Surname Saturday: Mojsabovsky or Mezhibovsky

Back in 2012 for a Surname Saturday I wrote about the Surname Mojsabovsky

I wrote I didn’t know the etymology of the name, or exactly how to spell it. With a lot of ancestral surnames I’ve learned spelling is often phonetic, and this is especially true with names of Hebrew or Yiddish origin. Since these languages use a different alphabet than English, names go through a ‘transliteration’ that doesn’t have set rules.

I’ve recently come across a surname that may be what I was searching for: Mezhibovsky. There are a handful of hits with the surname on Google, as well as in the JewishGen databases. It’s about as common as my ancestral surname, Cruvant, but it does exist. And, like ‘Cruvant,’ it seems to be a location-based surname, referencing the town Mezhybozhe/Medzhybizh in the Western Ukraine. (Dictionary of Jewish Surnames from the Russian Empire, Alexander Beider). The town is considered the birthplace of the Hasidic movement, as the movement’s founder, the Baal Shem Tov, lived there from 1742-1760. The Hasidic movement definitely spread to Lithuania where my second great grandmother Minnie married Moshe Leyb Cruvant. Whether Minnie’s family was originally from Mezhybozhe, is uncertain, but an intriguing possibility.

On the towns of Krūvandai and Čekiškė, as well as the Lithuanian Language

It is almost a certainty that the surnames Cruvant/Kruvant/Kruvand/Kruvant come from the Lithuanian town of Krūvandai. We have traced ancestors back to the nearby (5.5 km) town of Čekiškė. One cousin told me that his family lore said the Lithuanian town got its name from the family. Regardless of whether the chicken or egg came first, there is still the unanswered question: What does it mean?

I decided to ask on a Lithuanian Genealogy Facebook group.

I've learned Krūvandai was founded in the 1600s, and named after a particularly bloody battle in the Polish-Swedish wars (1600-1629). 'Kraujas' means 'blood.' 'Kruvinas' means 'bloody.' This information pretty much sets to rest any question of which came first. Jewish family surnames were uncommon in 17th century Eastern Europe. They weren't required by law until the late 18th, early 19th century, depending upon the area.

My query on FB did result in an enthusiastic contact fluent in both Lithuanian and English, with current relatives in Krūvandai. In addition to providing me with the information above, he translated from a recent book a chapter on the history of the Jewish community in Čekiškė. A handful of 20th-century cousins of mine were named in the chapter. Sept 4, 1941 marked the violent end of the Jewish community.

I also learned that in the Lithuanian language, surnames are gendered. That is, a male cousin might be referred to in documents with the surname 'Kruvandas,' a female cousin either as 'Kruvandaite' or 'Kruvandiene' depending on whether unmarried or married, respectively.

The images are of a synagogue in Čekiškė that still stands. An older synagogue was destroyed in an 1887 fire, and rebuilt. My second great grandfather and his family left in approximately 1886-1887. While they would never have seen the current synagogue, the cousins who remained would have worshipped there for fifty years.

Surnames Including Collateral Branches - Updated

Back in 2009 I exported a list of surnames from my database, and calculated the frequency of each using this Word Frequency Counter.

Here's an updated list of surnames with counts greater than 10

217 (C/K)R(U/OO/I)V(A/O)N(T/D) This surname has as many variant spellings as one can imagine phonetically. KRUVAND, KRUVANT, and CRUVANT are the three most common.
140 VANEVERY/VAN IVEREN
92 BLATT/BLATYTA
85 DENYER
83 NEWMARK
55 FEINSTEIN
51 SWAYZE
45 DEUT(S)CH
45 COHEN
31 BRAY
30 ODELSON
21 DUBINSKY
20 LICHTMAN
20 PERLIK
17 VANN
16 FUDEMBERG
16 FELDMAN
16 OXENHANDLER
16 SIVKIN
15 BRANNON
15 ALTMAN
15 HARTLEY
14 OBERMAN
14 WEINBERG
13 SPEAR
13 BENOLD
13 BERGER
12 BROWN
12 GOLD
12 ROSS
12 WYMAN
11 SAMBOR
11 COLBERT
11 HORTON
10 CAMPBELL
10 GEIL
10 GRIFFITH
10 GROSSMAN
10 KLINSKY
10 PERKINS
10 ZIGLER
10 ZIMMERMAN

I've also started researching a second database since then. Here are the surnames from that database with counts greater than 5.

31 WALLACE

25 MOULDON
25 FULKERSON

22 GOBER

18 DAVENPORT

12 HAZEL

14 BROWN
14 SEDOR

12 BALDWIN

10 BAUER
10 FUNKE
10 WILLIAMS
8 ALCORN

8 OLSON

7 BOYD
7 RUFFERT
7 TAYLOR
7 USREY
6 MATHENY

6 SCHROCK

6 VOLK

Surname Saturday: Hartley

Discuss a surname and mention its origins, its geographical location(s) and how it fits into your genealogy research.

Hartley

Hartley is a locational surname derived from the Old English 'Heort' (Hart) and 'Leah' (Wood or clearing). George W. Hartley is my 3rd great grandfather. His descendants testified in front of The Dawes Commission that he and his wife were part Native American. Most of their descendants remained in Texas.

***

The numbering below follows the d'Aboville system. The first digit represents the order surnames make their first appearance on my ahnentafel. (I've emboldened the names of  my direct ancestors.)

16. George W. Hartley ( - 1835) married Eliza Beasley

16.1 Samuel Tillman Hartley (1830-1920) married (a) Margaret Rawls (1848-?) (b)
Nancy Virginia Rock (1853-1932)
16.2 Sarah Ann Hartley (1836-1898) married (a) Ebenezer Ophan Denyer (1828-1872) (b) George Willliam Foster
16.3 William Hartley (1844-)

16.1a.1 Caroline (Callie) Texanna Hartley (1866 – 1941) married Jesse Taylor
16.1a.2 Georgia Amelia Hartley (1870 – 1940) married Miles Phillips
16.1a.3 Robert Hilliard Hartley (1872 – ) married Margaret LNU
16.1a.4 Virginia Hartley (1874 – ) married Henry Schultz (1870-)
16.1a.5 Helena Senthliza Hartley (1875 –)
16.1a.6 Sophronia Hartley (1876 –) married James Cagle (1864- )
16.1a.7 Amie Hartley (1881 – )
16.1a.8 Samuel Hamler Hartley (1885 – 1964)
16.1b.1 Edna Hartley (1891-1973) married Manuel Taylor McCorkle (1887-1933)

16.2a Follow their descent at 8.2.3 
16.2b.1 Eliza Caroline Foster (1875-1916) married William T Reeves (1871-)
16.2b.2 George William Foster (1877-1957)
16.2b.3 Sarah Ann Foster (1878-1961) married William McCarty (1865-1953)

16.1a.3.1 Bessie Leanner Hartley (1896-)
16.1a.3.2 Youler May Hartley (1898- )
16.1a.3.3. Mantie Hartley (1901 - )
16.1a.4.1 Birdie Schultz (1890- )
16.1a.4.2 Callie Schultz (1891- )
16.1a.4.3 Julia Schultz (1897- )
16.1a.4.4 Richard Schultz (1899- )
16.1a.6.1 Hazel Cagle (1894- )
16.1a.6.2 Dessie Cagle (1898- )
16.1a.6.3 Flossie Cagle (1905- )
16.1a.6.4 Edna Cagle (1907- )
16.1a.6.5 Ruby Cagle (1911- )
16.1a.6.6 Otis Cagle (1915- )
16.1b.1.1 Clarence Taylor McCorkle (1923-1988)
16.1b.1.2 Grady McCorkle (1925-1990)

16.2b.1.1 Nora Alice Reeves (1893-1985)
16.2b.1.2 Ada Bell Reeves (1895-1948) married Riley Green Vann (1890-1949)
16.2b.1.3 James Allen Reeves (1897-)
16.2b.1.4 Lona Mae Reeves (1906-) married Galveston Clark Pittman
16.2b.3.1 Lillie May McCarty
16.2b.3.2 Ollie McCarty (1898-1973) married Oda LNU
16.2b.3.3 William Franklin McCarty (1900-1971) married Ola Dee McWhorter (1902-1980)
16.2b.3.4 Elizabeth Ann McCarty (1904-1996) married Oscar Marian McWhorter (1895-1981)

16.2b.3.2.1 Ruben McCarty (1918-1997)
16.2b.3.3.1 Pearl Louise McCarty (1926-2007)
16.2b.3.3.2 Joy Lynn McCarty (1942-1971)

My number is 16.2a.3.8.1.3

Surname Saturday: Genealogy Filk

Bill West of West In New England recently announced the Second Geneabloggers' Just Make Up the Lyrics Challenge 

1. Set the names of your ancestors to the music of any song. It can be
any number of names, any song. Just remember to mention what song
you are using so we can all sing along as we read!

More info

While I posted a comment on the first round of this back in 2009, apparently I was unable to come up with a contribution, which surprises me. I love writing filks, and what could possibly have caught my attention more than a genealogical filk challenge?!

I hear a few head scratches. What's filk?

One definition: A popular or folk song with lyrics revised or completely new lyrics and/or music, intended for humorous effect when read, and/or to be sung late at night at Science Fiction conventions.

While the term was invented for the science fiction community (some say it was originally a typo for 'folk' music) there's no reason its use can't be broadened to include any similar parodies.

I may have passed on the 2009 challenge, but I'm not passing this time around. (the lyrics of the final verse below are very close to the original, but the original lyrics worked quite well.)

NewmarkCruvantFeinsteinLichtmanAdlerDeutschAndDenyer
Lyrics by John Newmark, 2014
Sung to the tune of: Supercalifragilisticexpealidocious, by The Sherman Brothers, 1964

Um diddle diddle diddle um diddle ay
Um diddle diddle diddle um diddle ay
NewmarkCruvantFeinsteinLichtmanAdlerDeutschAndDenyer
Even though our surnames, yes
We often can’t remember
If we say them long enough
We’ll know them by December
NewmarkCruvantFeinsteinLichtmanAdlerDeutschAndDenyer

Um diddle diddle diddle um diddle ay
Um diddle diddle diddle um diddle ay
Because I was confused as heck
When I was just a lad
My father taught a little trick
It wasn’t quite so bad
“Our surnames might be bothersome
But I bet you didn’t know
String all our names together
And this is how it goes:

NewmarkCruvantFeinsteinLichtmanAdlerDeutschAndDenyer”
Even though my surnames, yes
I couldn’t quite remember
When I said them long enough
I knew them by December
NewmarkCruvantFeinsteinLichtmanAdlerDeutschAndDenyer

Um diddle diddle diddle um diddle ay
Um diddle diddle diddle um diddle ay
So when your names you can’t recall
There’s no need for dismay
Just string your names together
In any sort of way
But better do it carefully
Or it could change your life
One night I taught this to me girl
And now me girl's my wife!
She’s WallaceGoberTaylorBlackmanFulkersonAndSchrock
WallaceGoberTaylorBlackmanFulkersonAndSchrock
I’m NewmarkCruvantFeinsteinLichtmanAdlerDeutschAndDenyer
NewmarkCruvantFeinsteinLichtmanAdlerDeutschAndDenyer

Surname Saturday: Stuart / Stewart

Discuss a surname and mention its origins, its geographical location(s) and how it fits into your genealogy research.

I've been discussing my surnames so far for this meme in the order in which they appear in my ahnentafel (ancestry table). However, I am going to skip over a few surnames. For each of these surnames I only know one individual, and I have no documentation to back up their maiden names beyond family lore. I hope to return to their surnames at a later date.

Stuart / Stewart

Stuart/Stewart is a royal Scottish surname, as well as a British occupational surname for a senior official.

Abigail Stuart was the second wife of my second great grandfather, Samuel Van Every. I know her parents, but I don't know her paternal grandfather. There was a George Stuart among the Loyalist settlers of Niagara, though I am currently unsure if he's related.

Am I related to the royal Stuarts? That would be nice. As would being related to Sir Patrick. At the moment I have no proof of either.

The numbering below follows the d'Aboville system. The first digit represents the order surnames make their first appearance on my ahnentafel.

I've emboldened my direct ancestors, and indicated their place of birth where known.

15. Elihu Stuart (1788-1826) Ontario, Canada married Johanna Swayze (1796-1854) Welland, Ontario, Canada

15.1 Pamela Stuart (1816-1859) Ontario
15.2 Barney Stuart (1818-?) Ontario
15.3 Elisha Travis Stuart (1823-1895) Ontario married Zilla Howell (1826-1898)
15.4 Abigail Stuart (1825-1866) Beaverdam, Welland, Ontario married Samuel Van Every (1820-1888) Dumfries, Brant, Ontario

15.4.1 George Van Every (1848-1932) Dumfries, Brant, Ontario married Carolyn Allen (1853-1931)
15.4.2 Emily Van Every (1850-1853) Dumfries, Brant, Ontario
15.4.3 Alice Van Every (1852-1930) St. George, Brant, Ontario married Charles Brock Van Every (1846-1902) (2nd cousins)
15.4.5 Clara Van Every (1855-1860) Middleville, Barry, Michigan, US
15.4.6 Emma Van Every (1856-?) Middleville, Barry, Michigan
15.4.7 Judson Adrian Van Every (1858-1923) Middleville, Barry, Michigan married Mary Effie Vardy (1866-?)
15.4.8 Charles Van Every (1861-1920) Middleville, Barry, Michigan
15.4.9 Melvin Elijah Van Every (1863-1929) Middleville, Barry, Michigan married Margaret Jane Denyer (1868-1923) Kyle, Hays, Texas [follow their descent at 4.1.2.1.1.3.9.1.12]
15.4.10 Willie Van Every (1866-1866) Middleville, Barry, Michigan

My number is 15.4.9.8.1.3

Surname Saturday: Perlik

Discuss a surname and mention its origins, its geographical location(s) and how it fits into your genealogy research.

Perlik

There is some thought that the Perlik surname has a similar etymology as the surname, Flach. If this is the case it may come from the Czech ‘Vlach’ meaning ‘foreigner.’ It might also be a topographic name for someone living on a flat terrain, from the Middle Low German, ‘vlak.’ It could also be an occupational name for a blacksmith, from Middle High German, ‘vlach,’ meaning ‘smooth.’

My Perlik ancestors may have come from Szczebrzeszyn, Poland, which is near the Ukraine border. The non-existent cities of ‘Szdobirtzen, Russia'  and ‘Szdobeitzen, Poland' appeared on some naturalization papers, and Szczebrzeszyn is a guess. My great-great grandmother Anna Perlik married Selig Dudelsack, and the Dudelsacks were from the nearby Volhynia region.

In America the Perliks settled in St. Louis, Chicago, and perhaps Philadelphia.

The numbering below follows the d'Aboville system. The first digit represents the order surnames make their first appearance on my ahnentafel.

I've emboldened my direct ancestors.

11. Isaac Wolf Perlik married Freida LIPMAN

11.1 Anna Perlik (1868–1932) married Selig DUDELSACK (follow their descent at 3.7)
11.2 Jacob Perlik (1879- 951) married Bessie ROSENBLATT (1883-1918) and Bertha DAVIDSON
11.3 Bluma Perlik married Israel BLOOM (*)

11.2.1 Anne Perlik (1905-1978) married Sam KLINSKY (1900-1962)
11.2.2 Harry Perlik (1907-1994) married Gladys (1907-1989)
11.2.3 Belle Perlik (1909-1993) married Benjamin ADELMAN (1907-1983)
11.2.4 Ceale Perlik (1912-1987) married  Jerome STONE
11.2.5 Irving Perlik (1914-2006)
11.2.6 Mary Perlik (1916-2008) married Edward KRAKOFF (1911-1987)
11.2.7 Sarah Perlik (1918-1918)
11.2.8. David Perlik (1920-1989)

(*) A daughter of Selig and Anna (Perlik) Dudelsack recorded the existence of a third sibling named Bluma who settled in Philadelphia and married someone named Israel Bloom. Corroborating evidence of this has not yet been uncovered.

My number is 11.1.2.2.1.3 

Surname Saturday: Mojsabovsky

Discuss a surname and mention its origins, its geographical location(s) and how it fits into your genealogy research.

Mojsabovsky is a surname for which I am uncertain of both origin, and spelling. I believe it to be the maiden name of my great-great grandmother, Minnie or Michalia.  She married Moshe Leyb Cruvant in in the late 19th century. The Cruvant family was from Cekiske, Lithuania; however, family lore says Minnie was from the area of Kiev. Either the city or the region. The region was part of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania between 1362-1569, but was then transferred to Poland, and in 1793 became part of Russia. Her death certificate says Bolrusk, for which JewishGen suggests Belarus. Modern day Belarus borders Lithuania in the North and the southern part isn't too far from Kiev.

The spelling is how it appears on family records; her death certificate says Moshinbovsky. The informant was a son-in-law. The names of her parents below also come from the death certificate.

The numbering below follows the d'Aboville system. The first digit represents the order surnames make their first appearance on my ahnentafel.

I've emboldened my direct ancestors.

10. Mandel Mojsabovsky married Sarah Goldstein

10.1 Michalia (Minnie) Mojsabovsky  (1863-1924) married Moshe Leyb Cruvant (1857-1911)

Follow the descent of Minnie and Moshe at 5.1.3

My number is 10.1.3.1.1.3

Surname Saturday: Cantkert

Discuss a surname and mention its origins, its geographical location(s) and how it fits into your genealogy research.

Cantkert is a surname for which I am uncertain of its origin. I believe it to be the maiden name of my great-great grandmother, Rose.  She married Samuel Newmark in Poland in the late 19th century. The last Polish town of record I have for the Newmark family is Warka, Poland, and JewishGen lists Cantkert in their Warka Surname List.  However, my great great grandmother's surname has appeared differently in several documents. The names of her parents are known only through her death certificate.

I am uncertain if there is any relationship to Ida Cantkert, or her siblings, memorialized in Serge Klarsfeld's French Children of the Holocaust.

The numbering below follows the d'Aboville system. The first digit represents the order surnames make their first appearance on my ahnentafel.  The information in the first two generations is based on some records I have found online and some assumptions noted below.

I've emboldened my direct ancestors.

9. Szmul Cantkert (? - 1894)

9.1 Hirsch Cantkert (?-?) married Bryn __
9.2 Manas Cantkert
9.3 Szmerek Cantkert

9.1.1 Rose Cantkert (1865-1943) married Samuel Newmark (1862-1940)

Follow the descent of Rose and Samuel at 1.1.

My number is 9.1.1.2.1.1.3


Research Notes

In the 1907 Warka voter lists (available on both JewishGen and Ancestry) there were three apparent Cantkert brothers: Hersz, Manas, and Szmerek - all listed with the father Szmul.  The first two generations above are based on the good possibility that Hersz was the father of my great great grandmother, though it is not certain.  It appears to be an uncommon surname, and a small village, so the matching given name is a good indicator.

Records in the JewishGen databases for which I have recently contacted the Polish State Archives seeking copies:

• 1894 death record from Warka for a Szmul Josek Cantkert
• 1893 marriage record for a Manas Cantkert to a Brandla Siniawer
• 1860 birth record for a Szmerek Cantkert
• 1887 marriage record for a Szmerka Cantkert to an Ajdla Wortman

Surname Saturday: Denyer

It's been a year since the last installment, but I return with the Surname Saturday blogging meme.

Discuss a surname and mention its origins, its geographical location(s) and how it fits into your genealogy research.

Denyer is considered by many a nickname for a poor or insignificant man, from the name of a very small medieval coin (Middle English/Old French: Denier).  My Denyer ancestors immigrated to America from England in the 1800s.


The numbering below follows the d'Aboville system, slightly modified to account for multiple spouses.
The first digit represents the order surnames make their first appearance on my ahnentafel.  With this installment, I conclude the 8 surnames of my great grandparents.

I've emboldened my direct ancestors, and __s indicate living, or potentially living, relatives. I've added some italicized geographical notes for my direct ancestors.

8. William DENYER (1770- ) Farlington, Hampshire, England married Jane GOLDFINCH (1770- ) Portsea, Hampshire, England

Marriage Allegation: Denyer, William, of Farlington, lime-burner, 21, b., & Jane Goldfinch, of Portsea, 21, sp., at P., 22 Oct., 1791.

8.1 Georgiana DENYER (1793- ) Hampshire, England
8.2 William DENYER (1794-1848) Hampshire England married Elizabeth SLIVER (1798-1840) New Britain Twp, Bucks Co., Pennsylvania
8.3 John Henry DENYER (1795- ) Hampshire England
8.4 James DENYER (1798- ) Hampshire England
8.5 Barnard Goldfinch DENYER (1800- ) Hampshire England
8.6 Charles DENYER (1802- ) Hampshire England
8.7 Jane DENYER (1804- ) Hampshire England
8.8 George DENYER (1807- ) Hampshire England

William Denyer was baptized July 15, 1795 in Farlington, Hampshire, England. Family histories say he was born in November of 1794. According to the same family histories, William and Elizabeth were married in Baltimore, Maryland, on May 31, 1821.

8.2.1 Samuel Jennings Sliver DENYER (1822-1861) Baltimore, Maryland married Zerelda Ann SINGLETON (-1867)
8.2.2 Elizabeth Ann Sliver DENYER (1825- ) Bucks, PA, married John PRATT (1806-1871)
8.2.3 Ebenezer Opham DENYER (1828-1872) Bucks, PA, married Sarah Ann HARTLEY (1836-1898)
8.2.4 Jane Goldfinch DENYER (1831- ) Bucks, PA, married Henry JOHNSON
8.2.5 William Sliver DENYER (1834- ) Bucks, PA, married (a) Dilly Susanna CORLEY (-1863) and (b)Nancy Emeline RHODES
8.2.6 Leonidas Ross DENYER (1837-1837) New Albany, Indiana

Ebenezer and Sarah were married in Gonzales County, Texas on May 14, 1854

8.2.1.1 Herminie Aurelia DENYER (1850-1866)
8.2.1.2 Amanda Jane DENYER (1853-1936) married Walter Thomas BRANNON (1852-1930)
8.2.1.3 Robert C.H. DENYER (1854-) married M. Jennie WILDMAN (1860-)
8.2.1.4 Albert Sherwood DENYER, (1856-)
8.2.1.5 Ida Elizabeth Sammie DENYER, (1859-1899) married Lewis Lamar GREEN
8.2.2.1 Minerva PRATT (1846- ) married Joseph McAfee COULTER (1846- )
8.2.2.2 Emily PRAT (1848-1853)
8.2.2.3 Maria Denyer PRATT (1852-)
8.2.3.1 Mary Susan DENYER (1860-1860)
8.2.3.2 Samuel Wiliam DENYER (1866-1928) married Alice C. GOLLIHAR
8.2.3.3 Margaret Jane McAlpin Monteroy DENYER (1868-1923) married Melvin Elijah VAN EVERY (1863-1929)
8.2.3.4 Ezekiel DENYER (1870-1870)
8.2.5b.1 Andre J DENYER, (1865-) married (a) Sophronia GARDNER and (b) Mary __

According to family records, Margaret was born in Kyle, Hays, Texas. She and Melvin were married in Buda, Hays, Texas, Aug 29, 1883.

8.2.1.2.1 Geneva Ella BRANNON (1875-1962) married Howell PERKINS
8.2.1.2.2 John Samuel BRANNON (1877-1970) married Carrie GIRLINGHOUSE
8.2.1.2.3 George Rely BRANNON (1879-1888)
8.2.1.2.4 Lauretta Ann BRANNON (1882- )
8.2.1.2.5 James Archibald BRANNON (1884-1983) married Henrietta CLIFTON (1888-1973)
8.2.1.2.6 Walter Clifford BRANNON (1886-1906)
8.2.1.2.7 Irving Cornelius BRANNON, (1889-1967)
8.2.1.2.8 Henry Luther BRANNON, (1891-1941) married Irene Maude DROST (1889-1970)
8.2.1.3.1 Lulu Lee DENYER (1882- ) married I. E. KNIGHT
8.2.1.3.2 Minnie May DENYER (1884- )
8.2.1.3.3 Samuel Arthur DENYER (1886- )
8.2.1.3.4 Thomas Hilliard DENYER (1888- )
8.2.1.3.5 Elsie DENYER
8.2.1.3.6 Myrtle DENYER
8.2.1.4.1 Jessie DENYER, (1883-)
8.2.1.4.2 Charles DENYER
8.2.1.5.1 Ida GREEN (1884-)
8.2.1.5.2 Lewis Lamar JR GREEN (1886-)
8.2.1.5.3 Ola GREEN (1887-)
8.2.1.5.4 Gussie Denyer GREEN (1894-1996) married Percival Clayton WOOD
8.2.2.1.1 Emma COULTER (1869-1873)
8.2.2.1.2 Mary Mazilla COULTER (1871-)
8.2.2.1.3 Joseph McAfee COULTER (1874-)
8.2.2.1.4 Morrison John Scott COULTER (1877-)
8.2.2.1.5 Iola May COULTER (1880-)
8.2.2.1.6 Minerva Ann COULTER (1883-)
8.2.2.1.7 Arrena Elizabeth COULTER (1886-)
8.2.3.2.1 William Ebenezer DENYER (1885-1889)
8.2.3.2.2 Alfred DENYER (1886-1946) married Dollie CRAWL (1890-1922)
8.2.3.2.3 Arthur Luther DENYER (1888-1946)
8.2.3.2.4 Addie E DENYER (1890- )
8.2.3.4.5 Zenovie DENYER (1891- )
8.2.3.2.6 Lee C DENYER (1894-1943) married Ida Mae WANECK
8.2.3.2.7 Samuel Drake DENYER (1896-1964) married Georgina ANDERSON
8.2.3.2.8 William George DENYER (1898-1972) married Thresia Jane OLIVER (1909-2005)
8.2.3.2.9 Melvin Edwin DENYER (1900-1956) married Inez HALLIBURTON (1907-1985)
8.2.3.3.1 Minnie Ray VAN EVERY, (1884-1969) married August Albert BENOLD (1883-1942)
8.2.3.3.2 Samuel Ophan VAN EVERY (1886-1933) married (a) Esther Othillia DAHLIN (1886-1968) and (b) Amy C Johnston (1898- )
8.2.3.3.3 Abigail VAN EVERY (1888-1888)
8.2.3.3.4 Willa Ann VAN EVERY (1890-1916) married Lexington ROBERTS
8.2.3.3.5 Delbert VAN EVERY (1890-1890)
8.2.3.3.6 Evelyn Syvela VAN EVERY (1892-1982) married (a) William CAMPBELL ( -1925) and (b) I.T. HERRIN and (c) W.J. CRABTREE
8.2.3.3.7 Melvin Theodore VAN EVERY (1898-1899)
8.2.3.3.8 Myrtle Ethel VAN EVERY (1900-1951) married (a) Jack and (b) Alfred H. CONNEVEY and (c) Dale Bowlby RIDGELY and (d) Martin Joel DEUTSCH (1907-1991)
8.2.5b.1b.1 Floyd F DENYER (1899- )
8.2.5b.1b.2 Daisy DENYER, (1910- )
8.2.5b.1b.3 Pearl DENYER, (1912- )
8.2.5b.1b.4 Earl Thomas DENYER (1914-1984) married Helena Amoret NEBLOCK (1923- )
8.2.5b.1b.5 Silas DENYER (1917- )

According to family records, Myrtle was born in Maxwell, Caldwell, Texas. She and Martin were married in Springfield, Illinois, December 31, 1936.  They were living in St. Louis, Missouri.

8.2.3.2.2.1 William Lee DENYER (1915-1967)
8.2.3.2.9.1 Melvin Edwin JR DENYER (1927-1996) married Gladys Marion POHLER (1934-1995)
8.2.3.3.1.1 Marguerite BENOLD (1906-1998) married Roswell SPEAR (1905-1974) and Robert E SPENCER
8.2.3.3.1.2 Shirley Ruth BENOLD (1908-2000) married Virgil RIDDELL(1899-1969) and Leonard Lafay GRIFFITH (1907-1940)
8.2.3.3.1.3 August Wilson BENOLD (1911-1977) married Eva Etta REILEY
8.2.3.3.1.4 Charles BENOLD (1913-1913)
8.2.3.3.1.5 Elsa Louise BENOLD (1913-2002) married Marcus Lester WALTERMIRE (1910-2006)
8.2.3.3.1.6 Ruby BENOLD (1916-2006) married LEWIS
8.2.3.3.1.7 Evelyn BENOLD (1918-1938) married John Ellis LANIER (1914-1938)
8.2.3.3.1.8 Frances Lucille BENOLD (1922-1996) married Harley Hugh SEARCY (1917-1986)
8.2.3.3.2a.1 Everett Clarence VAN EVERY (1906-1924)
8.2.3.3.4.1 Agnes Lee ROBERTS (1910-1987) married Phil GATES (1907-1986)
8.2.3.3.6a.1 Elizabeth Dribel CAMPBELL (1914-1996)
8.2.3.3.6a.2 William Venable CAMPBELL (1916-2004) married ______

My number is 8.2.3.3.8d.1.3

Surname Saturday: Lichtman

It's been almost six months since the last installment, but I return with the Surname Saturday blogging meme.

Discuss a surname and mention its origins, its geographical location(s) and how it fits into your genealogy research.

Lichtman is an occupational surname for a chandler, being derived from Likht, the Yiddish word for candle.  My Lichtman ancestors were from an area of Transylvania, at the time under the rule of Austria-Hungary.  Today the towns are part of Romania.  My great grandmother Helen (nee Lichtman) Deutsch immigrated to the US in 1912, settling in Chicago.  A few of her siblings immigrated around the same time, while a few others remained in Hungary.  Of those who remained, most died in the Holocaust, though two nieces survived, and made it to Israel in 1964. One of their daughters made contact with our family a couple decades ago.  I know less dates for this surname branch than some others, but I include the information I do have.

The numbering below follows the d'Aboville system, slightly modified to indicate half-siblings.
The first digit represents the order surnames make their first appearance on my ahnentafel.
I've emboldened my direct ancestors, and __s indicate living, or potentially living, relatives.

7. Herman Lichtman
7.1 Israel Lichtman married (a) Betty Adler and (b) Sara Jonas (1858- ?)

 7.1a.1 Helen (Hermina) Lichtman (1881-1958) married Samuel Deutsch (1861-1938)

7.1b.1 Bertha Lichtman married Gold
7.1b.2 David Lichtman
7.1b.3 Frank (Fere) Lichtman
7.1b.4 Gizela Lichtman married Hoffman
7.1b.5 Rosa Lichtman ( - 1933)
7.1b.6 Eugene Lichtman (1896 - ?)

7.1a.7.1 Jean Deutsch (1899-1965) - married Bernard Kamerman (1889-1958)
7.1a.7.2 Armon Deutsch (1900-1908)
7.1a.7.3 Theodore Deutsch (902 –1980) married Frances Levy
7.1a.7.4 Edward Deutsch (1904 – 1973) - changed surname to Kameran
7.1a.7.5 Martin Deutsch (1907 – 1991) married (1) Myrtle Van Every (1900-1951) (2) Marjorie Shelp (1911-1985)
7.1a.7.6 Maurice Gerald Deutsch (1909 – 1950) married Dorothy Arkin (1906-1995)
7.1a.7.7 Berta Deutsch (1911 – 2003) married Herman Freed
7.1a.7.8 Allen Deutsch (1914 – 1988) married Jean Collier

7.1b.1.1 William Gold (1906 - ?)
7.1b.1.2 Emile Gold (1910 - ?) married Fox
7.1b.1.3 Albert Gold (1915 - ?)

7.1b.3.1 Andre Lichtman
7.1b.3.2 Ella Lichtman
7.1b.3.3 Mick Lichtman
7.1b.3.4 Sanyi Lichtman
7.1b.3.5 Ana Lichtman (1924 - 1989) married ___ Knapp (1924 - )

7.1b.4.1 ___ Hoffman
7.1b.4.2 ___ Hoffman
7.1b.4.3 Estyne Hoffman (1920-2006) married Jerome Cohler (1925-2003)
7.1b.4.4 Helen Hoffman (1922-1998) married ____ Ploetz

7.1b.6.1 __ Lichtman married Geraldine ___ (1925-2004)
7.1b.6.2 __ Lichtman

My number is: 7.1a.7.5.1.3

Surname Sunday?: Blatt

I continue with the Surname Saturday blogging theme, but am posting this a day late-

Discuss a surname and mention its origins, its geographical location(s) and how it fits into your genealogy research.

Blatt/Blatyta

Blatt as a Jewish surname comes from the Yiddish word Blat, meaning 'Leaf.'  My ancestor, Jacob Blatt, came from the town of Łosice, Poland. 

I may know the names of several of Jacob's siblings, and their father, if some research I've been given is correct.  Family notes handed down directly from Morris's daughters says his first wife was named Belle Wyman, and she died in Poland about 1892.  One of Morris's daughter's, Blanche, married a Wyman, and it was a family joke whether or not she married a cousin.  However, research has found a Morris, son of Jacob Blatyta in Losice, who married a Chaia Beila Boksern.  It's thought that Belle had a first husband before Morris, so that could explain the surname confusion.  Her maiden name could have been Wyman, and her first husband's name could have been Boksern.

Without evidence of Chaia Beila's first marriage, or birth records of Blanche and Anna indicating their mother's name, or some other documentation, I am left wondering whether there could have been two Jacob Blatts in the Łosice area, with a son named Morris. So below I start with Jacob until further evidence confirms the connection to the Blatyta family.

The numbering below follows the d'Aboville system.
__s indicate a living relative.

6. Jacob Blatt (Poland)

6.1 Morris Blatt (1862-1926) married (1) Belle Wyman (2) Mollie (Kellner) Katz (Łosice, Poland; St. Louis, MO, USA)

6.1.1 Blanche Blatt (1887-1960) married Jacob Wyman (St. Louis, MO; Los Angeles, CA)
6.1.2 Anna Blatt (1890-1965) married Herman Max Feinstein (St. Louis, MO)
6.1.3. Henry Blatt (1898-1968) married Berdye Reisman
6.1.4 Pearl Blatt (1903-1986) married Morris Dankner

6.1.1.1 Joe Wyman (1904-2007)
6.1.1.2 Louis Wyman (1905-1997)
6.1.1.3 David Wyman (1908-1909)
6.1.1.4 Sidney Wyman (1910-1978)
6.1.1.5 ___

6.1.2.1 Bernard Feinstein (1913-1968) married Belle Hoffman
6.1.2.2 Belle Feinstein (1914-2002) married Melvin Newmark
6.1.2.3 Seymour Feinstein (1917-1999) married Leonore Miller

My number is: 6.1.2.2.1.3

Surname Saturday: Cruvant

I continue with the Surname Saturday blogging theme -  

Discuss a surname and mention its origins, its geographical location(s) and how it fits into your genealogy research.

Cruvant / Kruvant / Cruvand / Kruvand / Kroovand

The Cruvant surname originated in Lithuania, likely named from the town Krūvandai.  The family has been traced back to Čekiškė, which is only 5 km north of Krūvandai.  Over the past two centuries, different branches of the family have chosen different phonetic spellings, the five most common are listed above.  My second great grandfather, Moshe Leyb Cruvant, appears to be the originator of the 'Cruvant' spelling.  Three branches of the family immigrated to St. Louis, though others made their way to New Jersey, Canada, and Israel.

I am indebted to a cousin for a large amount of research on the Cruvant families, and have assured her I will not share her research online.  So while I have a good amount of information on the descendants of four of Moshe Leyb's five brothers, I will not be sharing it below.  I also do not list relatives who I know are still living.

The numbering below follows the d'Aboville system.

5.
5.1
5.1.3 Moshe Leyb Cruvant (1857-1911) married Minnie Mojsabovski

5.1.3.1 Benjamin Cruvant (1883-1960) married (1) Goldie White (2) Dora Goldstein
5.1.3.2 David Thomas Cruvant (1885-1961) married Anna Ruben
5.1.3.3 Bertha Cruvant (1886-1978) married Barnet Newmark
5.1.3.4 Stella Crvuant (1889-1931) married Louis Julius Stern
5.1.3.5 Flora Cruvant (1892-1971) married Abraham Altman
5.1.3.6 Sol Cruvant (1893-1972) married Ida Waldman

5.1.3.1.1 Clifford Cruvant (1904-?)
5.1.3.1.2 Sarah M. Cruvant (1905-?)
5.1.3.1.3 Cecelia Cruvant (1917-2001) married Morris Markowitz
5.1.3.1.4 Morris Louis Cruvant (1920-1987) married Beatrice Morganstern

5.1.3.2.1 Bernard A Cruvant (1911-1965) married Edith Kenny
5.1.3.2.2 Naomi Melba Cruvant (1918-2000) married Sammie H Brown

5.1.3.3.1 Melvin Lester Newmark (1912-1992) married Belle Feinstein
5.1.3.3.2 Harold Newmark (1915-2003) married (1) Janice Liebovitz (2) Thelma Malpe Millstone
5.1.3.3.3 Mandel Newmark (1923-1945)

5.1.3.4.1 Aaron Cruvant Stern 1908-1981) married Mary Cohn
5.1.3.4.2 Marvyn Stern (1914-1993) married (1) Selma Rosalind Wolff (2) Lieselott Bilewski

5.1.3.5.1 Cruvant William Altman (1914-2008)

5.1.3.6.2 Monroe Leslie Cruvant (1918-1997)

My number is: 5.1.3.3.1.1.3


Photograph of modern day Kruvandai.
Source: photogalaxy.

Surname Saturday: Van Every

I continue with the Surname Saturday blogging theme -  

Discuss a surname and mention its origins, its geographical location(s) and how it fits into your genealogy research.

Van Every 

The Van Every surname originated in either Holland or Germany as a place name, possibly Everinghe, Holland or Jever, Germany.  The surname has been traced (by others) back to Frederick Van Iveren.  Two of his sons, Myndert and Carsten, immigrated to America in the late seventeenth century.

The numbering below follows the d'Aboville system.  I've only listed my direct ancestors for several generations until I reach my great grandfather, even though I do have more names in my database. Otherwise, this list would get way too long.

4. Frederick Van Iveren
4.1 Myndert Fredericksen (1636-1706) married Catherine Burger
4.1.2 Burger Van Iveren (1660-?) married Elizabeth Meyer
4.1.2.1 Martin Van Iveren (1685-1760) married Judith Holmes
4.1.2.1.1 McGregory Van Every (1723-1786) married Mary Jaycocks
4.1.2.1.1.3 David Van Every (1757-1820) married Sarah Showers
4.1.2.1.1.3.9 Andrew David Van Every (1798-1873) married Nancy Lucellas
4.1.2.1.1.3.9.1 Samuel Van Every (1820-1888) married (1) Cordelia Hitchcock (2) Abigail Stuart (3) Margaret Watkins [24 children]
4.1.2.1.1.3.9.1.12 Melvin Elijah Van Every (1863-1929) married (1) Margaret Jane Denyer (2) Josie Thetford

4.1.2.1.1.3.9.1.12.1 Minnie Ray Van Every (1884-1969) married August Albert Benold
4.1.2.1.1.3.9.1.12.2 Samuel Ophan Van Every (1886-1933) married (1) Esther Dahlin (2) Amy C. Johnston
4.1.2.1.1.3.9.1.12.3 Abigail Van Every (1888-1888)
4.1.2.1.1.3.9.1.12.4 Delbert Van Every (1890-1890)
4.1.2.1.1.3.9.1.12.5 Willa Van Every (1890-1916) married Lexington Roberts
4.1.2.1.1.3.9.1.12.6 Evelyn Syvela Van Every (1892-1982) married (1) William Campbell (2) IT Herrin (3) W. J. Crabtree
4.1.2.1.1.3.9.1.12.7 Melvin Theodore Van Every (1898-1899)
4.1.2.1.1.3.9.1.12.8 Myrtle Ethel Van Every (1900-1951) married (1) Dale Ridgely (2) Martin J Deutsch

4.1.2.1.1.3.9.1.12.1.1 Marguerite Benold (1906-1998) married (1) Roswell Spear (2) Robert Spencer
4.1.2.1.1.3.9.1.12.1.2 Shirley Ruth Benold (1908-2000) married (1) Virgil Riddell (2) Leonard Lafay Griffith
4.1.2.1.1.3.9.1.12.1.3 August Wilson Benold (1911-1977) married Eva Etta Reiley
4.1.2.1.1.3.9.1.12.1.4 Charles Benold (1913-1913)
4.1.2.1.1.3.9.1.12.1.5 Elsa Louise Benold (1913-2002) married Marcus Lester Waltermire
4.1.2.1.1.3.9.1.12.1.6 Ruby Benold (1916-2006) married George Seager
4.1.2.1.1.3.9.1.12.1.7 Evelyn Benold (1918-1938) married John Ellis Lanier
4.1.2.1.1.3.9.1.12.1.8 Francis Lucille Benold (1922-1996) married Harley Hugh Searcy

4.1.2.1.1.3.9.1.12.2.1 Everet Clarence Van Every (1906-1924)

4.1.2.1.1.3.9.1.12.3.1 Agnes Lee Roberts (1910-1987) married Phil Gates

4.1.2.1.1.3.9.1.12.4.1 Elizabeth Dribel Campbell (1914-1996)
4.1.2.1.1.3.9.1.12.4.2 William Venable Campbell (1916-2004)

4.1.2.1.1.3.9.1.12.3.1.1 Phyllis Lee Gates (1932-1985) married Clinton William Johnson

I am number: 4.1.2.1.1.3.9.1.12.8.1.3

Notable Van Everys

Dale Van Every - Third cousin, twice removed - author of the screenplays for Captains Courageous, Murders in the Rue Morgue, and other films, as well as the author of several historical novels. Our shared ancestry begins with David Van Every and Sarah Showers.

Surname Saturday: Dudelsack or Dudelczak

I continue with the Surname Saturday blogging theme -  

Discuss a surname and mention its origins, its geographical location(s) and how it fits into your genealogy research.

Dudelsack / Dudelczak


The origin of the surname is a bit unclear.  There is a German bagpipe called a Dudelsack.  However, the word 'Dudel' is a diminutive for "David" in Yiddish, so there's a strong possibility the surname is patronymic in origin.  Spelling of the surname varies.

Four Dudelsack siblings immigrated to America in the late 1800s.  My great great grandfather Selig, a brother Yidel, a sister, Toba, and a sister Zlota.  Toba had married Aaron Oberman prior to immigration.  Selig and Yidel both changed their surnames upon arriving in America.  Yidel Americanized his given name to Julius, Toba went with Tillie, and Zlota chose Lottie.  Family lore says there were four siblings who remained in Russia. Nothing beyond their names are known.

The numbering below follows the d'Aboville system.  I've emboldened my direct ancestors. It's currently unclear what town in Russia the family originated.  It was most likely in the region of Volhynia. The four families started in America in St. Louis.  Most of the Odelsons moved to Chicago, and the Goodmans moved to Tulsa.

3. Samuel Zvi “Harry” Dudelsack married Gitel Slupsky

3.1 Belle Dudelsack
3.2 Gershon Dudelsack
3.3 Selma Dudelsack
3.4 Sprinsa Dudelsack
3.5 Toba Dudelsack ( - 1935) Married Aaron Oberman - Poland, St. Louis
3.6 Yidel “Julius” Dudelsack ( - 1917) married Jennie - Poland, St. Louis, Chicago
3.7 Selig Dudlesack (1860-1915) married Anna Perlik - Poland, St. Louis
3.8 Lottie Dudelsack (1861-1939) married Aaron Getz and Judal Goldstein - Poland, St. Louis, Tulsa

3.5.1 Manuel Harry Oberman (1886-1946) married Rose Askuvich
3.5.2 Samuel Oberman (1890- ?)
3.5.3 Minnie Oberman (1893-1974) married Louis Felman
3.5.4 Ben Oberman (1898-1969) married Geraldine Rosenthal
3.5.5 Joseph Oberman (1900-1967) married Fannie
3.5.6 Oscar Oberman (1904-1969) married (1) Lassie Brown (2) Anna Brodak

3.6.1 Samuel Odelson (1877-1954) married Rose Gordon
3.6.2 Pearl Odelson (1884-1957) married Morris Feldman
3.6.3 Louis Odelson (1886-?)
3.6.4 Sarah Odelson (1894-1987)
3.6.5 Harry Odleson (1896-1971) married Sonia Blak

3.7.1 Harry Feinstein (1884-1933) married (1) Dora Servinsky (2) Grace - Poland, St. Louis
3.7.2 Herman Feinstein (1886-1963) married Anna Blatt - Poland, St. Louis
3.7.3 Benjamin Feinstein (1888-1952) married Nevada Rowe Amacker - Poland, St. Louis
3.7.4 Pearl Feinstein (1890-1967) married Edward Louis Oxenhandler - Poland, St. Louis
3.7.5 Morris Feinstein (1893-1926) married Edna Frager - St. Louis
3.7.6 David Feinstein (1895-1896) - St. Louis
3.7.7 Aaron Feinstein (1898-1988) - St. Louis
3.7.8 Joseph Feinstein (1899-1901) - St. Louis
3.7.9 Rose Feinstein (1901-1985) married Abe Gold - St. Louis

3.8.1 Samuel Getz (1881-1943) - St. Louis
3.8.2 Sarah Getz (1890-1980) married (1) Frank Goodman (2) Theodore Kallmeyer - St. Louis, Tulsa

3.6.1.1 Anne Odelson (1900-1978) married Jack Kaplan
3.6.1.2 Harry Odelson (1902-1974) married Ida Taitel
3.6.1.3 Jacob Odleson (1904-1986)
3.6.1.4 Ida Odelson (1906-1994) married Harry Berz
3.6.1.5 Oscar Odelson (1908-1978) married Betty
3.6.1.6 Joseph Odelson (1910-1985)
3.6.1.7 Ben Odelson (1912-2006) married Bernice Bernstein
3.6.1.8 Irving Odelson (1915-2010) married Esther Siegel
3.6.1.9 Meyer Odelson (1916-2001) married Minnie Novey
3.6.1.10 Julius Odelson (1918-1966) married Jennie David
3.6.1.11 Belle Odelson (1919-?) married Irving Epstein
3.6.1.12 Sidney Odelson (1921-2010) married Sylvia Fox
3.6.1.13 Emanuel Odelson (1922-?)
3.6.1.14 Roy Odelson (1924-2001)

3.7.1.1 Sidney Feinstein (1906-1975)
3.7.1.2 Adeline Feinstein (1908-1966) married (1) Arthur Meyer (2) Sam Robinson
3.7.1.3 Alvin Feinstein (1910-1934)
3.7.1.4 Willard Feinstein (1912-1965) married Shirley Fogel
3.7.1.5 Robert Seymour Selig Feinstein (1915-2008) married Mary Margaret Cedillo

3.7.2.1 Bernard Feinstein (1913-1968) married Belle Hoffman
3.7.2.2 Belle "Sissie" Feinstein (1914-2002) married Melvin Lester Newmark 
3.7.2.3 Seymour "Babe" Feinstein (1917-1999) married Leonore Miller

3.7.3.1 Benjamin Feinstein, Jr. (1915-2000) married Dorothy Creighton
3.7.3.2 Ruth Feinstein (1921-2004) married Earl Jacobs

3.7.4.1 Willard Oxenhandler (1914-1995) married Sarah Steinbaum
3.7.4.2 Selig Seymour Oxenhandler (1916-1987) married Joyce Schmuckler
3.7.4.3 Sigmond Oxenhandler (1919-1987)

3.7.5.1 Marvin Feinstein (1919-1963) married Marilyn Steinberg
3.7.5.2 Dolores Feinstein (1920-2001) married Paul Zigler
3.7.5.3 Seymour Feinstein (1924-2002) married Dorislee Blank

3.8.2.1 Harry Goodman (1906-1975) married Dorothy Werbner
3.8.2.2 Gertrude Goodman (1908-?) married Jerome Naron
3.8.2.3 Frances Goodman (1910-1992)
3.8.2.4 Edrea Ann Goodman (1923-2010) married Julian Jack Appleton

My number is 3.7.2.2.1.3 

There's one in every family

"There's one in every family!" Bring your stories of colorful characters, unique heirlooms, mouth-watering recipes, most dearly beloved pets, whatever! Interpret as you like.

I knew I wanted to participate in this Carnival of Genealogy family reunion, but I pondered on what I would choose to write about. I don't like discussing living relatives, and while there are a handful of ancestors I could discuss under the topic of blacksheep, I'd rather not. However, the theme wasn't limited to people. Jasia specifically suggested family heirlooms, recipes, and other objects. I've discussed a couple of heirlooms before, and could think of a few more, but the topic didn't appeal greatly to me at this time. So I pondered some more. Something or someone every family has. After a few weeks of sorting through the possibilities, a new idea came to me. Something almost every family indeed does have. Most European nations began requiring them in the 18th and 19th centuries.

A family name (or surname)

Most of my personal experience with surnames comes from Western European culture, though I know other cultures handle surnames differently. The origins of surnames are sometimes sorted into five categories, which I have listed below, and provided examples from my ancestors. I looked up surname origins at both Ancestry  and the Surname Database.

1) Derived from a Given name (aka 'Patronymic')

• My distant maternal ancestor, Myndert Fredericksen, and his brother, Carsten Fredericksen, were the sons of Frederick Van Iveren. (The children of Myndert and Carsten returned to the Van Iveren surname, or changed it to either Van Every or Van Avery.)

• My paternal grandmother's original ancestral surname was Dudelczak. While the surname is possibly derived from the German bagpipe, Dudel is also Yiddish for "David." The odds are this surname was patronymic in origin.

2) Occupational Name

• My maternal great grandmother's surname, Lichtman, is considered occupational for a chandler from the Yiddish 'likht' for 'candle.'

3) Location/Topographical

• My surname, Newmark, likely is derived from the German/Polish area known as Newmarch.
• My paternal great grandmother's surname, Cruvant, came from the Lithuanian town, Kruvandai.
• My maternal grandmother's surname, Van Every, is likely derived from a Dutch or German town with a similar name -- though there is some debate over which town that is. (Possibilities include Everinghe, Holland and Jever, Germany.)

4) Nickname - names based on physical appearance, temperament, or personality

• The surname Denyer is considered by many a nickname for a poor or insignificant man, from the name of a very small medieval coin, Middle English, Old French denier

• The surname Lipman, as a Jewish surname, probably comes from the Yiddish for "Beloved man." (As a Dutch surname, it is thought to be a patronymic of the given name, Phillip.)

5) Ornamental Name - A name chosen by the family as an ornament.

• My paternal grandmother's surname, Feinstein, means "fine stone." Selig Dudelczak adopted the surname upon his arrival in America.

• My paternal great grandmother's surname "Blatt" is ornamental for most Jewish families, originating from the German and Yiddish word for "leaf." However, the non-Jewish German Blatt surname is considered to come from the German word "Blate" meaning a flat surface or plateau, and likely topographical.

• My maternal great great grandmother's surname "Adler" means "Eagle." 

Surname Saturday: Deutsch

I continue with the Surname Saturday blogging theme -  

Discuss a surname and mention its origins, its geographical location(s) and how it fits into your genealogy research.

Deutsch

Deutsch is a common surname.  The name, in German, means, "German." One might assume this suggests a family with this surname originated in Germany. That's not necessarily the case. 

One reason for the frequency of German names among Jews is related to a misunderstanding of a 1787 Austro-Hungarian law. The Austro-Hungarian Empire, which controlled a substantial part of Europe, was the first country in Europe that required Jews to register a permanent family surname. At the same time, they required Jews to register a German given name. The decree was widely misinterpreted as requiring a German surname, so the overwhelming majority of Jewish surnames created for that registration were German ones. (source)

My most distant-known Deutsch ancestors were from Transylvania when it was part of the Austro-Hungarian empire.  So there is a very good chance the surname was created in 1787, and my ancestors were among those who thought they needed to choose a German language surname.  If this is the case, they either didn't have very much imagination, or they had a very dry sense of humor.  (I can hear them now: "Our surname must be 'Deutsch'?  OK, it's 'Deutsch.'")

There are two common pronunciations of the surname.  There's the German fashion which sounds like Dyche or Ditch, and the Austrian fashion which sounds like Doytch.  My grandfather pronounced it in the Austrian fashion, though there is evidence some of his cousins pronounced it in the German fashion.

A lot of the information I have on the early generations below comes from family lore, passed down orally on an audiotape my grandfather and his siblings recorded in the 1970s, pieced together with documents I've found online.  Since Deutsch is a common surname, the odds I have made some mistakes in the patchwork increase.  I will make corrections/additions as they are discovered.

The numbering follows the d'Aboville system.  I've emboldened my direct ancestors. Since I'm less certain on geographical locations for many of the names, I've left them off this descent.  The family originated in Transylvania, and lived in several cities there including Turda, and Varalmas.  Many of the branches that immigrated to America settled originally in Chicago, Illinois.

2. Abraham Deutsch - married Sarah Weiss

2.1 David Leib Deutsch – married Edith Markowitz
2.2 Albert Deutsch
2.3 Samuel Deutsch (Dec 20, 1861 – Jan 21, 1938) - married Chava Leah (Helen) Lichtmann
2.4 Sarah Deutsch (1877-?) married Adolph Rosenblum

2.1.1 Bertha Deutsch – married Frank Newman
2.1.2 Herman Deutsch
2.1.3 Celia Deutsch
2.1.4 Hani Deutsch – (1880-Nov 10, 1943) married Samuel Guttman

2.2.1 Joseph Deutsch – (1887-?) married Eva Wurtenberg
2.2.2 Regina Deutsch (1890-?) married Nathan Greenfield
2.2.3 Herman Deutsch (1897-?) married Dora Diamant

2.3.1 Jean Deutsch (1889-?) - married Bernard Kamerman
2.3.2 Armon Deutsch (1900-1908)
2.3.3 Theodore Deutsch (Oct 22, 1902 – Sept 1980) married Frances Levy
2.3.4 Edward Deutsch (Oct 6, 1904 – May 15, 1973)- changed surname to Kameran
2.3.5 Martin Deutsch (Feb 28, 1907 – Mar 19, 1991) married (1) Myrtle Van Every (2) Marjorie Shelp
2.3.6 Maurice Gerald Deutsch (Jun 18, 1909 – July 30, 1950) married Dorothy Arkin
2.3.7 Berta Deutsch (Apr 6, 1911 – Feb 22, 2003) married Herman Freed
2.3.8 Allen Deutsch (Jan 24, 1914 – Jun 13, 1988) married Jean Collier

2.4.1 Daniel Rosenblum
2.4.2 Pauline Rosenblum (Jul 31, 1903 – June 1984) married Edward Kohl
2.4.3 Esther Rosenblum
2.4.4 Frances Rosenblum
2.4.5 Julia Rosenblum - married David Mittleman
2.4.6 Lillian Rosenblum - married Eli Greene

2.1.1.1 Henry Newman
2.1.1.2 Nathan Newman
2.1.1.3 Lydia Newman

2.1.4.1 Samuel Guttman (Mar 28, 1905 – Dec 1968)
2.1.4.2 Edward Guttman (May 28, 1906 – Sept 1973)
2.1.4.3 Joe Guttman (Jun 4, 1907 – July 1982)
2.1.4.4 Emil Guttman
2.1.4.5 Nathan Guttman (Jul 5, 1913 – Sept 1, 1981)

2.2.1.1 Albert Deutsch
2.2.1.2 Sigmund Deutsch (Nov 20, 1914 – Aug 8, 1995) married Margaret Smick Sept 26, 1942

2.2.2.1. Bella Greenfield – married Hugh Roth
2.2.2.2 Gertrude Greenfield – married Harry Schrenkel
2.2.2.3 Milton Greenfield
2.2.2.4 Irving Greenfield

2.2.3.1 Sarene Deutsch (July 29, 1914 – Jan 20,1990) married David Lipton
2.2.3.2 Pearl Deutsch (June 2, 1921 – July 17, 1997) married Burton Zoot
2.2.3.3 Albert Deutsch (Dec 31, 1922-Nov 30, 1998) married Ida Rosenwald
2.2.3.4 Lillian Deutsch (May 21, 1924 – Dec 15, 2004) married Morrie Isaac

2.4.2.1 Darwin L Kohl (June 1925-Oct 2, 1971)

My number = 2.4.5.1.3

Surname Saturday: Newmark

Another weekly genealogy meme? I've been thinking about participating in this one for awhile, and the initial post below has been ready to go for several months, as I awaited some further information.  I stopped waiting.

Surname Saturday.

To participate in Surname Saturday, simply create a post in which you discuss a surname and mention its origins, its geographical location(s) and how it fits into your genealogy research.

I'll start with the most obvious surname to begin with - my own.

Newmark

From my research it appears there are a handful of "Newmark Clans" in the United States that originated in either the Neumark/NewMarch region of Germany, or near enough in Poland to raise the question of where those Polish ancestors actually came from. (The clan to which I belong being part of the latter.) These clans also seem to often share something else besides geographical origin - a Jewish religious background. Whether or not we are all related would likely require a Y-Surname DNA study, but it wouldn't be surprising to learn that at least some of us are. It's doubtful though we'll ever be able to trace the exact lineal connections.

The first known progenitor of the Clan from which I descend is Israel David Newmark. Below is a limited descendant chart utilizing the D'Aboville numbering system, including the locations the individuals lived, and their birth, marriage and death dates. I could extend it further, but I can't do a complete list of the next generation without deciding which information to leave out for living relatives.

[Key: * = no vital record has been found to back up this information, but this is the date either claimed by the individual, or recorded by the family.]

1. Israel David Newmark (?-?) Poland  - married Leah (?)
1.1 Samuel Joseph Newmark (1862 - July 20, 1940) Warka, Poland; London, England; St. Louis, MO, USA - married Rose Cantkert
1.1.1 Solomon "Sol" Newmark (*Dec 4, 1883 - Dec 4, 1934) Warka; London; St. Louis
- married Sarah Nathan, Aug 31, 1902
1.1.2 Barnet "Barney" Newmark (*March 17, 1886 - Nov 25, 1956) Warka; London; St. Louis
- married Bertha Cruvant, *Aug 27, 1911
1.1.3 Nellie Newmark (*March 8, 1889 - Mar 22, 1959) Warka; London; St. Louis
- married Morris Fudemberg, Jan 30, 1910
1.1.4 Bella Newmark (*March 4, 1890 - Dec 2, 1976) Warka; London; St. Louis
- married Coleman Charles Cohen, Jan 30, 1910
1.1.5 Meyer "Max" Newmark (*Aug 16, 1892 - Jan 31, 1931) Warka; London; St. Louis; East St. Louis, IL, USA - married Dora (?)
1.1.6 Kate "Katie" Newmark (Nov 27, 1894 - March, 19, 1960) London; St. Louis; Chicago, IL, USA
- married Phillip Jacobs
1.1.7 Cecile "Cissie" Newmark (Aug 16, 1896 - Sept 12, 1973) London; St. Louis; East St. Louis; New Orleans, LA, USA; Falls Church, VA, USA - married Hyman Gold
1.1.8 Israel David "Buddy" Newmark (Apr 3, 1903 - Oct 16, 2004) London; St. Louis
- married Clara Rubin

My number is 1.1.2.1.1.3