Yelisavetgrad

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Yelisavetgrad/Elisavetgrod Collection Point

Elisavetgrad in Kherson Gubernia
by Deborah G. Glassman, copyright 2005


Yelizavetgrad in a picture taken between 1905 and 1910

The first photos below were generously provided by Sydney Herbert, from her personal collection of picture postcards. She followed up with individual portraits of members of her TORGAN and DUBINSKY families. 

Ray Cannata (JGFF#63228)picked up the baton from there and added more family photos that he had tracked down in a remarkable story that is also included on this page. 

These people are changing what you will be able to know about Yelisavetgrad/Elisavetgrod. Each time a photo is added to this collection, the chance to find pictures of your ancestors from here is multiplied. Each person who prints a record that a researcher in a Ukraine archives located for them, opens a window that we might never have realized was there to be seen through. 

We need the stories, records, and family photos of people who lived in this substantial community. We will publish maps, directories, emigration lists, naturalizations that list a town of birth, Duma records, Vedemosti records -- anything of interest to the descendants of those who lived here. Please write and share your finds.

We will try to provide contact info for all submitters so that those who are interested in the listed families may follow up. Sign up for the JewishGen's free subscription to the JewishGen Family Finder, which should be a first resource for anyone looking to make contact with serious family researchers. Ray Cannata can be contacted via JGFF#63228.

Remember to keep checking out this entire page each time you visit. Enjoy the dozens of photos of families and landmarks, and we will continue to add new material as often as it is received. Harry Boonin of Philadelphia has generously offered to share materials on Elisavetgrad and also on Elisavetgrader organizations in Philadelphia which we are looking forward to with anticipation. Others of you have said you have materials on your family which we will happily publish when you send them our way!

New links as of January 29, 2007

Incorporation Records of 6 Yelisvetgrad organizations in NYC

New November 28, 2005

Linda Silverman Shefler who contributed military documents (a military document issued to Elisavetgrad native Michal Lazar Ilyeshef GORDON covering his term of service 1889-1892), and civil materials of the Elisavetgrad government (building permits - a permit for a Jew to rebuild a roof in the city in 1899) also sent photographs including the soldier just named, in uniform. But Linda at the same time sent us a very unusual "document" that we have just added to the site. If you think of things important enough to pack for the journey to the United States, you usually envision the fine needlecrafts inherent in the home-made clothing, the featherbeds, and the shawls woven in patterns distinctive for their region. Linda shared the Russian-made crochet pattern of 1893 brought to America by her great-grandmother! Do one of you have something else that can open a window into our ancestors' lives for us?

See the military document and building permit with others in the part of our page labeled Records of Yelisavetgrad. See the Crochet Pattern in the section headed "Non-Photo Heirlooms of Our Families" also on this page.

Landmarks and Scenes of Yelisavetgrad

Two of the Public High Schools in Yelizavetgrad in 1906 and in 1905 photos above


These views of Yelizavetgrad in 1900 were thought worthy of a postcard sent to Paris.


Yelizavetgrad around the turn of the Nineteenth to Twentieth Centuries

Nineteenth Century Photos - 1880s and 1890s

The researchers of this town have an unusual and fortunate circumstance. In a world where many of the cherished pictures that predate 1900 have been lost or forgotten, both Sydney Herbert and Ray Cannata were able to share their images of the nineteenth century, Each was able to reach back into the much less rarely seen 1880s and 1890s of Jewish Eastern Europe. When you join them in sending your information, include everything that you can about the photographer's marks, the postal cancellations, and the inscriptions. Eventually we will be able to date pictures by noting if they were taken in one studio or another and you will be further able to divide them into types - pictures sent to a husband already emigrated, pictures sent home to reassure worried parents, pictures sent ahead by parents already aging and telling the children "when it's time, write the yahrtzeit dates on the back."

DUBINSKY, TORCHAN, DUBIN, TORGHAN, TORGAN

  

Goldie DUBIN TORGAN
Born Gelde DUBINSKY to Yankle and Leya DUBINSKY in 1858 		   Samuel TORGHIN (later TORGAN)
 Born Henkel Leib Torchan to Henkel and Schindla Torchin in 1850

These Elisavetgrad natives married and later they emigrated to England c. 1885 with their oldest children. From there they continued to the US after the birth of another child. Goldie's picture was taken in New Bedford Massachussets in 1897. They settled in Massachussets and Rhode Island. Samuel Torgan died in 1919 in Providence Rhode Island. The picture was provided by the generosity of Sydney Herbert

Goldie and Samuel Torgan with their four children
The children Jack Lewis and Ida were both born in Yelizavetgrad, the third was born in England, the fourth in the United States

 

The Finding of these Pictures
of the SIEBELWESKY, POBERJESKY, and DASHEVSKY families -
by Ray Cannata, copyright 2005

The majority of my photos were recovered in 2001 from a condemned house that was in the process of being bulldozed (literally)! It was on an artist commune in Free Acres (Berkeley Heights), NJ. My great-great-grandmother Katia POBERESKY SIEBEL had lived there 1926-40 and her ashes are buried on the property.

I had been searching for the exact location of this home for years and finally found it in 2001. It had passed from Katia to her daughter (my great aunt), then to a distant cousin. The cousin was an extreme eccentric and had allowed the roof to decay, leaving a gaping hole in the living room ceiling. He had piled garbage chest-high for 20 years.

He died just a few weeks before I finally located the house. Interestingly, even though it rained and snowed directly into the house for years, all the trash seems to have preserved the photos. I ended up rescuing hundreds of photos (1880s to 1930s) and 600 letters (mostly 1910-25). Many photos were labeled but most were not. I have methodically tracked down family and friends (and their descendants) who have identified dozens more. For example, one 1905 photo was of a 5 year old girl (NYC neighbor of my ancestors) whom I tracked down when she was 103! She had been a Hollywood script writer. She id'ed more of the photos and gave accurate 1st hand memories of my ancestors from 95 years ago! A photo of twin babies was marked simply "Leon and Eugene." When I found a census entry with a Leon and Eugene pair living in the house with a SIEBEL, I knew it was them. I tracked down Leon (now 86 years old), who turned out to be a 1st cousin three times removed. When I sent him copies of my photos he identified several more -- his brother, his mother (half-sister to my great, great-grandfather), his grandfather (my 3x-great grandfather), etc. Another interesting character was an Alexander GUMBERG of Elizavetgrad. I found a photo of him with a dog sled in snowy Russia, 1917, as well as a couple dozen letters he wrote to my great-aunt whom he had dated, 1911-7. It turned out GUMBERG became a spy for the Soviets about 1919-49, while working as a prominent trade agent for various American companies. There is a doctoral dissertation and a book written about him. Remarkably, his English is perfect in the letters, which start just two years after he immigrated to America. A wonderful photo of Elizavetgrader Samuel RADNITZ (cantor for 50 years at a large Reform synagogue in Park Slope, Brooklyn) gives flesh to the numerous references to him and his children in early family letters.

Very often the cache of letters and photos filled in blanks that had puzzled me from the other early photos and letters I had already collected from other extant family sources. But many more mysteries remain. Who were the A. and W. POBERESKYs in the holiday cards? How were the CODENs related to my ancestors? Who was Olga? Is the Brooklyn boy in his bar mitzvah outfit a friend or relative? The potential for solving some of these is greatly increased by this wonderful web site. Thanks Deborah and all those who are working hard on this wonderful project! - Ray Cannata

 

All of the photos and caption information below is by the generosity of Ray Cannata

Click on any Photo for a full-size image

 

Henia DASHEVSKY POBERJESKY
my 3x-great grandmother
born about 1848 in Elizavetgrad to "Peter" [Pinchos?]& "Katia" [Gitel?], died after 1932 in Russia. From her age I would date this no later than 1880 (age 32), probably earlier. There are two copies of the same photo. he smaller one has info on the studio: Finkel arts photo shop in Elizavetgrad. by Ray Cannata

Srul POBERJESKY
my 3x-great grandfather
born c. 1840s in Elizavetgrad Yonia and Mania. The photo is dated 28 Jan. 1913 and was sent from Russia (probably Elizavetgrad) to my great, great-grandmother Gittel "Katia". The inscription on back is Yiddish. by Ray Cannata

E.I. POBERJESKY, almost certainly "Evelyn"
(Yiddish name unknown),

sister to Gittel "Katia" POBERJESKY (1869-1940). The photo was sent to Katia 9 Jan. 1895 from Elizavetgrad by Ray Cannata

 

P. I. POBEREJSKY,signed and dated 22 April 1897

Back inscription translation from Russian" "To good memory, for my dear sister Katia and her husband Alter, signed ? Pober. (stamp P.I. Poberejsky), 22 Apr. 1897" Katia POBERESKY (1869-1940, wife of Alter SIEBELEWSKY) was my great, great-grandmother, among whose belongings this photo was found. The POBERESKYs were from Elizavetgrad / Yelisabetgrad. This photo was from studio at Geskis. I believe he was Katia's brother "Peter" (Pinchos?), not to be confused with a 1st cousin of theirs also named Peter who emigrated to Brooklyn after Katia. I also have a wedding photo of this same Peter to a Vera 1900, and some other photos of them vacationing on a beach near Paris, France.Raymond Cannata 		Revel POBERJESKY (1875-1961)
sister of Gitel Katia POBERJESKY,
taken in Elizavetgrad 1895 Ray Cannata		 Yasha POBERJESKY (1888-1970)
brother of Gitel Katia POBERJESKY,
He was called Yasha or Yakov or Jacob.The inscription on back ("Jackons") is in German (most others in the collection are Russian, a few Yiddish). >Based on his age in the photo (9 maybe?), I'd guess the photo is from about 1898. 4 1Z4 x 2 5/8". Studio Brill in Elizavetgrad. by Ray Cannata

 

   

Revel POBERJESKY (1875-1961)
and probably a younger brother taken in
Elizavetgrad around 1894; donated by Ray Cannata

A gift to the Budnachenkos
Revel POBERJESKY had married Louis BUDNECHENKO in August 1895
Russian inscription: "In memory to Budnechenko, from Z. and ?K? 1895, November 18." Taken in Pletzer photo studio, Elizavetgrad, palace street Perimonda from Ray Cannata.

Nephew or cousin's child
of Alter and Katia SIEBELEWSKY

The Russian inscription reads: "To remember to our dear brother and sister, to Alter and Kathy." Printed on back: Central Photoshop L.M. Stein, Palace Street, Elizavetgrad,
Negatives are preserved. ³We enlarge porters from small to natural size.² Slim baby boy in chair. 2 5/8 x 4 3/8.
Alter and Katia SIEBELEWSKY emigrated to NYC about 1891.Raymond Cannata

 

   

R. SIEBELEWSKY and children
This photo of a young woman and three young children was taken in Elizavetgrad, possibly around 1895, and sent to my ancestors Alter and Katia (POBERJESKY) SIEBELEWSKY. The inscription indicates it was from an "R. SIEBELEWSKY" who addressed Alter as her uncle. sent in 1895, taken in Elizavetgrad; by Ray Cannata

Meir Leib SIEBELEWSKY and 2nd wifeon wedding day 1883; from Ray Cannata

SIEBELEWSKY family 1894
Alter SIEBELEWSKY (TSIBULEVSKY) 1865-1911, wife Gittel "Katia" POBERJESKY SIEBELEWSKY 1869-1940, and children Victor, Peter and Ruth SIEBEL, 27 Sept. 1894 in NYC, about three years after they fled Elizavetgrad for political reasons (Katia and Alter were radicals); by Ray Cannata.

We have moved some pictures around to assist in quicker loading on your computer.
Please click here to go to a Second Page of Elisavetgrad Family Photographs

Records of Yelisavetgrad

The records of Incorporation of Jewish groups in the United States (and South Africa, Argentina, and Eretz Israel) that maintained a connection to a particular town in the Ukraine are very important for a look at your ancestors from their earliest days in the new place of settlement. Ray Cannata has identified eight organizations with Yelisavetgrad ties in New York City's records of Incorporations. He then transcribed all of the names of the founding officers, witnesses, and even the notaries and legal counsel. Click here to go to the Elisavetgrad Incorporations

YIVO has First Elizavetgrader Benevolent Association manuscript collection (call number RG 1635) includes: Meeting notices, dues correspondence, benefits and payments, general correspondence, membership lists, grave reservations, illnesses, doctor's notes, monuments-stones, membership ledger (removed), A-1. Membership ledger J-Z. Cemetery maps, minutes and financial reports (Yiddish and English), 1966-1976, Cash Book (1959-1969), Cash Book 1953-1958, Stamp (Cemetery), Seal, Cemetery Maps (oversized). Posting by Ray Cannata

Translation of a University of Kharkov Certificate for an Elisavetgrader Jew
provided by Ray Cannata from a document in the estate of his great-great-grandmother Katia POBERESKY SIEBELEWSKY. The paper had belonged to Katia's husband Alter SIEBELEWSKY of Elizavetgrad. There is a New York Notary Seal attached.

A scan of the original document, which probably had become damaged during the life of its subject has been provided by Ray Cannata

Click on the Documents below to see full size

See the Ukraine SIG's page called Primary Records for translations of the Military Papers and the Building Renovation Permit that follow.

Temporary Certificate:
This certificate is given from the Council of the Imperial Kharkoff University, under the proper signature and affixed official seal, to Alter CIBULEVSKY to certify that upon examination he has been bestowed by the Medical Faculty with the degree of Apothecary's Assistant. And whereas he, Cibulevsky, belongs to the tax paying estate, it is permitted to him, prior to his discharge by the Court of Exchequer from said estate and prior to the issue of the proper Certificate for the degree of Apothecaryıs Assistant, to engage in the pharmaceutical practice, in accordance with the order of the Minister of Public Education, dated October 21st of the year 1825, No. 2748. Kharkoff, December 4th day of the year 1890. For the Rector of the Imperial Kharkoff University (signer) Stephanoff, Secretary of the Council.
State, City and County of New York.
This is to certify that the above is a true and correct translation of the original Russian text attached October 31, 1892, Nicholas Alimikoff, Notary Public, NY...

 

 

 
University of Kharkov Diploma 1890
- Alter SIBELEWSKY
Donated by Ray Cannata		 Military papers of Michal Lazar Ilyeshev [son of Eliahu] GORDON 1889
Click here to go to page with portrait of Michal Lazar GORDON
Second Page of Elisavetgrad Family Photographs
Donated by Linda Silverman Shefler

 

Permit to change Structure 1899
Permit to change the roof on an existing structure in Yelisavetgrad in 1899, issued by the City Hall.
Donated by Linda Silverman Shefler

 

Elisavetgrad Choral Synagogue before WWI

 

Kirovgrod Synagogue Today

 

The Non-Photo Heirlooms of Our Families

Did your relatives bring tools of their trades, furnishings, textiles, featherbeds, suitcases, et al, that might have survived? Think outside of the box for what could illumine their lives for us. Sarah GURWITZ GORDON lived in Elisavetgrad in the 1890s and emigrated bringing to the United States many of the documents that her great-granddaughter Linda Silverman Shefler has generously allowed us to view. But she also brought these crochet patterns created in Russia in 1893, that both she and her daughter continued to use for many years. We thank Linda Silverman Shefler for this special look into what was thought important enough to pack to take to the New World!

   
   

 

Remember that this city continued to exist as a Jewish community after your ancestors left. We want to reach out to recent emigrants and current residents and ask them to join us in our exploration of the history of this Jewish community. If your synagogue or community is sister'ed to a Kirovgrod congregation or the community, let us know about it!

If you have photos to contribute, Contact Us.
Click here to go back to the Collection Points for Ukrainian Towns
Click here to go back to the Projects of the Ukraine SIG
Click here to go back to the Ukraine SIG Homepage

Click on KhersonGubernia to learn more about the Gubernia of which Yelisavetgrad was a part from the founding of the gubernia in 1802 until the Soviets changed to the oblast system in the 1920s.

Page created by Deborah Glassman,
copyright September 2005
last updated January 2007