) (1925 - 2013)

Stanley Kaplan, is the husband of Sylvia Abrahamson, a sister of Dorothy Sophia Abrahamson, the 2nd wife of my maternal grandfather Marcus Levin. Abrahamson family HERE. Born Stanley Kaplan, he changed his name to Stanley Copley sometime between 1949 - 1951

Parents: Morris Kaplan (1902 - 1967) and Leah Phillips (1895 - 1971)

Tombstones for Stanley's parents, Morris and Leah. They are both buried in the Rainsough Jewish cemetery, Manchester, England

Born: 27 September 1925 in Manchester, England

Married: Sylvia Abrahamson in (January - March) 1949 in Manchester, England. Sylvia was 25 years old and Stanley was 23. Stanley changed his surname to Copley sometime after his marriage but before the birth of his daughter in 1951

Children:

Their first child was born when Stanley was 25 and Sylvia  was 27. Their second and last child was born when Stanley was 34 and Sylvia 35

• Sheila Copley 1951 - 
• Jonathan Copley 1958 -

Death
14 December 2013 in London, England, age 88

Sylvia Abrahamson (1923 - 2025 )

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

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

Tombstones for Sylvia's parents, Louis and Ettie. They are both buried in the Rainsough Jewish cemetery, Manchester, England

Born: (April - June) 1923 in Manchester, England

Married: Stanley Kaplan in (January - March) 1949 in Manchester, England. Sylvia was 25 years old and Stanley was 23. Stanley changed his surname to Copley sometime after his marriage but before the birth of his daughter in 1951

Children:

Their first child was born when Stanley was 25 and Sylvia  was 27. Their second and last child was born when Stanley was 34 and Sylvia 35

• Sheila Copley 1951 - 
• Jonathan Copley 1958 -

Sylvia

Biography

Sylvia was an ARP (Air Raid Precautions) warden during World War 2. She trained as a teacher at age 42, teaching adults English, including in prisons.

Death

Sylvia passed away on the 9th June 2025, age 102, at the Jewish Care Home in Barnet, North London where she had been for a few weeks. She had become increasingly frail since she broke her hip some months earlier. Her funeral was on 10th June 2025 at the Great western Cemetery in Cheshunt, Hertfordshire, England

Solomon Klein (Clynes) (1915 - 2002)

Solomon Klein, known as Sol, is the husband of Eva Abrahamson, a sister of Dorothy Sophia Abrahamson, the 2nd wife of my maternal grandfather Marcus Levin. Abrahamson family HERE. Born Solomon Klein, he changed his name by deed poll in September 1943 to Solomon Clynes

Parents: Harry Klein (1891 - 1960) and Blema Hecht (1891 - 1980)

Tombstones for Solomon's parents, Harry and Blema. They are both buried in the Failsworth Jewish cemetery, Manchester, England

Born: 19 November 1915 in Manchester, England

Occupation: Chemistry and science teacher at Manchester Grammar School from 1938 to 1988, which was interrupted by his war service. He had a B.Sc. in Chemistry

Solomon authored a school chemistry textbook, "A New Chemistry", English Universities Press, 1971, 372 pages

Engagement

The Jewish Chronicle - Aug 16 1940

MR. S. KLEIN AND DR. EVA ABRAHAMSON

The engagement is announced of Sol Klein, B.Sc., elder son of Mr. and Mrs. H. Klein, of 117, Polefield Road, Prestwich, to Eva Abrahamson, MB.. Ch.B., daughter of the Rev. L. and Mrs. Abrahamson, of 238, Gt. Clowes Street, Salford, 7

Married: Eva Abrahamson on (April - June) 1941 in Manchester, England. Eva and Solomon were both 25 years old. Solomon changed his surname by deed poll to Clynes in September 1943

Solomon changing his name by deed poll from Klein to Clynes on 15 September 1943

Children:

Their only child was born when Solomon was 27 and Eva  was 26

• Rona Gillian Clynes 1943 - 1991

Census details

1939 Register

In the 1939 register Solomon was living at 32 Charnley Road, Blackpool, England and his occupation is a chemistry master

Military

Served abroad during World War 2. Was a major

Death
2 September 2002 at Maurice Fineberg House in Manchester, England, age 86

Obituary

Lancashire Telegraph

Former mayor dies aged 86

13th September 2002

A WELL-respected former Mayor of Prestwich has died at the age of 86.

Mr Solomon Clynes, known as Sol, died last week, less than 18 months after the sudden death of his beloved wife, Dr Eva Clynes.

The couple, of Danesway, Prestwich, were popular figures and in 1971 were Mayor and Mayoress, before local government re-organisation when Prestwich became part of Bury.

Mr Clynes also served on Bury Council from 1974 to 1976 as a Liberal and was a JP from 1969.

As a former head of science at Manchester Grammar School, Mr Clynes organised school summer camps. He retained strong links with the school after his retirement.

Residence

Solomon and his family lived at 10 Daneshill, Prestwich, Manchester, England

Abraham Fields (Feil) (1908 - 1988)

Abraham Feil is the husband of Miriam Bella Abrahamson, a sister of Dorothy Sophia Abrahamson, the 2nd wife of my maternal grandfather Marcus Levin. Abrahamson family HERE. Born Abraham Feil, in 1947 he changed his name by deed poll to Abraham Fields

Parents: Jacob Feil (1990 - 1939) and Yetta Igel (1880 - 1965)

Born: 25 September 1908 in Manchester, England

Hebrew Name: Avraham son of Ya'akov

Occupation: Pharmacist

Married: Miriam Bella Abrahamson on 1 June 1938 in Manchester, England. Miriam was 24 years old and Abraham 29

Miriam and Abraham on their wedding day

Marriage certificate for Miriam and Abraham

Children:

Their eldest child was born when Abraham was 34 and Miriam 29 and their youngest child was born when Abraham was 38 and Miriam 33

• Janet Feil 1943 - 
• Geoffrey Fields 1948 -

Census details

1911 Census
Abraham and his family are living at 7 Joynson Street, Manchester, England in a 5 roomed house. His father, Jacob Feil, is a tailor's presser age 32, his mother Yetta is age 28 and the children are Lena age 6 and a half and Abraham age 2 and a half. Boarding with them is the Oxenberg family



1939 Register
In the 1939 register the family are living at 15 Southgate, Manchester, England. Abraham is a manager of a retail pharmacy and a certified masseur (part-time)

Photos

Photos of Abraham Fields (sourced from the Ancestry website)

Death
3 December 1988 in Manchester, England,age 80. Abraham is buried in the Failsworth Jewish Cemetery, Manchester, England

Death certificate

Death certificate for Abraham Fields

Tombstone

Tombstone inscription: In loving memory of Abraham Fields who died on December 3rd 1988 in his 81st year. Ever in the thoughts of his wife, daughter, son, son-in-law, daughter-in-law and grandchildren. Remembered with affection by relatives and friends. The crown on a good name excels all. M.H.D.S.R.I.P.

Hebrew translation: Here lies Reb (=Mr.) Avraham son of the late Reb Ya'akov, who went to his world 24 Kislev 5749. May his soul be bound up in the bond of life.

Probate

Probate for Abraham Fields dated 12 April 1989. He lived at 15 Southgate, Urmston, Manchester and the value of his probate was £78.047

Residences

In 1911 Abraham and his family are living at 7 Joynson Street, Bury, Manchester, England

In the 1939 Register Miriam and Abraham are living at 15 Southgate, Manchester, England. Abraham lived there until his death and Miriam lived there until she went into a nursing home in January 2015