Braciejowice – The Ancestral Village of Stanisław Markiewicz

Posted on July 26, 2006 by Steve

On his Passenger Manifest and in his Petition for Naturalization, Stanisław Markiewicz named the village of Braciejowice as his birthplace.  When he lived there, Braciejowice was in Russia, near Lublin.  The proximity to Lublin may explain why he called Lublin his birthplace on his Declaration of Intention.  Today, Braciejowice is in Poland.

The Słownik Geograficzny Królestwa Polskiego i Innych Krajów Słowańskich (The Geographical Dictionary of the Kingdom of Poland and Other Slavonic Countries) is a monumental 16 volume gazetteer published in Warsaw under the direction of Filip Sulimierski in the years 1880-1902. The Słownik provides descriptions of nearly every city, town, and village in Poland and the surrounding areas, and was written at about the time the ancestors of many Polish-American citizens still lived in the old country.

The Słownik entry for the village of Braciejowice states:

Braciejowice, a village and grange [large manorial farmstead], Nowo Aleksandryja Powiat [District], Kamień gmina [municipality], Piotrowin parish.  It lies in a clump created by two arms of the Vistula River, it borders on Jarnułtowice and Zakrzów (Długosz [Liber Beneficiorum] III 240); it constituted the property of the Benedictine Monks of Łysogórski, it was already mentioned in the privilege from the year 1270.  In 1827 there were 54 homes and 379 inhabitants here; currently it constitutes primogeniture.

Bronisław Chlebowski

Source:  Sulmierski, Filip, Bronisław Chlebowski and Wladysław Walewski, eds., Słownik Geograficzny Królestwa Polskiego i Innych Krajów Słowiańskich (Geographical Dictionary of the Kingdom of Poland and other Slavonic Countries), Warsaw 1880, Volume I­, page 345.

Besides this entry, there is another entry for Braciejowice in Volume XV (Volume XV provides descriptions of villages missed in the main work, additional information, and corrections to the first 14 volumes).

Braciejowice 1), a village on the Vistula River, Nowo Aleksandryja Powiat [District] (now Puławy Powiat), has 654 inhabitants.  According to documents, in the year 1270 and 1374 it was the property of the Łysogórski Monastery. In the year 1569 it belonged to the parish in Solec. Andrzej Klonowski Kurek paid for 1 field, 2 farmsteads, and 2 tenant farmers.

2) Braciejowice, a forest settlement, Częstochowa Powiat, Popi gmina [municipality], it has 1 home, 4 inhabitants, and an 800 mórg manor. It went into the storehouse of the primogeniture grant of the line of Father Czerkaski.

Source: Chlebowski, Bronisław, Józefa Krzywicki, Filip Sulimierski, and Władysław Walewski, eds., Słownik Geograficzny Królestwa Polskiego i Innych Krajów Słowiańskich (Geographical Dictionary of the Kingdom of Poland and other Slavonic Countries), Warsaw 1900, Volume XV­, page 226.

The entry from Volume 1 is for a village near Lublin, so this is probably the correct ancestral village for Stanisław Markiewicz.  Of the two entries in Volume 15, the first elaborates on the information on the same village described in Volume 1.  The second entry is for a village of the same name near Częstochowa – far from Lublin and not likely to be the correct village since it consists of only one home and four inhabitants.

While the Słownik entries don’t provide a whole lot of detail about Braciejowice, they do provide one very important piece of information – the location of the parish church.  According to Volume I, the parish church was located in Piotrowin.  The entry in Volume XV says that in 1569 the parish church was in Solec, but this time period is well before the time Stanisław lived there.

A search on mapa.Szukacz.pl shows the location of the village.  A search for the parish village of Piotrowin shows that Piotrowin is over 60 miles from Braciejowice.  This village can’t be the correct parish church.  Solec is close to Braciejowice, but Piotrowin is not.

Lidia Mí¼llerowa’s book Roman Catholic Parishes in the Polish People’s Republic in 1984 (Polish Genealogical Society of America, Chicago, 1995) shows a parish in the village of Piotrawin (note the spelling difference – Piotrowin – Piotrawin).  Piotrawin is within about 5 miles of Braciejowice.  Was there a spelling error in the Słownik?

A check of the Słownik entry for Piotrawin provides a lengthy description of this village.  The passage begins:

Piotrawin, erroneously Piotrowin, in Długosz Pyotrawin, a village and grange [large manorial farmstead] on the Vistula River, Nowo Aleksandryja Powiat [District] (Pulawy), Kamień gmina [municipality], Piotrawin parish….

Source: Chlebowski, Bronisław, Władysław Walewski, and Filip Sulimierski, eds., Słownik Geograficzny Królestwa Polskiego i Innych Krajów Słowiańskich (Geographical Dictionary of the Kingdom of Poland and other Slavonic Countries), Warsaw 1887, Volume VIII­, pages 185-186.

So, the parish for Braciejowice is in Piotrawin.  The next question is – does the Family History Library have the parish records for Piotrawin in their collection?  The answer is yes!

The Family History Library has microfilmed records for the parish of Piotrawin including:

  • Acta urodzeń (Birth Records) – 1810-1833, 1836-1845, 1850-1914
  • Acta małżenstw (Marriage Records) – 1810-1913
  • Acta zygonów (Death Records) – 1810-1833, 1836-1845, 1849-1909

This is excellent!  While there are some gaps in the records, the time period when Stanisław was born, when his parents were married, and when his parents were born seems to be covered.  There is even a chance that Stanisław’s ancestry can be traced back to 1810.  There is also a chance that Stanisław’s family is not represented in these records at all, but this is an excellent lead to finding more about the ancestry of Stanisław Markiewicz.

I can order these microfilms through my local Family History Center in San Bruno, California, or I can just wait until my next trip to Salt Lake City.  In the meantime, there are some additional records on the Markiewicz family that can be obtained online.

Tomorrow:  the Markiewicz family in the Census

Copyright © 2006-2020 by Stephen J. Danko

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The Immigration of Stanislaw Markiewicz

Posted on July 25, 2006 by Steve

The information provided in Stanislaw Markiewicz’ Certificate of Arrival provided the information necessary to find his Ellis Island Passenger Manifest .  A search of the Ellis Island website produced several immigrants with the name Stanislaw Markiewicz, one of whom immigrated on the correct ship on the correct date.

The S.S. Zeeland

The S.S. Zeeland

Passenger Manifest for Stanislaw Markiewicz - 1912 - Page 1

Passenger Manifest for Stanislaw Markiewicz – 1912 – Page 1

Passenger Manifest for Stanislaw Markiewicz - 1912 - Page 2

Passenger Manifest for Stanislaw Markiewicz – 1912 – Page 2

Click on the link for a PDF copy of the Passenger Manifest for Stanislaw Markiewicz – 1912 .  The manifest shows that:

  • Stanislaw Markiewicz left Antwerp on the S.S. Zeeland on May 18, 1912 and arrived in New York on May 29, 1912
  • Stanislaw is listed on line 21 of the manifest as a 17 year old single male
  • His nationality was Russia and his race was Polish
  • His last permanent residence was Braciejowice, Russia and his nearest relative or friend in the country from which he came was his father, Tomasz Markiewicz in Braciejowice
  • His final destination was S. Framingham, Mass. and he paid for his ticket himself
  • It isn’t clear, but it appears he had a ticket to his final destination
  • It isn’t clear, but it appears he had either $27 or $10 with him
  • He had never been in the United States before
  • He was going to stay with a friend, Jan Kurak [?] in S. Framingham, Mass. (address not clear)
  • He was 5 feet 7 inches tall with fair complexion, brown hair, and brown eyes with no marks of identification
  • He was born in Braciejowice, Russia
  • The annotation “1-177793 3/31/36” indicates the certificate number of Stanislaw’s Certificate of Arrival and the date the record was accessed to generate the certificate

Tomorrow:  Where is Braciejowice and are there vital records there for Stanislaw’s ancestors?

Copyright © 2006 by Stephen J. Danko

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The Petition for Naturalization of Stanislaw Markiewicz

Posted on July 24, 2006 by Steve

Three years after filing his second Declaration of Intention to become a citizen of the United States, Stanislaw Markiewicz filed his Petition for Naturalization

Markiewicz Petition Front

Stanislaw Markiewicz’ Petition for Naturalization – Front

Markiewicz Petition Back

Stanislaw Markiewicz’ Petition for Naturalization – Back

Click on the link for a PDF copy of the Petition for Naturalization for Stanislaw Markiewicz – 1940 .  The Petition states that:

  • Stanislaw Markiewicz filed his Petition for Naturalization No. 30012 on July 12, 1939 in the Superior Court of Massachusetts of Worcester
  • Stanislaw resided at 320 Millbury St., Worcester, Mass.
  • He was Polish and was born in Bracijowice, Poland on Apr. 20, 1936
  • He declared his intention to become a citizen of the United States on May 11, 1936 in the Superior Court of Massachusetts at Worcester, Mass.
  • He was married to Antonina Lejwoda on Feb. 2, 1913 in South Framingham, Mass.
  • Antonina was born on Apr. 23, 1891 in Lublin, Poland and entered the United States on Oct. 20, 1912 in New York, N.Y.
  • Stanislaw had seven children:  Stefan born Jan. 22, 1914, Mrs. Bronislawa Skowronski born Oct. 7, 1915, Waclaw born Aug. 15, 1917, Edward born Dec. 17, 1919, Helena born Mar. 15, 1922, Janiena born June 4, 1925, and Ryszard born Feb. 24, 1928, all born and living in Worcester, Mass. except for Edward who was living in Fort Ethan Allen, Vt.
  • Stanislaw’s last residence was Bracijowice, Poland
  • He emigrated from Antwerp, Belgium under the name Stanislaw Markiewicz on the Zeeland and arrived in New York, N.Y. on May 29, 1912
  • He renounced allegiance to The Republic of Poland
  • He had lived continuously in the United States of America since May 29, 1912 and in the County of Worcester since June 1913
  • He had not previously made petition for naturalization
  • Two witnesses provided affidavits of Stanislaw’s good moral character:  Stanley J. Dusak, a machinist residing at 15 Lafayette St., Worcester, Mass. and Joseph H. Nahorski, an assembler residing at 69 Seymour St., Worcester, Mass.
  • The witnesses stated that they had known Stanislaw since Dec. 1, 1931 and that to their knowledge Stanislaw had resided in Worcester, Mass. in the County of Worcester since that date and the witnesses signed the petition in Worcester, Mass. on July 12, 1929
  • Stanislaw’s Certificate of Arrival No. 1 177792 and his Declaration of Intention No. 46155 were noted
  • On the reverse, Stanislaw renounced allegiance to The Republic of Poland and gave his Oath of Allegiance to the United States of America on March 25, 1940
  • Stanislaw’s Petition was granted and noted on Line No. 9 of List No. 477
  • Stanislaw was granted Certificate of Citizenship No. 4735432

Note:  The correct spelling of Stanislaw’s birthplace is Braciejowice, Poland .  In his Declaration of Intention, Stanislaw stated that he was born in Lublin, Poland, but in his Petition for Naturalization, he stated that he was born in Bracijowice (sic), Poland.

Tomorrow:  Stanislaw’s Immigrant Passenger Manifest

Copyright © 2006 by Stephen J. Danko

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The Declaration of Intention of Stanislaw Markiewicz

Posted on July 23, 2006 by Steve

Stanislaw Markiewicz filed a Declaration of Intention to become a citizen of the United States on May 11, 1936 .  This was the first step to becoming a citizen .  Under the laws in effect at that time, Stanislaw would have to wait at least three and no more than seven more years before he could file a Petition for Naturalization.

Declaration of Stanislaw Markiewicz - Front

The Declaration of Intention of Stanislaw Markiewicz – Front

 Stanislaw Markiewicz' Declaration of Intention - Back

The Declaration of Intention of Stanislaw Markiewicz – Back

Click on the link for a PDF copy of the Declaration of Intention for Stanislaw Markiewicz – 1936 .  The Declaration States:

  • Stanislaw Markiewicz filed his Declaration of Intention No. 46155 in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, County of Worcester in the Superior Court of Massachusetts at Worcester, Mass.
  • Stanislaw resided at 320 Millbury St., Worcester, Worcester Co., Mass.
  • His occupation was Moulder
  • He was 45 years old, a white male, of medium complexion, blue eyes, dark brown-grey hair, 5 feet 6 inches tall, 192 pounds, with a scar on his left index finger
  • His race and nationality were Polish;  he was born in Lublin, Poland on April 20, 1891
  • He was married to Antonina Lejwoda on Feb. 2, 1913 in South Framingham, Mass.
  • Antonina was born in Lublin, Poland on April 23, 1891, entered the United States at New York, N.Y. on Oct. 20, 1912
  • Stanislaw had seven children:  Stefan born Jan. 22, 1914, Bronislawa born Oct. [?], 1915 (Oct. 7, 1915), Waclaw born Aug. 13, 1917, Edwart born Dec. 17, 1919, Helena born Mar. 15, 1922, [?]iena (Janiena) born June 4, 1925, and Ryszard born Feb. 24, 1928, all born and living at the time in [?]rcester, Mass.
  • He had previously made a declaration of intention Number 24764 on Dec. 16, 1921 in the Superior Court of Worcester, Mass.
  • His last foreign residence was Braciawicze (Braciejowice), Poland
  • He immigrated to the United States from Antwerp, Belgium at New York, N.Y. under the name Stanislaw Markiewicz on May 29, 1912 on the SS Zeeland
  • Stanislaw signed the declaration in Worcester, Mass. on May 11, 1936
  • The Declaration of Intention cross-references Stanislaw’s Certificate of Arrival No. 1-177793
  • The reverse of the declaration includes a stamp indicating that the U.S. Immigration & Naturalization Service on Nov 9, 1938

Stanislaw gave all of his children Polish first names .  Those names in English are:

  • Stefan = Stephen
  • Bronislawa = Bernice
  • Waclaw = Walter
  • Edwart (apparently misspelled - should be Edward) = Edward
  • Helena = Helen
  • Janiena = Jane
  • Ryszard = Richard

Tomorrow: Â Stanislaw’s Petition for Naturalization

Copyright © 2006 by Stephen J. Danko

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The Certificate of Arrival for Stanislaw Markiewicz

Posted on July 22, 2006 by Steve

While I was at the Massachusetts State Archives in Boston a few weeks ago, I found the Naturalization Papers for Stanislaw Markiewicz .  Stanislaw was the grandfather of my cousins’ cousins .  Let me explain…

My Uncle Michael Danko married Jean Skowronski, and my Uncle Joseph Danko married Helen Skowronski .  Jean and Helen were sisters, and they had several siblings, one of whom was Edward Skowronski .  Edward married Bernice Markiewicz .  Stanislaw Markiewicz was Bernice’s father .  Clear?

One problem with finding the Ellis Island Passenger Manifest for Stanislaw Markiewicz is that when I searched the Ellis Island records, quite a few immigrants named Stanislaw Markiewicz came up .  I had no idea which was the correct immigrant .  One way to find the correct immigrant is to first find the Naturalization Papers.

The Massachusetts State Archives holds microfilm records of many of the Naturalization Papers for those naturalized in the Worcester Superior Court. On a whim, I searched one of the microfilm indexes:

 WO/SUP
Superior Court Department
INDEXES
Box 2111265
From: 01/01/1943 To: 12/31/1978
Case #’s: NATURALIZATION-SEE EXTEN
[MARZILLI:PERLIN]

and found a Stanislaw Markiewicz listed under Petition for Naturalization number 30012.

In short order, I had another microfilm on the reader:

WO/SUP
Superior Court Department
NATURALIZATION-PETITION AND RECORD BO
Box 2131573
From 01/01/1939 To: 12/31/1939
Case #’s: VOL. [112:114]
PETITION # [29907:30373]

and I zipped right to Petition 30012 .  I quick check of the Petition for Naturalization and I saw his wife was Antonina Lejwoda and among his children was listed Mrs. Bronislawa (Bernice) Skowronski.

The first page in Stanislaw’s file was his Certificate of Arrival, a document I previously described on this Blog.

Certificate of Arrival for Stanislaw Markiewicz - Front

Certificate of Arrival for Stanislaw Markiewicz – Front

Certificate of Arrival for Stanislaw Markiewicz - Back

Certificate of Arrival for Stanislaw Markiewicz – Back

Click on the link for a PDF copy of the Certificate of Arrival for Stanislaw Markiewicz – 1938 .  The Certificate states that:

  • Certificate No. 1 177793
  • Name: Markiewicz, Stanislaw
  • Port of entry:  New York, N,Y.
  • Date:  May 29, 1912
  • Manner of arrival:  SS Zeeland
  • The Certificate of Arrival was issued on April 17, 1938 by Byron J. Uhl, The District Director, New York District
  • The Certificate was received by the U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service on April 23, 1936
  • The Certificate is signed on the back by Edna Endman (Sometimes the Certificates of Arrival have a signature on the back, sometimes they don’t .  I don’t know what the significance of the signature is.)

At the time Stanislaw applied for citizenship, the Certificate of Arrival was required to prove that he lawfully entered the United States (there were concerns about illegal aliens even in 1936) and to prove that he had been in the United States for at least five years before applying for citizenship.

The Certificate of Arrival pinpoints when Stanislaw arrived in the United States and shows on what ship he arrived .  This information should make finding Stanislaw’s Passenger Manifest much easier.

Tomorrow:  Stanislaw’s Declaration of Intention

Copyright © 2016 by Stephen J. Danko

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A Brief Biography of the Joseph Sarvetnick Family

Posted on July 21, 2006 by Steve

With all the research I’ve conducted on the family of Jan Savitt over the past 12 days, I thought I’d put it all together to write a bit of a biography of the family .  In addition to the information I’ve published on this Blog, I’ve read some biographical information published in books and reference materials and I’ve found some other data in online indexes, the census, and newspapers, so I have a good amount of background material.

THE FAMILY OF JOSEPH SARVETNICK

Joseph Sarvetnick was born in Shumsk, Russia .  At the time Joseph lived there, Shumsk was located in the Volhynia Gubernia (Governate or Province) of The Russian Empire .  Prior to January 23, 1793, this region was part of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth, but was annexed to Russia during the Second Partition of Poland .  Today, Shumsk is known as Shumskoye, located in the Ternopil’ Oblast (Province) of western Ukraine .  Shumskoye is east of Poland, south of Belarus, and north of Romania.

The Sarvetnick family was Jewish and, in fact, most of the shtetl of Shumsk was Jewish at the time they lived there .  In 1897, the population of Shumsk totaled 2258, 87% of whom were Jews.

Joseph Sarvetnick and Ida Steinberg were married in about 1891 and had five children, four of whom lived to adulthood .  According to Joseph’s naturalization papers, Joseph was born on December 10, 1869, his wife Ida was born in August 1877, their son Morris was born on September 8, 1895, son David was born on April 2, 1901, son William was born on April 9, 1903, and son Jacob was born on July 4, 1908 .  All were presumably born in Shumsk, Russia .  These dates may be only estimates, however .  Nearly every official document lists a different date of birth for the members of Joseph Sarvetnick’s family.

Joseph immigrated to America on the S.S. Kaiserin Auguste Victoria, departing from Hamburg on November 23, 1906 and arriving in New York on December 10, 1906 .  Upon arriving in New York, Joseph traveled to Philadelphia, where he stayed with his brother Isaac Sarvetnick.

The rest of the family probably immigrated to America in 1909, but the details of their immigration are not known .  Joseph may have traveled back to Shumsk and returned to Philadelphia with his family, or he may simply have sent for them after he had established himself in America .  By 1920, the family had changed their surname to Savitt.

During the period from 1910 to 1930, Joseph worked as a maker of feather dusters, as a dealer (?) and as a motor mechanic in a motor brushes manufacturing factory .  By 1920, the family owned their own home in Philadelphia.

Morris Sarvetnick (Morris Savitt)

Morris married a woman named Sarah .  Sarah was born in about 1899-1900 in Russia . Â Between 1910-1930, Morris worked variously as a manufacturer of feather dusters, as a shoe worker in a shoe factory, and as a cutter in a meat store .  The couple raised three children:  Thelma (or Tillie) born in about July 1918, Lillian born in about 1920-1921, and Robert, born in about 1926-1927, all in Pennsylvania.

David Sarvetnick (David Savitt)

David married Hilda V. Joffe . Â David was born In Shumsk, Russia on April 15, 1898 or 1899 or 1900 and died on October 6, 1964 .  Hilda was born on July 5, 1912 in Rochester, New York and died on August 26, 2000 .  From 1920-1930 David worked as a cutter and as a salesman in wholesale dresses .  David and Hilda had two sons, both born in Pennsylvania.

William Sarvetnick (William Savitt)

William married Mildred Elizabeth Lehrman .  Mildred was born on July 21, 1917 in New Mexico . Â Between 1920-1930, William worked as a salesman in a department store and as a salesman in wholesale shoes . Â William and Mildred had a son, Richard William, who was born on December 16, 1943 in Los Angeles, Los Angeles Co., California .  Richard died on February 26, 2006 in Visalia, Tulare Co., California.

Jacob Sarvetnick (Jan Savitt)

Although some official documents list Jacob’s birthdate as September 4, 1913, he was most certainly born before 1910, probably about 1908 .  Biographies often list his birthplace as Petrograd (St. Petersburg), Russia, but it’s more likely that he was born in Shumsk, Russia, where his parents and brothers were born.

By 1930, Jacob went by the name of Jay Savitt, and later he adopted the name Jan Savitt .  He studied violin at the Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia from 1924 to 1930 with Carl Flesch and Richard Hartzer . Â According to the 1930 Census, he was working as a musician in an Orchestra, probably the Philadelphia Orchestra where he played under the direction of Leopold Stokowski.

According to The Big Bands by George Thomas Simon (Shirmer Books, New York, 1981), Jan organized The Savitt String Quartet and won the Philharmonic Society’s Gold Medal Award as well as a radio series on CBS .  He was hired to be the musical director at Philadelphia radio station WCAU, and later he was hired by the Philadelphia radio station KYW.

In 1937, Jan formed the popular band The Top Hatters, playing at hotels and ballrooms .  The band played with a distinctive beat called a shuffle rhythm, designed around a piano playing at double time .  On April 7, 1940, Jan married his wife Barbara in New York City . Â The couple had two children.

Jan Savitt and His Top Hatters continued to play around the country, gaining great popularity .  In addition to playing instrumentals, the band employed the talented singers Carlotta Dale and Bon Bon (George Tunnell) .  Bon Bon was one of the first African Americans to work with a white band .  Later, the budding movie star Gloria DeHaven performed with the band .  In 1944, Jan increased the size of his orchestra and went on tour with Frank Sinatra.

In his career, Jan Savitt played the violin professionally, worked for two radio stations, conducted his own orchestras, and wrote his own music, including Moonrise (1937), 720 in the Books (1939), and It’s a Wonderful Life (1941) .  In 1939, Jan Savitt’s recording of 720 in the Books reached #17 in the popular music charts .  In 1940, his recording Make Believe Island reached #8 in the charts .  Recordings of the music of Jan Savitt and His Top Hatters are readily available on CD today .  If that weren’t enough for one career, Jan Savitt also made a couple of movies, including High School Hero (1946) and That’s My Gal (1947).

On October 4, 1948, while on tour in Sacramento, California, Jan Savitt died of a cerebral hemorrhage at the age of 40.

Copyright © 2006 by Stephen J. Danko

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World War II Draft Cards for David and Morris Savitt

Posted on July 20, 2006 by Steve

The last two records for the Savitt family I was able to find are the World War II Draft Registration Cards for David and Morris Savitt .  These cards are from the “Old Men’s Draft” described in a previous post .  These are the Draft Registration Cards for the Fourth Registration conducted in 1942 and include men born between 28 APR 1877 and 16 FEB 1897.

WWII David Savitt

David Savitt’s World War II Draft Registration Card

Click on the link for a PDF copy of the WW2 Draft Card for David Savitt – 1942. The record states that:

  • David Savitt’s Serial Number was U192
  • He lived at 5807 Hazel Ave., Phila., Pa. and his mailing address was the same
  • His telephone number was She. 0689
  • He was 46 years old and was born on Mar. 4, 1896 in Russia
  • A person who would always know his address was Mr. Frank Meingort, 5807 Hazel Ave., Phila., Pa.
  • His employer was Mayfair Leather Co., 1308 Vine St., Phila., Pa

WWII Morris Savitt

Morris Savitt’s World War II Draft Registration Card

Click on the link for a PDF copy of the WW2 Draft Card for Marris Savitt – 1942. The record states that:

  • Morris Savitt’s Serial Number was U1176
  • He lived at 5961 Belmar Ter., Phila., Penna . and his mailing address was the same
  • His telephone number was Sar. 7149
  • He was 46 years old and was born on Sept. 28 1896 in Sumk, Russia
  • A person who would always know his address was Sarah Savitt, 5961 Belmar Ter.
  • He was self-employed at his home address

Based on the birthdate of David, I assume this David is the brother or nephew of Joseph Savitt .  Morris is the son of Joseph Savitt.

These cards also have information on the reverse, but the way the cards were digitized, I could not obtain the reverse side of the cards .  When I’m in Salt Lake City next, I’ll copy the reverse sides of these cards.

Copyright © 2006 by Stephen J. Danko

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Where’s Morris?

Posted on July 19, 2006 by Steve

Jan Savitt’s older brother Morris was listed with his parents and brothers in the 1910 US Census, but was missing from the enumeration of the same family in 1920 and 1930 .  So, where was he?

In 1920, Morris is listed as head of household in a different house.

1930 Morris Savitt

1920 US Census Record for Morris Savitt and Family

Click on the link for a PDF copy of US Federal Census Record for the Morris Savitt Family – 1920. The record shows that:

  • Morris Savitt was living at 5535 Pemberton Street in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
  • Morris was a married white male, 26 years old, and born in Russia
  • He owned his house; the house was mortgaged
  • He immigrated in 1907 and was an alien
  • His native tongue was Yiddish, he could read and write, and he could speak English
  • He was employed as a shoe worker in a shoe factory
  • Morris’ wife was a married white woman named Sarah who was 20 years old and born in Russia
  • She immigrated in 1906 and was an alien
  • Her native tongue was Yiddish, she could read and write, and she could speak English
  • She was not employed
  • The couple had a daughter Tillie who was a single female 1 6/12 years old, born in Pennsylvania
  • A boarder named Isaac Bronstrin [?] lived with them

In 1930, Morris had moved.

1930 Morris Savitt

1930 US Census Record for Morris Savitt and Family

Click on the link for a PDF copy of US Federal Census Record for the Morris Savitt Family – 1930. The record shows that:

  • Morris Savitt was living at 5544 [?] Chester Avenue in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
  • Morris was a married white male, 34 years old, and born in Russia
  • He was 22 years old when first married
  • He rented his house for $80 a month
  • He immigrated in 1908 and was naturalized
  • His native tongue was Yiddish, he could read and write, and he could speak English
  • He was employed as a cutter in a meat store
  • Morris’ wife was a married white woman named Sarah who was 30 years old and born in Russia
  • She immigrated in 1908 and was naturalized
  • Her native tongue was Yiddish, she could read and write, and she could speak English
  • She was not employed
  • The couple had a daughter Thelma who was a single female 11 years old, born in Pennsylvania, who was attending school, could read and write, and could speak English
  • The couple had a daughter Lillian who was a single female, 9 years old, born in Pennsylvania, who was attending school and could read and write
  • The couple had a son Robert who was a single male, 3 years old, born in Pennsylvania

So, by 1920 Morris had married and started a family .  The immigration information in the 1910 Census showed that he immigrated in 1907, 1908, and 1909 .  He was naturalized between 1920 and 1930 .  The information in the 1930 census indicates that he and Sarah were married in 1917 or 1918 .  Based on information in the 1910, 1920, and 1930 census records, Morris was born between 1893-1896, Sarah was born between 1899 and 1900, Thelma (Tillie) was born in about July 1918, Lillian was born between 1920 and 1921, and Robert was born between 1926 and 1927.

Copyright © 2006 by Stephen J. Danko

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Josef Sarwetnik and the Kaiserin Auguste Victoria

Posted on July 18, 2006 by Steve

Devi provided me with some additional information on her grandfather, Josef Sarwetnik (Joseph Savitt) that she obtained from her cousin .  The information was from her grandfather’s naturalization papers, which stated that Josef Sarwetnik arrived in New York on December 10, 1906 aboard the S.S. Kaiserin Auguste Victoria which departed from Hamburg .  The naturalization papers also stated that he was born on December 10, 1869 in Shumsk, Russia and listed Josef’s wife Ida and children Morris, David, William, and Jacob .  The Petition for Naturalization was dated June 17, 1918 and provided Joseph’s address as 1328 So. Reese Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Kaiserin Auguste Victoria

The Kaiserin Auguste Victoria

A search of Ellis Island Records produced no positive results .  Likewise, using Stephen Morse‘s search tools for the Ellis Island Records produced no results .  Since Devi knew the name of the ship and the date on which her grandfather arrived, I searched the ships lists on Stephen Morse’s site.

I entered the name of the ship and the arrival date and was rewarded with a link to the first page of the Passenger Manifest for the Kaiserin Auguste Victoria for passengers arriving on December 10, 1906.

I searched the manifest, page by page, until I found the name Sarwetnik on one of the pages .  Although a significant portion of the page was missing (including the first name of the passenger), I became confident that this manifest matched the information on Josef’s naturalization papers.

Josef Sarwetnik Manifest

Passenger Manifest for Josef Sarwetnik (1906)

Click on the link for a PDF copy of of the Passenger Manifest for Josef Sarwetnik – 1906 .  The manifest states that:

  • (Josef) Sarwetnik was a 38 year old married male, listed on line 22 of the manifest
  • He traveled on the S.S. Kaiserin Auguste Victoria, departed from Hamburg on November 23, 1906, and arrived in New York on December 10, 1906
  • He was not able to read or write
  • His nationality was Russian, his race was Hebrew, and his last residence was Shumsk
  • Josef’s final destination was Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, he had a ticket to his final destination, and he paid for the passage himself
  • He had seven and a half dollars;  he had not been in the United States before
  • He was going to stay with his brother, Isaac Sarwetnik at 1254 [Psum] in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
  • He was 5 feet 6 inches tall, with light brown hair and grey eyes
  • His place of birth was Shumsk

Since this manifest is torn, not all of the information is available .  The first name is missing and we can only assume this is Josef . Â  His occupation is missing, the date of arrival shows December 8, 1906 overwritten with December 10, 1906 .  The actual date of arrival was December 10, 1906 .  The information on his brother Isaac is actually written on the wrong line, but we can conclude this is the correct information for our passenger by counting down the entries on the page to arrive at line 22 .  The street address for Isaac is hard to read.

Devi had also told me that her grandfather had a brother Isaac, so this is further evidence that this is the correct manifest.

I also found the World War I Draft Registration Card for Isaac Sarvetnik.

WWI Isaac Sarvetnick F

WWI Isaac Srvetnick B

World War I Draft Registration for Isaac Sarvetnik

Click on the link for a PDF Copy of the WW1 Draft Card for Isaac Sarvetnik – 1918 .  The Draft Card states that:

  • Isaac Sarvetnick’s Serial Number was 1247 and his Order Number was 2325
  • He lived at 1324 South Reese Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
  • He was 40 years old and was born on October 25, 1878
  • He was white, a declared alien, and was a citizen of Russia
  • He was employed as a shoemaker at J. Edwards and Company at 314 North 12th Street in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
  • His wife was Ida Sarwetnick who lived at 1324 South Reese Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
  • He was of medium height, medium build, with grey eyes and black hair

Note that Isaac’s address from his World War I Draft Card in 1918 is right next door to Joseph’s address from his Petition for Naturalization in 1918 .  Note also that both Isaac and David Sarvetnick (see yesterday’s post) worked at the same shoe company .  Both of these observations provide further evidence that Joseph, David, and Isaac are related.

All in all, the Passenger Manifest for Josef Sarwetnik appears to be the correct manifest .  However, Josef arrived alone in 1906 but his son Jacob was born in Russia in 1908 .  Furthermore, the family reported on the 1910 Census that they immigrated in 1909 .  Did Josef return to Russia, sire a son, and return to Philadelphia in 1909?  If so, there should be another Passenger Manifest to document the arrival of the family in 1909 .  As yet, we have not found this manifest.

Copyright © 2006 by Stephen J. Danko

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World War I Draft Registrations of David Sarvetnick and David Savitt

Posted on July 17, 2006 by Steve

In the 1930 Census Record for the Joseph Savitt family, there are two David Savitts listed .  One is the son of Joseph Savitt and the other is listed as the nephew of Joseph Savitt .  Both of these Davids registered for the World War I Draft.

Joseph’s son David registered on September 12, 1918 as David Savitt.

WWI David Savitt Front

WWI David Savitt Back

World War I Draft Registration for David Savitt

Click on the link for a PDF copy of the WW1 Draft Card for David Savitt – 1918. The document states that:

  • David Savitt’s Serial Number was 1233 and his Order Number was 3316
  • David’s permanent address was 1326 South Reece Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
  • David was 18 years old and his birthday was August 15, 1900
  • He was a White, Non-Declarant Alien and a citizen of Russia
  • His occupation was laborer and his employer was Sonia Fleischer
  • His place of employment was 1217 Vine Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
  • His nearest relative was his mother, Ida Savitt whose address was 1326 South Reece Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
  • He was described as short, of medium build, with brown eyes and black hair

David, who was described as Joseph’s nephew in the 1930 Census, registered on June 5, 1917 as David Sarvetnick.

WWI David Sarvetnick Front

WWI David Sarvetnick Back

World War I Draft Registration for David Sarvetnick

Click on the link for a PDF copy of the WW1 Draft Card for David Sarvetnick – 1917. The document states that:

  • Three numbers appear on David’s registration card:  708, 4829, and 37-6-1
  • David’s permanent address was 1326 South Reece Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
  • David was 21 years old and his birthday was march 4, 1896
  • He had declared his intention to become a citizen and was born in the Valucz Guber (Volhynia Gubernia) in Russia
  • His occupation was shoe worker and his employer was Edwards Shoe Company
  • His place of employment was 12th and Wood Streets, City (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania)
  • His father and mother in Russia were dependent on him for support
  • He was single and of the white race
  • He was described as of medium height, of slender build, with blue eyes and black hair

On the 1930 Census record, this David was reported as Joseph’s nephew .  This may be the same David Sarvetnick whose passenger manifest reported him as Joseph’s brother .  On the passenger manifest, he was 17 years old in 1911, indicating he was born in 1893-1894 .  On the 1930 Census, he was 31 years old, indicating he was born in 1898-1899 .  On this World War I Draft Card, he was born on March 4, 1896.

Although the dates don’t match, these three records are for the same person, since the address on the Draft Card was the same as Joseph’s son David Savitt, his occupation was the same as the David in the 1930 Census, his year of immigration was the same in the passenger manifest and on the 1930 Census, and his birthplace (Volhynia Gubernia, Russia) was the same on the passenger manifest and on the Draft Card.

The question remains, however, is this David the brother or the nephew of Joseph?

Blank World War I Draft Registration Cards are available at Ancestry.com so that you can read what the questions on the cards were .  Three different cards were used during different registration campaigns:

  1. Registration on June 5, 1917 for men born between June 6, 1886 and June 5, 1896
  2. Registration on June 5, 1918 for men born between June 6, 1896 and June 5, 1897 with a supplemental registration on August 24, 1918 for men born between June 6, 1897 and August 24, 1897
  3. Registration on September 12, 1918 for men born between September 11, 1872 and September 12, 1900 who had not previously registered

Men already in the military did not have to register, but all other male residents of the United States between the ages of 18 and 45 were required to register, whether or not they were citizens.

Copyright © 2006 by Stephen J. Danko

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