Hannah Seifter Finger | Hayyim (Heinrich) Finger | |||
Born: | March 27, 1870 | Sept. 28, 1862 or Oct. 12, 1862 | ||
Place of Birth: | Brody, near Kalvarya Zebrzydowska | Koscielnikach (Koscielniki) | ||
Died: | November 13, 1947 | July 13, 1941 | ||
Place of Death: | New Orleans, Louisiana | New Orleans, Louisiana | aka | Hani, Annie | Heinrich, Henry, Joachim |
Mother | Rosa Landworth | Miriam Leah (Marian) | ||
Father | Heshel Seifter | Joseph Finger |
Hannah and Hayyim Finger were my great-grandparents, my
father's father's parents. In April, 2004, my second cousin Rick
Streiffer in New Orleans heard that I had some genealogical material
on our common family, and I built this page to share the
information. Since then, previously unknown relatives from both Hannah
and Hayyim's side of the family have found the site, contacted me, and
filled in holes in our knowledge.
Jeff Finger
Jerusalem, Israel
November, 2004
Last Updated: February 2, 2024, 07:13:07 +0200
Click on folder icons to see offspring.
You can click on the images below for higher resolution versions. [Even higher resolution scans and the originals reside with me. --Jeff]
Rosa Landworth Seifter |
Marian (Miriam Leah) Finger |
Here are Hannah and Hayyim's mothers. Wow. |
Hannah and Hayyim lived in Kalvarya Zebrzydowska, about 30 km southwest of Kracow, which is today in Poland. This photo seems to be Hannah with Helen, Augusta, Sally, Hermina, and Molly in Kalvarya. Given that Molly is about two or three years old, this picture was probably taken in 1903 or 1904, shortly before they came to America.
There area in which they lived was called "Galicia", part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire between 1772-1918. There is an excellent map of Galicia, showing Brody at the very eastern border, east of Lemberg, and Cracow near the Western border. Much information on Brody can be found starting at JewishGen Shtetlinks site on Brody. Kalvarya does not appear on this map, but it is about 14 km east of Wadowice, about halfway between Wadowice and Myslenice, very near Landskron. You can see it on a modern on map of Poland. Information on Kalvarya can be found via a Google Search on Kalwaria Zebrzydowska. I do not know whether Hayyim was a שוחט (ritual slaughterer) or whether he was a meat cutter. The letter below indicates that he actually slaughtered animals, but Aunt Molly said that he did not, though she might have only been referring to his life in America.
Hayyim left for America on June 28, 1902 and came to New Orleans via Hamburg and New York, where he became a kosher meat cutter. Hannah and the family followed on August 20, 1904. They arrived in New Orleans via Boston around Succot (according to a handwritten note of Aunt Molly). See the letter from Hayyim to Hannah below, written while they were apart. Joseph Wiener, a friend from Europe, was responsible for their coming to New Orleans. The "Facts for Petition for Naturalization", filed in 1912 or 1913, lists their address 1818 Thalia, New Orleans, Louisiana. Later papers show their address as 1422 Carondelet, New Orleans. The pictures below are from an open air stall in the New Orleans market, I was told.
Molly's son Josef Rick, born in 1911 in Wadowice, survived the Holocaust, though his first wife Pola was murdered. Josef was a lieutenant in the Polish Army, captured in September 11, 1939, was a POW in Romania and Germany, liberated by the U.S. Army on April 1, 1945, and lived in Paris until he could come to America after the War. In Paris, he married Erica, who had survived the war in Paris. He became a dentist in New Jersey. I have quite a lot of correspondence of his with Molly Finger Leopold, before during and after his incarceration, which is slowly being put on a web page Joseph Rick to show the material to Erica Rick and their descendents.
Molly's other son Ignacy Rick fled to Russia and was there for some 40 years. He and family came to NY in the 1990's. He has a son Alex, and Alex has 2 kids, Igor and Yanna.
Joseph and Erica Rick had two children Amy and Steven.
Erica Rick, Joseph Rick's widow got in touch with Rick Streiffer via email in late March, 2004.
Aunt Molly told me that Sally Gichner was in Auschwitz and survived by dying her hair and appearing younger. She had four children Hugo (deceased. Came to the U.S.), Irwin (killed by the Russians), Rosa (died in December, 1982, lived in Cracow after the war), and Eda (Edita). Eda had a daughter Anna (Anya) Tish.
Above is Sally Seifter Gichner with her husband, and a later photo in front of her store.
Here is Sally with her daugter Edita and "little Renia of Regina". The Yiddish inscription on the back says (with thanks to Abe Mertz, who appeared out of nowhere and deciphered and translated part of this that I could not),
דאָס איזט פֿאַרן געשעפֿט |
This is from the store | ||
נאָך אין זאָממער מיינע |
while it was still summer. My | ||
טאָכטער עדיטה אוּנד דיא |
daughter Edita and the | ||
קליינע רעניא |
little Renia | ||
פֿאָן דער רעגינא |
of Regina's. | ||
מיינע טאָכטער זיהט דיר זעהר עהנליך זיא |
My daughter is very much like you. She | ||
איזט איין זיהר געלונגנער מעדל |
is a very talented young lady. |
I am pretty sure this is Renia Beldengreen (see below), the inscription "from Regina" makes sense, in which case this photo must have been taken around 1934 or so. I had thought this is Renia Kranz Silan, but she says it is not.
From Arthur Glickman, the son of the first cousins (on the Beldengreen side) of Regina's children, on July 9, 2004...
Henry was a medic in the Polish army stationed in Tarnowskie Gury on the
border with Germany and was captured the second day of the war. He spent
the war in some 20 labor camps--the last six months in Dachau (in a twist
of fate my mother's cousin with the U.S. Army helped liberate Dachau and
thus my father's cousin). In between camps Henry would sometimes go home
and be assigned to work crews. He said the Nazis would pick a head Jew in
town and said today we need so many people to work and the guy would round
up the workers. He said his medical knowledge saved his life as he was
useful to the Germans as a nursemaid. He talked about visiting his aunt in
Kracow on his mother's side--Sally Gichner--during one of the times he was
released.
He said he survived Dachau by eating soup and little pieces of bread and
sometimes raw hambuger. He remembered German soldiers shooting from the
tower as the U.S. Army approached. He said he couldn't walk for 3 weeks
after liberation. He said lots of people died after liberation because
they tried to eat too much and got diarrhea.
He knew enough to just eat farina.
Hannah's son Joseph Finger apparently
spent time with Josef in Vienna. Josef and Regina had daughters Selma Seifter Schoenman and
Pepka Seifter Kranz. Pepka had a daughter
Renia, and daughter Gerda, who had a daughter Basia.
Selma Schoenman (born 1901)
and her husband Immanuel moved to Haifa,
Palestine, in the 1930s. I met them in Yokneam, Israel (near Haifa) in
1990, and their son Dani came for the occasion, which was lucky; the
parents mostly spoke German, and Dani translated from German to
Hebrew. After we figured out exactly how I was related,
Immanuel smiled, went into the bedroom for a
minute, and came out with a portfolio of architectural works of my
grandfather Joseph from the late 1940s. Apparently my grandfather was
in touch with them and sent the pictures to him.
In the top row of this picture from about 1925 or 1926 from left to right are:
Selma Seifter Schoenman, her brother Leo, Pepka, Pepka's Ignac Kranz
Bottom row, left to right are:
Josef's wife Regina, Pepka's daughter Renia, grandmother Rosa,
Pepka's daughter Gerda, and Josef Seifter.
Hayyim had siblings, but I only know of three:
My Grandmother in Poland had a sister who married a Christian and wrote to my father after the war, asking 'could she have my father's family house in Kalvarya?', which of course my father agreed to and she told my father what happened to his family, the Nazis took them to a nearby forest and shot them all!Gertrude Finkletaub said on November 17, 2004, that it came to her that the sister was named Helena, so this note may refer to Helen Finger Slabowa above.
It is not 100% certain that Sala was Hayyim's sister, but Aunt Mollie spoke of Bandmachers on "Papa's side of the family", the Finkletaub family has the picture of Hayyim at the top of this page, and the dates and names, especially that of Sala Finger Bandmacher, certainly match up. Thanks to Gertrude Bandmacher Finkletaub for the information on the Bandmacher family.
There is a good deal of correspondence in German, Polish, French, and English, dating from early in the century until quite a few years after World War II.
Character Witness
The Community Office hereby affirms that Joachim Finger, born in (unreadable),
24 years old, of the Mosaic religion, married, behaved decently during his
stay, supported on his salary his mother and all his family members.
By his excellent ethical behavior, the above Joachim Finger merited
widespread respect in our district.
The Witnesses:
x Jan Binias
Stanislav Geritzki (Unknown signature)
L. 3840
To: Mr. Yoachim (xxx) Chaim Finger
I hereby approve the request of the letter of the 16th of February
this year, and in it the decision of March 2, 1889, Number 4901 the
gives you the right to the work in agriculture in Zebrzydowska in Kalvarya
But with respect to creating and running a slaughterhouse, you will have to
procure the proper permissions from the appropriate local authorities,
by submitting the plans for the slaughterhouse, a description of it, and the
xxx signatures of the close neighbors.
Only on this basis can a legal discussion be held on the
spot. Otherwise, you will have to slaughter cattle in another rented
slaughterhouse. March 1, 1893
1883 Ledger 39
Wardobitza by Starasta
<Signature>
Kalvarya
L. 4809
For his use, within the the instructions in accordance with the
business license #106, you have become a member of the organization of slaughterhouses in Kalvarya.
Wardobitza, 26 March 1889
xxx 31.3 889
L.73
To Mr. Haim Finger
In Zebrzydowska
C. K. Starasta
This fragment of a Yiddish letter is in pieces. It was written by Hayyim to Hannah, during the time he was in New Orleans waiting to bring over the family from Kalvarya. From the references to how long he had been gone, the letter was probably written in 1904. Layeh Laks (Palo Alto, California) and I (mostly Layeh) did this very literal translation around 1991.
My dear and beloved Hanaleliben - until 120 years
Your lovely beautiful photograph I have received, which made me very
happy. I immediately recognized the houses. It is as if I am in
Kalvarya, and that I will see you with the dear children. How will
dear God help me already that I should see you in good health as soon
as possible. It's 2 [maybe 3] years that you are without me. I am 10
times as much. And also my sweet children should do as God wills and I
will think of every opportunity to bring you to America and I hope
that dear God will not abandon us here also, but that we should be
here also in happiness. I received also from beloved Samuel his
picture. My heart is full. How beautiful and respectable he is. I also
received a postcard from our beloved and dear Yazik last
week. However, this week I have not received a letter from you and I
am once again uneasy. It is difficult for me to wait such a long
time. I must … you…
Aunt Molly gave me tens, if not hundreds, of letters from all parts of the family dating from early in the 1900s until many years after World War II. The letters are in a number of languages, among them German, English, and French. Subjects include life in Occupied Poland, life soon after liberation from the camps, letters from the camp in Oswego, New York, letters during the war from those who had somehow gotten out of concentration camps, and much more.
One of my favorite letters was a "V-Letter", that is, a letter
photographically reduced by the military and redeveloped in the
U.S. before delivery. (This was presumably done to save weight and
bulk.) A U.S. soldier Louis Miller who knew the Fingers in New Orleans
had found a Finger relative in a German P.O.W. camp in 1945. They had
engaged in some Jewish geography, and Louis Miller was able to write
to the New Orleans clan that the relative was safe, and that they were
enjoying a beer together. I'll try to find it and post it here soon.
Abraham Seifter, Adam Benjamin Streiffer, Adolph (Dolek) Seifter, Alan Bielsky, Alan Irwin Gainsburgh, Alan Singer, Alan Singerman, Alex Rick, Alison Carol Moskowitz, Allison Elaine Yuspeh, Amelie May Streiffer, Amy Beth Gainsburgh, Amy Rick, Andrea Lynn Moskowitz, Andrew Lawrence Schwarcz, Anya Tish, Augusta Finger Goldman, Barbara Luftman (Basia), Bernhard Seifter, Beverley Finkletaub, Brent Allen Cuomo, Cherrie Singer, Clara Seifter, Cristi Lauren Schwarcz, Cyndy Felheimer, Dani Schoenman, Dora Finger Yuspeh, Eda Gichner Sierpinska, Edel Zeve Gainsburgh, Eli Dagan, Ellie Streiffer, Emil Drenger, Eric Bielsky, Erwin Drenger, Erwin Gichner, Erwin, Flora Finger, Francis Trudy Finger, Freddy Drenger, Gerda Kranz Dattner, Gertrude Bandmacher Finkletaub, Gil Dagan, Grant Henry Moskowitz, Hannah Seifter Finger, Harold David Yuspeh, Harold Meyer Streiffer, Harold Singer, Harold Singer, Harry Finger, Hayyim Finger, Helen Finger Singer, Helen Finger Slabowa, Henry Better, Herman Better, Hermina Finger Zeve, Heshel "Harry" Seifter, Heshel Seifter, Hilda Seifter, Hugo Gichner, Ignacy Rick, Igor Rick, Jane Singer, Jane Singerman, Jennifer Diane Cuomo Klein, Josef Seifter, Joseph Drenger, Joseph Finger, Joseph Finger, Joseph Jeffrey Finger, Joseph Rick, Joseph Seifter Finger, Joseph Singerman, Josephine Better, Josephine Finger Drenger, Judy Ann Gainsburgh, Kenneth David Cuomo, Kent Kretchmar, Keri Gerson, Kopel Seifter, LeeAnn Felheimer, Leo Seifter, Leo Seifter, Majer Seifter, Marion Rose Leopold, Mark Finkletaub, Mark Herbert Yuspeh, Martin, Micah Aaron Streiffer, Michael Singer, Miriam Leah ? Finger, Molly Finger Leopold, Molly Seifter Rick, Morris Seifter, Nancy Felheimer, Pepka Seifter Kranz, Peter Silan, Regina Seifter Beldengreen, Renia Beldengreen, Renia Kranz Silan, Richard Harold Streiffer, Robyn Gerson, Rosa Gichner, Rosa Landworth Seifter, Rosalyn Joy Streiffer, Ruth Leah Goldman, Sala/Sarah/Sally/Sary Finger Bandmacher, Sally Seifter Gichner, Sam Finger, Sandra Lynn Streiffer Schwarcz, Sarah (Sally) Finger Streiffer, Sarah Beldengreen, Saul Better, Saul Singer, Scott Gerson, Sigmund Seifter, Simon "Shulim" Bandmacher, Simon Lippa Streiffer, Simon Seifter, Stephen Anthony Klein, Steven Rick, Steven Singerman, Susan Harriet Strug, Yanche (Yaakov/Jacob) Seifter, Yanna Rick, Yvonne Carol Yuspeh, Zelma Seifter Schoenman,