Cerf Family Photo about 1894

The Cerfs seemed to love their family gatherings.  Here is another photo taken in Ukiah, California, about 1894.

Cerf Family in Ukiah about 1894

This diagram will help us identify everyone.

1.  Phoebe Levy Cerf [born 1840, married to Aaron Cerf]
2.  Clarisse Cerf Rosenberg [born 1867, daughter of Aaron and Phoebe Levy Cerf]
3.  Victorine Levy Levy [born 1851, Phoebe Levy Cerf's half-sister]
4.  Sophia Hofman [born 1851, married to Charles Hofman]
5.  Nurse
6.  Camille Rosenberg (Goldstein Jagorda) [born 1889, daughter of Samuel and Clarisse Cerf Rosenberg]
7.  maybe Lucien Cerf [born 1874, son of Aaron and Phoebe Levy Cerf]
8.
9.  Arthur "Archie" Cerf (with gun) [born 1886, son of Aaron and Phoebe Levy Cerf]
10.  Clotilde Cerf Rosenberg [born 1872, daughter of Aaron and Phoebe Levy Cerf]
11.  Aaron Cerf [born 1824, married to Phoebe Levy Cerf]
12.
13.  Felice Cerf (Hofman) (with bicycle) [born 1880, daughter of Aaron and Phoebe Levy Cerf]
14.  Celia Hofman (Lobree) (with bicycle) [born 1875, daughter of Charles and Sophia Hofman]
15.  Sarah Hofman (Mish) [born 1888, daughter of Charles and Sophia Hofman]
16.  Ben Hofman [born 1881, son of Charles and Sophia Hofman]
17.  Aline Rosenberg (Warner) [born 1892, daughter of Samuel and Clarisse Cerf Rosenberg]
18.  Emile Cerf [born 1877, son of Aaron and Phoebe Levy Cerf]

A Visit to Metzervisse

Metzervisse, France, is north of the city of Metz and in the departement of Moselle and region of Lorraine, about 80 miles northwest of Phalsbourg.  It is the birthplace of Phoebe Levy Cerf, Aaron Cerf's wife.  When my family visited the area in 1999, we stumbled upon the Jewish cemetery as we approached the town.

New granite graves were lined up near old, crumbling headstones, some unreadable and fallen over.  As we strolled through the cemetery, both in the well-cared-for section and the section with high weeds, we read the names of Cerf, Levy, Israel, Picard, and Jacob.  We also saw two Cerf Cerfs and a recent Arthur Cerf. The Cerf name also appears in the Levy ancestral  branch, as you will learn below.  This cemetery appeared to be a regional cemetery as nearby towns, including Buding, were represented.

Metzervisse Jewish Cemetery

In the business section of the town, the local notary public was the only person we could find who spoke some English.  He was delighted to speak with us, saying the last American he met there was fifteen years ago, and he was from Texas.  In answer to our question, the notary public didn't know of anyone named Levy or Cerf living in the area.  Then he took us to the pharmacy where he said we would find something interesting.

The small town square with the pharmacy opposite the church

We thanked the notary public inside the pharmacy after he directed one of the clerks to take us through the back door and into a private courtyard area.  There we saw an old building that was missing one wall, like an open garage.  It was filled with storage items, but looking past them, we discovered an old Hebrew arch built on the inner wall.  We remarked about all the life events that had probably taken place inside the small room once used as a synagogue.

Old Metzervisse synagogue

On our way back through the pharmacy, the clerk took us across the street to view the war memorial next to the church.  One side had names from World War I and on the other side were names from World War II.

Metzervisse WWI memorial

Metzervisse WWII memorial

While exploring the town of Metzervisse, we took a few photos of the old train station and some houses that caught our eyes.

Metzervisse train station

Metzervisse house

Metzervisse house

A few miles from Metzervisse is the very small town of Buding, where Phoebe Levy Cerf's maternal grandmother, Rachel Moyse Cerf Boeles, was born about 1773, though she died in Metzervisse in 1849, and where Phoebe's maternal great-grandparents, Moyse Cerf and Caroline Levy, parents of Rachel, died.

The church at Buding

We stopped at the church in Buding to look at the the town's war memorial, noting there was one person with the first name of Cerf listed on the World War II side.  The names of those who died in deportation are difficult to read, but include the last names of Jacob, Lambert, Picard, Rixem, and Zacharius.

Names of Buding residents who died in deportation during WWII

Buding WWI memorial

If you haven't had the pleasure of visiting an ancestral town in the "old country," we are here to tell of the timelessness we experienced while feeling a strange sort of connection to a place never visited before.

Levy Family Tree

In the Cerf Family Tree, there is a Levy branch, formed by the marriage of Aaron Cerf to Phoebe Levy. Below are a few family photos, followed by the Levy family tree. You'll see names of early California merchants in the tree, such as Lobe and Lobree. Please send any changes or addition to dawncerf [at] gmail.com.

Phoebe Levy Cerf, probably taken around 1865 when she married Aaron Cerf.

The Estelle Levy Lobe family taken around 1930.
Standing (L-R):  Gussye Lobe, Nannette Lobe Hofman, Estelle Levy Lobe, Jules Lobe, Emilie Lobe Weaver, Albert Lobe, Cecile Lobe Bettman, Katherine "Kaye" Bettman Reinhertz, Lettie Rickerson Lobe.
Kneeling (L-R):  Carl Lobe and Felice Louise Hofman Dryfoos
Note on photo: Jules Lobe is Archie Cerf's best friend

The daughters of Estelle Levy Lobe (L-R):  Hilda Lobe, Nannette Lobe Hofman, Gussye Lobe, Cecile Lobe Bettman, and Emilie Lobe Weaver.  Photo probably taken around 1896.

LEVY FAMILY TREE

1-Gustave Nemele Levy, died 18 Jan 1833, Uhrwiller, Bas Rhin, France

    +Ester Isaac Schener, b. Abt 1764

    2-Gustave Isaac Levy, b. 16 Dec 1793, Uhrwiller, Bas Rhin, France

        +Hester Boeles, b. 19 Aug 1815, Bergen-Op-Zoom, Breda, Holland

    2-Thiebault Levy, b. Abt 1799, Uhrwiller, Bas Rhin, France

    2-Leopold Libmann Levy, b. 20 Sep 1805, Uhrwiller, Bas Rhin, France, d. 26 Feb 1890, Metzervisse, Moselle, France

        +Catherine Boeles, b. 18 Oct 1812, Breda, Holland, d. 20 Sep 1849, Metzervisse, Moselle, France

        3-Julie Levy, b. 20 Nov 1835, Metzervisse, Moselle, France, d. 14 Feb 1836, Metzervisse, Moselle, France

        3-Emile Emmanuel Levy, b. 1 Jan 1837, Metzervisse, Moselle, France

        3-Pauline Levy, b. 14 Jul 1838, Metzervisse, Moselle, France, d. 9 Oct 1917, San Francisco, California

            +Simon Abraham, b. May 1851, Prussia, Germany, d. 11 Dec 1907

        3-Phoebe Barbe Levy, b. 16 Jun 1840, Metzervisse, Moselle, France, d. 5 Aug 1916, San Francisco, California

            +Aaron Cerf, b. 16 Sep 1824, Phalsbourg, Moselle, France, d. 20 May 1908, San Francisco, California

            4-Clarisse Cerf, b. 3 Mar 1867, San Pable, Alameda, California, d. 6 Dec 1932, San Francisco, California

                +Samuel Louis Rosenberg, b. Sep 1851, Poland, d. 17 Oct 1912, California

                5-Camille Rosenberg, b. 16 Oct 1889, Ukiah, Mendocino, California

                    +Alvin Goldstein, b. 1892, California, d. 30 Mar 1920, Juneau, Alaska

                    +Jacob "Jack" Jagorda, b. 1891, New York

                5-Aline Rosenberg, b. 13 Jul 1892, Ukiah, Mendocino, California

                    +Charles Warner

                5-Leopold Morris Rosenberg Alexander, b. 2 May 1897, Ukiah, Mendocino, California, d. 20 Oct 1994, Watsonville, Santa Cruz, California

                    +Cecilia Alexander, b. 3 Jun 1905, Watsonville, Santa Cruz, California, d. 2 Jun 1991, Watsonville, Santa Cruz, California

            4-Bernard Cerf, b. 15 Dec 1868, San Pablo, Alameda, California, d. 1942, San Francisco, California

                +Regina Jacob, b. 1871, France, d. 1959, San Francisco, California

                5-Edgar Marcel Cerf, b. 6 Mar 1905, San Francisco, California, d. 20 Mar 1996, Potomac, Montgomery, Maryland

                    +Clara Ruelas, 13 Sep 1904, Mexico, d. 19 Jan 2003, Gold River, Sacramento, California

            4-Boy Cerf, b. 17 Aug 1870, San Pablo, Alameda, California, d. 18 Aug 1870, Oakland, Alameda, California

            4-Clotilde Cerf, b. 18 Apr 1872, Oakland, Alameda, California, d. 2 Dec 1955, San Francisco, California

                +Benjamin M. Rosenberg, b. 15 Mar 1864, Poland/Germany, d. 20 Nov 1948, Oxnard, California

                5-Cerf Solomon Rosenberg, b. 1 Aug 1896, Ukiah, Mendocino, California, d. 7 Oct 1968, Los Angeles, California

                    +Jean Ida Ross, b. Abt 1902, New York

                    6-Cerf Rosenberg, b. 4 Sep 1921 San Francisco, California, d. 8 Feb 1998, Austin, Texas

                        + Muriel Louise Rudin, b. 1908, d. 1996

                5-Alphonse Samson Rosenberg, b. 2 Jul 1898, Ukiah, Mendocino, California, d. Jul 1981, Palo Alto, San Mateo, California

                    +Adele Gross, b. 7 Feb 1907, New York, d. 19 Mar 2006, Palo Alto, San Mateo, California

            4-Lucien Cerf, b. 11 May 1874, Oakland, Alameda, California, d. 10 Dec 1957, San Francisco, California

                +Marie Bine, b. 14 Sep 1883, California, d. 18 Mar 1957, San Francisco, California

            4-Emile Cerf, b. 16 Jan 1877, Oakland, Alameda, California, d. 31 Dec 1944, California

                +Carrie, b. Abt 1890, Oregon

                5-Emile Aaron Cerf, Jr., b. 28 Jun 1910, California, d. 10 Mar 1937, California

                5-Russell Cerf, b. 25 Sep 1916, California, d. 21 Jan 1988, Rucson, Pima, Arizona

            4-Felice Cerf, b. 22 Dec 1880, Oakland, Alameda, California, d. 2 Dec 1919, California

                +Louis Hofman, b. 8 Dec 1879, Mendocino, California

                5-Felice Louise Hofman, b. 12 Dec 1911, California, d. Jul 1986, San Francisco, California

                    +Herbert Dryfoos, b. 26 Mar 1910, California, d. 27 May 2000, Walnut Creek, Contra Costa, California

                    6-Robert Dryfoos, b. 7 Jul 1939, d. Jan 1974

                    6-Linda Dryfoos (Adopted), d., California

            4-Arthur "Archie" Cerf, b. 17 Jan 1886, Oakland, Alameda, California, d. 13 Sep 1979, San Francisco, California

                +Addie Zander, b. 22 Jul 1889, San Francisco, California, d. 23 Feb 1963, San Francisco, California

        3-Fanny Levy, b. 25 Aug 1842, Metzervisse, Moselle, France, d. 16 Mar 1897, San Francisco, California

            +David Lobree, b. 1838, Poland, d. 1910, Oakland, Alameda, California

            4-Elias Lobree, b. Apr 1872, Middletown, Lake, California, d. 1904

                +Celia Hofman, b. 28 Oct 1875, California, d. 13 Nov 1955, San Francisco, California

                5-Floyd H. Lobree, b. 21 Oct 1901, California, d. 19 Apr 1987, Fresno, California

            4-Camilla Lobree, b. 1873, Middletown, Lake, California, d. 1932

                +Morris Aronson, b. 1896, d. 1965

                5-Gerome Aronson, b. 1896, d. 1965

                    +Viola, b. 1907

            4-Eva Lobree, b. 1877, Middletown, Lake, California, d. 1947

                +Frank Mordecai, b. 1866, d. 1951

                 5-Frances Mordecai, b. 1905, d. 1999

                    +Samuel Breger

                 5-David Frank Mordecai, b. 1907, d. 1994

                    +Penny, b. 1911

            4-Deborah Lobree, b. 17 Sep 1878, Middletown, Lake, California, d. 29 Dec 1953, Oakland, Alameda, California

                +Alexander Hirshberg, b. 1856, New York, d. 1922

                5-Rachel A. Hirshberg, b. 1907, Oakland, Alameda, California, d. 1984

                    +Murry Felds, d. 1985

                5-Alexander Hirshberg, Jr., b. 13 Oct 1908, Oakland, Alameda, California, d. 2 Jun 1984, San Francisco, California

                5-Doris F. Hirschberg, b. 5 May 1911, Oakland, Alameda, California, d. 2003

                    +Harry Underwood

                    +Richmond Hobson

            4-Aaron "Al" Lobree, b. 1880, Middletown, Lake, California, d. 1937

                +Flora Scheuer, b. 1885, d. 1966

                5-Donald Lobree, b. 1911, d. 1992

                    +Helen Louise

                5-Charles Lobree, b. 1919, d. 2004

                    +Margot

            4-Lucien Leon Lobree, b. 28 Jul 1882, Middletown, Lake, California, d. 16 Nov 1958, Lake County, California

                +Carrie Shire, b. 1888, California

                5-Carol Lobree, b. 9 Jul 1919, San Francisco, California, 23 Sep 1990, Humboldt County, California

                    +Loudon

            4-Victor H. Lobree, b. 8 May 1884, Middletown, Lake, California, d. 23 Oct 1948, San Francisco, California

                +Zelma Gladys Anthony, b. 28 Jul 1891, California, d. 11 Nov. 1979, San Francisco, California

            4-Judith Lobree, b. Nov 1886, Middletown, Lake, California, d. 1969

                +Carl Locks, d. 1958

        3-Mayer Levy, b. 8 Oct 1844, Metzervisse, Moselle, France

            +Hannah, b. Aug 1852, New York

            4-Nathan L. Levy, b. 31 Mar 1874, California

                +Elizabeth Brandeman, b. 1880, California

            4-Victorine Levy, b. Sep 1876, California

        3-Estelle Levy, b. 25 Sep 1846, Metzervisse, Moselle, France, d. 9 Jun 1929, San Francisco, California

            +Leon Lobe, b. 24 Dec 1846, Paris, France, d. 19 Apr 1911, Bellingham, Washington

            4-Cecile Lobe, b. 2 Oct 1875, Oakland, Alameda, California, d. 26 Jan 1944, San Francisco, California

                +Gustav Bettman, b. 17 Nov 1864, San Francisco, California, d. 13 Apr 1953, San Francisco, California

                5-Gerald Leon Bettman, b. 20 Aug 1906, Bellingham, Washington, d. 15 Feb 1978, Los Molinos, Tehama, California

                    +Lois Barstow, b. 14 Sep 1908, d. 19 Mar 1991, Los Molinos, Tehama, California

                5-Katherine "Kaye" Bettman, b. 13 Aug 1910, Bellingham, Washington, d. 1 Feb 1994, Pacifica, San Mateo, California

                    +Julian "Rusty" Stamper Reinhertz, b. 27 Dec 1908, d. 15 Apr 1991, San Francisco, California

            4-Gustavia "Gussye" Lobe, b. 3 Apr 1877, Middletown, Lake, California, d. 13 Apr 1930, San Francisco, California

            4-Albert A. Lobe, b. 2 Dec 1879, Middletown, Lake, California, d. 29 Oct 1948

                +Lettie Rickerson

            4-Emilie Lobe, b. 26 Oct 1881, Middletown, Lake, California, d. 23 Jun 1945, Mendocino, California

                +Weaver

            4-Nannette Lobe, b. 17 Aug 1882, Middletown, Lake, California, d. 23 Apr 1974, Mendocino, California

                +Louis Hofman, b. 8 Dec 1879, Mendocino, California

            4-Carl Lobe, b. 21 Jul 1884, Middletown, Lake, California, d. Jul 1963, Washington

                _Babbette Emily Moohr, b. 1897, Montana

            4-Jules V. Lobe, b. 8 Dec 1886, Middletown, Lake, California, d. 12 Jul 1946, Mendocino, California

            4-Hilda Lobe, b. 25 Dec 1890, Washington

        3-Sara Levy, b. 22 Mar 1849, Metzervisse, Moselle, France, d. 4 Apr 1919, San Francisco, California

            +Sylvan Bonn, b. Aug 1849, Metzervisse, Moselle, France, d. 2 Feb 1903, San Francisco, California

            4-Achille Bonn, b. 12 Jul 1876, France, d. 20 Dec 1921, Agnews, California

                +Estella Robin, b. 13 Jan 1875, San Francisco, California, d. May 1971, San Francisco, California

                5-Helen Bonn, b. 14 Jun 1901, San Francisco, California, d. 28 Oct 1960, San Francisco, California

                    +Clinton Pittman, b. 4 May 1900, California, d. 1980, San Francisco, California

                5-Sylvan Bonn, b. 22 Feb 1905, San Francisco, California, d. 30 Jan 1984, Oakland, Alameda, California

                    +Rose K., 10 Dec 1900, Wisconsin, d. 27 Jul 1962, Oakland, Alameda, California

                5-Adrienne Bonn, b. 22 Apr 1911, San Francisco, California, d. 14 Sep 2012, San Francisco, California

            4-Gustave Bonn, b. Jun 1878, France, d. San Francisco, California

        +Fleurette Crehange (second wife of Leopold Libmann Levy)

            4-Victoire "Vic" Levy, b. 3 Apr 1851, Metzervisse, Moselle, France, d. 24 Jan 1917, San Francisco, California

                +Leon Levy, b. 27 Jan 1845, Strasbourg, Bas-Rhin, France, d. 30 Sep 1916, San Francisco, California

Cerf Family Photo 1922

Do you have any old photos you would like to share on this blog? I have photocopies of some great  ones that I wish I could have scanned, but I saw the originals in pre-scanner days. Send me a jpeg scan of the photo you would like to share via email at dawncerf [at] gmail.com, and I would be happy to post it. Make sure you identify as many people as you can and estimate when the photo was taken. The photos can be of any Cerf line, including descendants of Aaron's cousins, Ernest and Moise, or any related family in our large tree, such as the Levys.

Here is a photo of the Cerf clan gathered together around 1922 with a beautiful vintage car behind them.

Descendants and spouses of Aaron and Phoebe Levy Cerf about 1922.

To find out who's who, use this guide.

1.  Addie Zander Cerf (married to Arthur Cerf)
2.  Arthur Zander Cerf (son of Arthur Cerf)
3.  Arthur Cerf, aka Archie (son of Aaron and Phoebe Levy Cerf)
4.  Aline Ann Goldstein (daughter of Camille Rosenberg Goldstein Jagorda)
5.  Aline Rosenberg Warner (daughter of Clarisse Cerf Rosenberg)
6.  Clarisse Cerf Rosenberg (daughter of Aaron and Phoebe Levy Cerf)
7.  Lucien Cerf (son of Aaron and Phoebe Levy Cerf)
8.  Marie Bine Cerf (married to Lucien Cerf)
9.  Jack Jagorda (second husband of Camille Rosenberg Goldstein Jagorda as of 1923)
10.  Camille Rosenberg Goldstein Jagorda (daughter of Clarisse Cerf Rosenberg)
11.  Bernard Cerf, aka Ben (son of Aaron and Phoebe Levy Cerf)
12.  Fanny Landeker Goodman (niece of Ernest Cerf, Aaron's cousin)
13.  Benjamin Rosenberg (married to Clotilde Cerf Rosenberg)
14.  Clotilde Cerf Rosenberg (daughter of Aaron and Phoebe Levy Cerf)