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Elizabethgrad

Kherson Gubernia

Elisabethgrad, cerca 1905-1910

Elisabethgrad, in Kherson gubernia is an old city on the Inhul River. It was founded as a fortress in 1754, and became an agricultural trade center. It was named for Empress Elizabeth, who ruled Russia from 1741 to 1752. She was much loved, for not executing anyone during her reign. However, between 1881 and 1919, it was the scene of several pogroms. The city was renamed Zinovievsk in 1924, Kirovo in 1936, and Kirovograd (Kirovohrad) in 1939.

 

Personal Stories and Memoirs

"Twelve Tribes from Kirovograd", by Arlene Gorewitz Boumel

"Even then, I was distrustful about the validity of that letter... until I opened the photographs that she had attached, to find my great-grandparents staring back at me from my computer screen.  I sat for many moments in stunned silence.  It was an indescribable feeling."
You can read the rest of Arlene's story here.

 

Elisabethgrad Postcards

"Elisavetgrad Choral Synagogue", before WWI

Same Synagogue, today

Kirovograd Synagogue (Choral Synagogue), currently.

Public high school in Elisabethgrad, cerca 1906.
From the collection of Ms. Sydney Herbert.

 
Girls' School in Elisabethgrad, cerca 1905.
From the collection of Ms. Sydney Herbert.

 
Images of Elisabethgrad, cerca 1900.
From the collection of Ms. Sydney Herbert.

 

Winter in Elisabethgrad, at the turn of the 20th Century.
From the collection of Ms. Sydney Herbert.

 

 

Records of Yelisavetgrad in the United States

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 may still exist. Ray Cannata identified eight organizations with ties to Yelisavetgrad in New York City's records of Incorporations. He 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 the First Elizavetgrader Benevolent Association manuscript collection (call number RG 1635). The collection 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.