Alaska Connection

A branch of the Cerf family settled in Alaska. Two daughters of Clarisse Cerf and her husband, Samuel Louis Rosenberg, who were also granddaughters of Aaron Cerf and his wife, Phoebe Levy Cerf, raised their families in Juneau, Alaska. Older sister, Camille Fannie Rosenberg, who was married to Alvin Goldstein, welcomed younger sister, Aline Rosenberg, and her husband, Charles Warner, to Alaska. I'm not sure of the years of their arrival, but Camille and Alvin's daughter was born in Juneau in 1916.

We are lucky to have a published article written by the son of Charles and Aline Rosenberg Warner about his memories of growing up and living in Juneau. The son, Peter Charles Warner, was adopted by the Warners. His name at birth was Samuel Moloff.  After graduating from Juneau-Douglas High School in 1939, Peter Charles Warner attended Oregon State College, earning a business degree. Following his parents' death, he turned his family's South Franklin Street machine shop into what was later known as Warner's Marine located at Warner's Wharf. 

Peter Charles Warner, born Samuel Moloff

Here is the article that appeared in the published book, Gastineau Channel Memories, 1880-1959. It is also posted on the Juneau Parks and Recreation website [http://www.juneau.org/parkrec/museum/forms/GCM/readarticle.php?UID=789&newxtkey=].

"I was born in Los Angeles, California, on August 15, 1921, to Russian Jewish immigrants. I was their only child. Four years later I was orphaned and was adopted by Aline and Charles Warner and was taken to live in far off Juneau, Alaska. The Warners had lost a baby boy at birth sometime before, and were then unable to have any more children of their own. They were wonderful people. As I understand it, he was in charge of the construction of the Salmon Creek dam and I know he was an outstanding machinist and engineer. They met when she was visiting her sister, Camille, who had married Alvin Goldstein, older son of the pioneer Juneau family of Charles and Laura Goldstein.

By the time of my arrival in Juneau, my father was owner of the Charles Warner Machine Shop located at 406 S. Franklin Street. They catered to the fishing fleets located in Juneau, Hoonah, Angoon and to some extent, Kake. 

My earliest recollection of my life in Juneau was an automobile ride given to my mother and me by U.S. Marshall McCloskey. The rifle he kept in his car really impressed me! I remember going on a picnic with my mother and Ina Lucas and her son, Lee. We were at Mendenhall Glacier and there seemed to be ice everywhere.

In those days, South Franklin Street was dominated by the A.J. Mine, the Juneau Sawmill, the Juneau Cold Storage, whore houses and bars. As a small boy, I would go to the machine shop to walk home with my mother, who was office manager for the business. I often wondered what the ladies were doing sitting in the windows with their nightie gowns on.

The people of South Franklin were a varied bunch. Roy and Juanita Rutherford owned the Juneau Lumber Company and lived in a nice house on the premises with their daughters, Florence and Dorothy. They were very good friends of ours. Jack Dalton, machinist at the sawmill was a very likable person. For me, there was only one horse in the whole world, and that was “Old Dick” at the sawmill. Then there was Wallis George of the Juneau Cold Storage. He was very instrumental in creating the Baranof Hotel. Also connected to the Cold Storage was Elton Engstrom, fishbuyer, a very flamboyant personality and politician. There was also Tom Morgan of the Columbia Lumber Company, who promoted a plywood mill on South Franklin that burned down about the day after it opened. Marshall Erwin was one of Juneau’s leading grocers, and one of the first to relocate out by the airport.

Which reminds me of the day at the Juneau Chamber of Commerce luncheon when the dairymen showed up as a group to protest the importation of milk from the lower 48 by local grocers. None of us could foresee the results of this, but I am sure it wasn’t very long before most of them realized that there was better money to be made in real estate than getting up at the crack of dawn to milk cows.

Changing with the times has always been part of things in life and in business. Through the years, Warner’s went from doing repair work on commercial boats to selling boats and motors to weekend sport fisherman. One day Dick Garrison came into my office and said, “Pete, why don’t you retire from this rat race?” And to make a long story short, I did.

A year or so later I left Juneau with my then wife, Lorene. We went to Seattle on my 28 foot Tollycraft. By then I was 52. Since then Lorene has passed away and I am remarried and today, at age 79, I live in Florida. About every year I go to Anchorage where my first wife, the former Audrey Feero, lives with her present husband. My daughter and two sons live there and I have six grandchildren and five great grandchildren.

I have been in Juneau several times and think the town looks great. South Franklin Street is outstanding and people should appreciate their terrific tourist business."  [end of article]

Peter Charles Warner died in 2007 in Delray Beach, FL. In his obituary, he is remembered fondly by his family:

"He treasured his family and friends and was loved by many. As a young man, he enjoyed hunting, fishing and writing. One of his more memorable hunting trips published in Alaska magazine's Selected Alaska Hunting and Fishing Tales (reprinted from Alaska Sportsman May 1952) was called Bucks and Ducks at Gambier Bay. He exclaimed, 'How lucky we are, we who live in Southeastern Alaska! Few of us would trade our heritage of wilderness mountains and sheltered waters.'

As an avid outdoorsman and traveler, he loved life and lived it to the fullest. His love to entertain and have a good time led him to play Chief Klake in the beginning days of Hoochinoo and Hotcake and clear many a dance floor as he tangoed with his partner. Whether it is hunting, fishing, boating or an occasional hug, he created many a fond memory for his children, grandchildren and friends. He will be missed." [end of excerpt from obituary]

Peter Warner's son said he and his siblings feel very fortunate that their father was adopted by the Warners as they cared well for Peter and gave him the means to prosper in life.

Cerf DNA Test

DNA testing has been done on a limited basis to reveal information about the male line of the Cerf family. The results show some close genetic matches with others who have been tested and indicate a likely migration route from Africa to Europe for the ancient male branch of the Cerf genetic tree.

What is Genetic Genealogy?

Y-DNA passes from father to son almost unaltered for long periods of time. It determines whether a child will be male or female. Humans have 23 paired chromosomes (bundles of tightly coiled DNA), 22 pairs of autosomes and one pair of sex chromosomes. A single chromosome of each pair is passed from each parent to child.

A test of the Y-DNA measures a short sequence on the Y chromosome. The cell sample is collected using a swab in the mouth rubbed on the inside of the cheek. The Y chromosome is the only chromosome unaffected by the mother's genes. It has definable segments of DNA with known genetic characteristics. These segments are known as markers. These markers occur at identifiable physical locations on a chromosome known as loci. Each marker is designated by an internationally used number known as a DYS number.

Although there are several types of markers used in DNA studies, the Y-Chromosome test uses only one type. The marker used is called a STR test (short tandem repeat test). STR's are short sequences of DNA (ususally 2, 3, 4, or 5 base pairs long), that are repeated numerous times in a head-tail manner. These repeats are referred to as alleles. The variation of the number of repeats of each marker enables discrimination between individuals. Because mutations in the allele value occur very slowly over time, one should see the same allele value for a male and his great-grandfather, for example.

Although more in-depth DNA tests can be run, we requested a basic 12-marker STR test (short tandem repeat test).

The test results above represent the actual allele values for 12 locations on the Cerf Y chromosome.

Predicted Haplogroup

If all alleles for the 12 locations match another person exactly, then they share the same haplotype. If the numbers are off by one position from another person in one location, then they are considered in the same haplogroup. Haplogroups are branches in the human genetic tree. They are tied to deep ancestry as far away as tens of thousands of years. Haplogroups are predicted based on the 12-marker results and using databases of individuals who have had their haplogroup confirmed through more extensive (and more expensive) DNA testing.

The predicted haplogroup for the Cerf family is E1b1b1, also known as E-M35.1.

Migration Map

The ancestors of present day non-African people left their ancestral homeland roughly 60,000 to 70,000 years ago. Haplogroup E1b1b, which is a larger group that Haplogroup E1b1b1 falls into, represents the last direct major migration from Africa into Europe. Using DNA samples from a quarter of a million volunteers (as of 2008) in different continents, scientists have completed a massive study that created a migration map for mankind. The migration of the E1b1b haplogroup indicates migration from central Africa to East Africa and across Africa's northern coast. A smaller portion of people in this haplogroup migrated from East Africa to the Middle East and then into Europe from the Mediterranean (not shown on the map).

The final common ancestor in the E1b1b1 haplogroup, the man who's genetic mutation gave rise to this marker, was born around 20,000 years ago in the Middle East. On the European continent, this haplogroup has the highest present-day concentration in northwest Greece, Albania and Kosovo, and then fading around the Balkans, the west of Greece and western Turkey. Outside Europe, it is found in most of the Middle East, northern and eastern Africa, especially in Morocco, Libya, Egypt, Yemen, Somalia, Ethiopia, and South Africa. This E1b1b1 haplogroup was the group that migrated from East Africa to Europe via the Middle East.

Genetic Matches

Only two persons who have undergone genetic testing match all 12 allele markers perfectly. They both indicate their oldest known ancestor in the male lineage came from Switzerland. The last names of those oldest known ancestors were Blatter and Shuler. What does this mean? Statistically, it means that there is a 50 percent probability that the Most Recent Common Ancestor lived no longer ago than seven generations. This is only an estimate, and the actual generation of the shared ancestor could be nearer or further than predicted. There is a 90 percent probability that the Most Recent Common Ancestor lived no longer ago than 23 generations. And there is a 95 percent probability that the Most Recent Ancestor lived no longer ago than 29 generations. Scientists use 25 years as the length of a typical generation prior to the Dark Ages and 25 to 30 years per generation for the period thereafter.

There are currently 29 persons who have undergone genetic testing showing a genetic distance of one (one allele out of 12 is different by only one number of repeats).  And there are 148 matches with a genetic distance of two, still within the range of most well-established surname lineages in Western Europe. Even with a genetic distance of four between two people, they are still "probably related."

The countries of the oldest known ancestor in the male lineage with a genetic distance of one include Hungary, England, Scotland, USA (South Carolina and Virginia), Turkey, Canada (Ontario), Austria, Switzerland, Saudi Arabia, Netherlands, and Egypt. The countries of the oldest known ancestor in the male lineage with a genetic distance of two include Germany, Czechoslovakia, Wales, Canada, England, Russia, Ireland, Saudi Arabia, Poland, USA (Tennessee, North Carolina, Kentucky, New York, New Jersey, Michigan, and Indiana), South Sandwich Islands, Ukraine, Belarus, Austria, Chile, Latvia, Spain, India, Italy, Mexico, Switzerland, Portugal, France, Romania, Netherlands, Lebanon, Hungary, and Egypt. Remember, our sample is only composed of those people who have had genetic testing done.

What's Ahead in the Future

Family Tree DNA plans to post genetic information of famous persons in history so that researchers will be able to compare themselves. Some famous persons supposedly in the E1b1b1 or E1b1b haplogroups, but with varying genetic distance, are Henry Rothschild, Pope Paul V, the artist Caravaggio, Napoleon Bonaparte, Albert Einstein, the Wright Brothers, President Lyndon B. Johnson, and even Adolph Hitler.

The Genographic Project at National Geographic hopes to answer some questions about mankind. "How many migrations out of Africa were there? What role did the Silk Road, with its caravans and bazaars, play in dispersing genetic lineages across Eurasia? What can our genes tell us about the origins of languages? How did the great empires of history leave their genetic marks on our DNA? And if we all share such a recent common ancestry, why do we all look so different?"

References:

Family Tree DNA, familytreedna.com.

Genographic Project at National Geographic, genographic.nationalgeographic.com.

McKie, Robin, "The Incredible Journey Taken by Our Genes," The Observer, August 30, 2008, http://www.guardian.co.uk/science/2008/aug/31/genetics?INTCMP=SRCH.

Ysearch.org.

Extending the Cerf Family Tree

I discovered a European Jewish genealogy website called GeneaNet.org with an extensive family tree that includes our Cerf branch. It has some very exciting information about where the Cerfs came from before arriving in Phalsbourg, France.

GeneaNet requires registration, but it is free to look. Special search features require payment. I'm hoping the link I provide below will work for everyone. If not, you might need to register first.

Here's the link:  Cerf Family Tree from Europe.  Scroll down to the bottom of the very long Descendants Chart and you will see Moyse Salomon Cerf, his wife Pierrette (Gail) Levy Lehmann, and their seven children, including Bernard Cerf (father of immigrant Aaron Cerf) and Barach Cerf (father of immigrants Moise/Moses and Ernest Cerf).

Follow the chart upwards, looking for Moyse Salomon Cerf's parents, Salomon Zalman Cerf and Rose Reisele Levy (third generation from the left). Now scroll to the top of the chart to find the first and second generations from the left. Nephtali Mosche dit (aka) Moyse Cerf and his father, Jacob Moyse Cerf.

Click on any name you see on the chart, including spouses, to find birth, death and marriage information, if available. For instance, Salomon Zalman Cerf was born in Mittelbronn (near Phalsbourg), Moselle, Lorraine, France, and died in Phalsbourg, Moselle, Lorraine, France. His father, Nephtali Mosche dit Moyse Cerf, was born in Mittelbronn.  And the birthplace of his father, Jacob Moyse Cerf, was Worms, Rhenanie-Palatinat, Germany. This is extremely interesting information, and information I would like to verify.

I wrote to the family tree owner/researcher a while ago, but he never wrote back. Possibly there is a language barrier. He did, however, put my name as a reference for the names of the wives of Bernard and Barach Cerf that I gave him when I wrote. Unfortunately, he didn't have the names of the siblings of Moses and Ernest Cerf.

Will I be adding these names and vital record information to my Cerf family tree? Yes and no. I have added it to my own personal tree with notations of where the information came from. But I'm not adding it to my online tree just yet until I can somehow verify the information myself with records. That may not happen unless I hire another researcher in Europe. I did that once before (that researcher has since died). It has become a more expensive proposition.

Does anyone speak French? The owner/researcher, Remi Klotz, is French. Anyone is welcome to try to contact him...as long as you let me know what you find out.

Here is a descendants chart for Jacob Moyse Cerf born in Worms for your easy reference.  It only shows six generations to keep it short and easy to read. See the red arrows on the right side noting the Cerf immigrants to the U.S., at least the ones I know about.

Reference:

Family Tree Remi Klotz on GeneaNet.org website at http://gw5.geneanet.org/rklotz1?lang=en&pz=remi+charles&nz=klotz&ocz=0&m=D&p=jacob+moyse&n=cerf&sosab=10&color=&t=A&v=10.

Add Bonn Lived to Age 101

Adrienne "Add" Bonn, an acclaimed artist, passed away in San Francisco on September 14, 2012, at the remarkable age of 101.

Add Bonn was born in 1911, the daughter of French emigrant Achille Bonn and San Francisco native Estella Robin Bonn. Her grandmother, Sara Levy Bonn, was the sister of Phoebe Levy Cerf.

As a successful artist, Add shared her visions, hopes and dreams through her art. A recent memorial about her life revealed, "She would take a tube of paint and show you a piece of her soul. Her renditions of San Francisco are detailed portraits of the flourishing city that she loved. When Add painted people, she muted the details modeling complexity in their simplicity and anonymity, allowing the viewer to insert oneself, and come to terms with her message."

Painting by Add Bonn

Among the many museums and galleries that exhibited Add's paintings were the De Young Museum, the San  Francisco Museum of Modern Art, the Palace of Legion of Honor, the Oakland Art Museum, and the San Francisco Women's Gallery. Add studied  at the California School of Fine Arts, now called the San Francisco Art Institute, and the Marion Hartwell School of Basic Design.

On Add's 100th birthday, a party was held in her honor at City Hall where her paintings were on display, and there was a large gathering of friends and relatives at her home the next day. Even at the age of 100, Add was ready to talk about what it was like growing up in the San Francisco of her day. Click this link to watch a YouTube video: Interview of Add Bonn at age 100.  Be sure to go to the end to discover her secret to longevity.

A 48-page transcribed interview of Add talking about growing up in the Mission District and later living in the Russian Hill/North Beach districts is full of interesting recollections.  It can be accessed via this link: Written interview of Add Bonn.  This document, containing photos of her and of her artwork, is part of the San Francisco Public Library collection.

Add was known as a "firecracker" to her relatives.  "Although she lived a quiet, personal life, the personna that she created was loud, gregarious, vivacious, and very public. She lived the message that she wanted the world to understand. Add's philosophy was 'You don't do things in this world because of the next world. You do what's right now, right now.'"

References:

"In Celebration of Add," a memorial by relatives, October 2012.

"Add Bonn" an interview by Alison and Barbara Frantz and the Telegraph Hill Dwellers, housed at the San Francisco Public Library, 2001, http://archive.org/details/addbonn00bonn.

"Add Bonn, Former SF Girls Club Member," filmed on October 5, 2011, posted on YouTube, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WQdsxfwxKoU.

Bernard Cerf's Family Photos

Bernard Cerf was the oldest son and second child born to Aaron and Phoebe Cerf. He was a clothing merchant with a store on Kearny Street near Sacramento Street in San Francisco.

Bernard Cerf (1868-1942)

Regina Jacob Cerf (1871-1959), wife of Bernard Cerf

Bernard and Regina Cerf had one child, Edgar Marcel Cerf.

Edgar Marcel Cerf (1905-1996)

Edgar Cerf owned a store in San Francisco that sold ladies' hats and Clara was a school nurse. Edgar and Clara were a sweet, loving couple who enjoyed adventure and keeping in touch with friends and relatives.  I have had some lovely visits with them and received heartwarming letters.  Here they are on a hiking adventure in the early 1990's.

Edgar Marcel Cerf (1905-1996) and his wife, Clara Ruelas Cerf (1904-2003)

Bonne and Levy Marriage

Here is a marriage record for Sylvain Bonne and Sara Levy. The family in the U.S. spelled the groom's name as Sylvan Bonn. One granddaughter is still living. She's 101 years old and lives in San Francisco. I was honored to be at her 100th birthday party.  She has some wonderful stories of growing up in San Francisco.

On March 9, 1875, at 9 a.m., the marriage of Sylvain Bonne, born in Lintgen, on September 20, 1851, a salesman, living in Aumetz, son of the late Bonne August, a salesman in Aumetz, and of the widow Adela Israel, 50 years of age, with Sara Levy, born in Metzervisse on March 20, 1849, a she-grocer, living in Metzervisse, a daughter of age of Leopold Levy, 68 years of age, a grocer, living in Metzervisse, and of the late Catherine Boeles.

Book Review

I just finished reading The Forgetting River: A Modern Tale of Survival, Identity, and the Inquisition, chronicling the author's search for clues about the religious background of her ancestors.

Doreen Carvajal is a New York Times journalist in France who grew up in California.  Her family came from Costa Rica, and before that from Spain, probably in Andalucia, around the time of the Spanish Inquisition.  She was raised a Catholic but recently became suspicious that her family's roots were Jewish.

When genealogical records failed to offer the proof she sought, Carvajal immersed herself in the Spanish culture by living for several months a year in the hillside Andalucian town of Arcos de la Frontera.  She compared the current religious traditions of the city with those of the Jewish people before and during the Inquisition with surprising results.

Her investigations included searching the history of anyone with the name Carvajal, which took her into the genealogical records of the Mexican Inquisition that are held at U.C. Berkeley, as well as obtaining dna analysis.

Although this book has no direct connection to the Cerf family, it is a fascinating look into how to conduct genealogical research that goes beyond a search of records.  Carvajal explores the climate during the Inquisition for the Jewish people and the conversos, those who converted to Catholicism to escape torture and death.  This book is a worthwhile read for anyone curious about Jewish history during the Inquisition.  Jewish traditions come to life in this heartfelt search for ancestral connection.

Phoebe Barbe Levy Cerf Photos

Here are two photos of Phoebe Barbe Levy Cerf.  I don't know the dates they were taken, but probably before she was married.  If anyone knows the years taken, please let me know and I will update this post.

Levy Death Records

In the registration records of Metzervisse, Departement of Moselle, France, there are several death records for the Levy family that I am posting here with basic information transcribed. Note that spellings of names can vary in the records.

Death of Rachel Moyse Cerf

On June 20, 1849, at 6 a.m., in her house, death of Rachel Moyse Cerf, 76 years of age, born in Buding, living in Metzervisse, the wife of Leman Benjamin Boeles, 86 years of age, living also in Metzervisse, a daughter of the late Moyse Cerf and Caroline Levy, who were merchants living in Buding, and died in that town. Notified by Moyse Heuman, 36 years of age, a teacher, living in Thionville, and Leopold Levy, 42 years of age, a grocer, living in Metzervisse. Both of them are her sons-in-law.

One of the witnesses, Moyse Heuman, is probably the M. Heumann who gave Phoebe Levy Cerf the prayer book that is in my blog of November 15, 2011. Now we can assume that the prayer book came from her uncle.

Death of Catherine Boeles

On September 20, 1849, at 3 a.m., in her house, death of Catherine Boeles, the wife of Libmann Levy, 37 years of age, born in Breda, Holland, a daughter of Leman Benjamin Boeles, formerly a teacher and of the late Rachelle Moyse Cerf. Notified on the same day by her husband, 44 years of age, a grocer, and Marx Cerf Cahen, 45 years of age, also a grocer, all living in Metzervisse.

Death of Leman Benjamin Boeles

On November 8, 1849, at 8 a.m., death of Leman Benjamin Boeles, 84 years of age, living in Metzervisse, born in Amsterdam, Holland, the widower of Rachel Moyse Cerf. Notified by Leopold Levy, 44 years of age, his son-in-law, a grocer, and Cerf Israel, 62 years of age, a baker and a neighbor of the deceased, both living in Metzervisse, who declare that the names and places of residence and of death of the parents of the deceased are unknown.

Death of Fleurette Crehange

On July 1, 1874, at 11 a.m., the death of Fleurette Crehange, 50 years of age, born in Corny, wife of Libmann Levy, 69 years of age, a grocer living in Metzervisse, a daughter of the late Oury Crehange and the of the late Sara Fribourg. Fleurette Crehange was the second wife of Libmann Levy.

Death of Libmann Levy

On February 26, 1890, at 5 p.m. at home, death of Libmann Levy, a landowner living in Metzervisse, 84 years of age, born in Uhrweiler (district of Haguenau), a widower of Fleurette Crehange, his last wife, a son of the late Gustav Levy, a salesman, and of the late Ester Isaac Schener, notified by Sylvain Bonn, a horse dealer on February 27, 1890.

Location of Towns

Metzervisse (current population of 1,600) is located about 30 kilometers northeast of Metz. Buding (about 500 population now) is 3 miles northeast of Metzervisse. Corny (population of about 2,000) is 9 miles southwest of Metz, on the River Moselle. Uhrwiller (Uhrweiler in German language, about 700 population) is about 30 kilometers north and a little west of Strasbourg. Thionville (population of 41,000) is about 30 kilometers north of Metz.

Levy Birth Records

I have copies of the registration pages from Metzervisse, France, where the births of the children of Leopold Levy and Catherine Boeles were recorded. These records are valuable genealogical documents, and even the names of the witnesses can be valuable in some way to someone. I begin with the first child.

Birth of Julie Levy

On November 20, 1835, at 7 a.m., birth of Julie Levy. a daughter of Libmann Levy, 29 years of age,  a salesman, and of Catherine Boeles, his wife, 23 years of age, notifed by Leopold Levy on November 21, 1835. Witnesses: Cerf Israel, 51 years of age, a baker, and Marc Cerf Cahen, 30 years of age, a tradesman, all living in Metzervisse. Note that the father signs Leopold Levi in gothic script.

Death of Julie Levy

On February 14, 1836, notification of the death of Julie Levy, 3 months of age, a daughter of Leopold Levy and of Catherine Boeles, his wife, notified by her father, 28 years of age [he lost a year], and by her grandfather, Leman Benjamin Boeles, 70 years of age, a Hebrew teacher, all living in Metzervisse.

Birth of Emmanuel Leopold Levy

On January 1, 1837, at 5 a.m., birth of Emmanuel Leopold Levy, a son of Leopold Levy, 31 years of age, a peddler, anad of Catherine Boeles, 23 years of age, a housekeeper, his wife, notified by Leopold Levy on the same day. Witnesses: Leman Benjamin Boeles, 72 years of age, a former Hebrew teacher, and Isaac Wimphen, 22 years of age, a butcher, all living in Metzervisse.

Birth of Pauline Levy

On July 14, 1838, at 11 a.m., birth of Pauline Levy, a daughter of Leopold Levy, 34 years of age, a peddler, and of Catherine Boeles, his wife, 25 years of age, a housekeeper, notified by Leopold Levy on July 15, 1838. Witnesses: Leman Benjamin Boeles, 72 years of age, and Salomon Gouguenheim, 57 years of age, a tradesman, all living in Metzervisse.

Birth of Barbe Levy

On June 16, 1840, at 5 a.m., birth of Barbe Levy, a daughter of Leopold Levy, 35 years of age, a peddler, and of Catherine Boeles, his wife, 28 years of age, notified on the same day by Leopold Levy. Witnesses: Leman Benjamin Boeles, 74 years of age, and Samuel Lazard, 55 years of age, a livestock dealer, all living in Metzervisse.  [Note: Barbe Levy is also known as Phoebe Levy, who married Aaron Cerf.]

Birth of Fanny Levy

This registration is full of mistakes. It is for the birth of a daughter, but they mistakenly put the name of the father for the name of the child.  Also, the ages of the parents are wrong.  This must be the registration for Fanny.  Here is the translation [with the mistakes]:  On August 25, 1842, at 6 p.m., birth of Leopold Levy, a daughter of Leopold Levy, a grocer, 30 years of age, living in Metzervisse, and of Catherine Boeles, his wife, 34 years of age, notified on the same day by Leopold Levy, the father. Witnesses: Leman Benjamin Boeles, 72 years of age, and Borus Israel, 48 years of age, an innkeeper.

Birth of Mayer Levy

On October 8, 1844, at 5 a.m., birth of Mayer Levy, a son of Leopold Levy, 37 years of age, a grocer, and of Catherine Boeles, his wife, 32 years of age, notified on the same day by Leopold Levy. Witnesses: Georges Bolzinger, 49 years of age, an innkeeper, and Nicolas Guille, 32 years of age, a teacher, all living in Metzervisse.

Birth of Estelle Levy

On November 8, 1846, at 1 a.m., birth of Estelle Levy, a daughter of Leopold Levy, 34 years of age [?], a grocer, and of Catherine Boeles, his wife, 36 years of age, notified on the same day by Leopold Levy. Witnesses: Georges Bolzinger, 51 years of age, a laborer, and Jacques Bolzinger, 61 years of age, a weaver, all living in Metzervisse.

Birth of Sara Levy

On March 22, 1849, at 4 a.m., birth of Sara Levy, a daughter of Leopold Levy, 43 years of age, a grocer, and of Catherine Boeles, his wife, 36 years of age, notified on the same day by Leopold Levy. Witnesses: Israel Israel, the younger, 26 years of age, an innkeeper, and Nicolas Grausem, 68 years of age, a laborer, all living in Metzervisse.

Birth of Victoire Levy

On April 3, 1851, at 3 p.m., birth of Victoire Levy, a daughter of Leopold Levy, 46 years of age, a grocer, and of Fleurette Crehange, his wife, 29 years of age, notified by Leopold Levy on the same day. Witnesses: Jacques Bolzinger, 64 years of age, a weaver, and Nicolas Schneider, 27 years of age, a laborer, all living in Metzervisse.

Two Levy Property Sales in France

Over twenty years ago, I hired a researcher in France to locate where Phoebe Levy's family came from. Phoebe Levy was the wife of Aaron Cerf, and they married in California. All I knew is that the Levys came from the Alsace-Lorraine area of France, probably near Metz. People often say, however, they are from a large city, even if they really came from a village, because the city is more well known.

The researcher was lucky, finding two real estate sales in the archives of Metz that matched the name of the father, Leopold Levy, and the names of his children. The town where the property was located was Metzervisse, 25 kilometers north of Metz.

The first sale occurred in 1859, and it is reported in French.

A summary of the most important information given by the registration of the sale is that on April 13, 1859, Libmann, known as Leopold Levy, a grocer, living in Metzervisse, sells property in his name and answering for his seven children:

1. Emmanuel Levy, of age, a salesman, living in California.
2. Pauline Levy, of age, in service (a domestic), living in Paris.
3. Barbe Levy.
4. Fanny Levy.
5. Estelle Levy.
6. Mayer Levy.
7. Sarath Levy.

The five names of the youngest children were minors and living in Metzervisse. 

The price received for the property is 275 francs. The property is described as a vegetable garden situated in Metzervisse and belonging to him, and to his seven children as heirs of their late mother, Catherine Boeles [who died on September 20, 1849]. Also mentioned is that Leopold Levy has a new wife, Fleurette Crehange.

The first son is always named Emmanuel, though he changed his name to Emile after emigrating. There was no daughter named Phoebe, but she is the daughter named Barbe, which is French for Barbara. The researcher said the explanation was possibly that she was really called Phoebe by her family, which is more Jewish, but that name wouldn't have been accepted as a given name by the employees of the registration at birth.

The second sale, occurring in 1891, was reported in German and in a gothic script that is not very easy to read. Between 1870 and 1919, the departements of Moselle, Bas-Rhin and Haut-Rhin were German. Before 1870, many Jewish families emigrated to the United States because they were loyal to France and didn't want to live under German rule. In the new country, they often formed French social clubs. The 1891 sale shows the residences of the Levy children, who had all emigrated to the U.S. except for Sara.

A summary of the most important information given by the registration of the sale is that on December 28, 1891, Sara Levy, an unemployed woman, the separated wife of Sylvain Bonn, a tradesman living in San Francisco, she living in Metzervisse, sells property in her name and as a proxy of:

1. Emmanuel Levy, a tradesman in San Francisco.
2. Pauline Levy, the wife of Simon Abraham, a tradesman, living at 28 1/2 Washington St., Portland, Oregon.
3. Barbe Levy, the wife of Aron Cerf, a tradesman, living in Ukiah, Mendocino County, California.
4. Fanny Levy, the wife of David Lobree, living in Middletown, Lake County, California.
5. Mayer Levy, a tradesman living in San Francisco.
6. Estelle Levy, the wife of Leonce Loeb, a tradesman living in Sehome, Washington.
7. Victorine Levy, the wife of Leon Levy, a merchant, living at 1517 Webster St., San Francisco.

The property is sold for the price of 900 francs. It was originally purchased by their parents, Leopold Levy and Catherine Boeles, on January 20, 1836, from David Morhange and his wife, Madeleine Weil, of Metzervisse. [Leopold Levy died on February 26, 1890, in Metzervisse.]

Victorine is the daughter of Leopold Levy with his second wife. She was called Victoire at her birth on April 3, 1851.

Sara was married in Metzervisse on March 9, 1875, and her two children were born there in 1876 and 1878. U.S. records indicate that her husband and at least one of her sons emigrated just prior to the sale of this property. Sara stayed behind as the representative of the family for the property sale, and possibly she was also a caregiver for her elderly father prior to his death. Her father's second wife, Fleurette, died on July 1, 1874, at 50 years of age. She was the wife of Libmann Levy, 69 years of age, a grocer living in Metzervisse. [Fleurette was the daughter of the late Oury Crehange and the late Sara Fribourg.] After the property sale, Sara Levy Bonn went to the U.S.

The researcher told me he was only able to find the village and the correct family because they had made property sales, which were important enough to be indexed in the Metz archives. Otherwise, the only option would have been to search more than 700 towns, each one having its own books for registrations of births, marriages, and deaths. We were lucky.

References:

April 13, 1859, Register 429 Q 221, pages 2 (both sides) and 3, Direction des Services D'Archives, Departement de la Moselle, Hotel du Departement, 9 place de la Prefecture, Metz.

December 28, 1891, Register 429 Q 832, pages 176 to 179 (both sides) Direction des Services D'Archives, Departement de la Moselle, Hotel du Departement, 9 place de la Prefecture, Metz.

Various birth, marriage and death records from the registration book in Metzervisse, Moselle, Lorraine, France.

Boeles Family of the Netherlands

The last two blogs contained marriage licenses for two daughters of Leman Benjamin Boeles and Rachel Moyse Cerf, yielding the information that the father and daughters were born in the Netherlands. Let's take a look at what we know about this family and about the history of Jews in the Netherlands. Keep in mind that one of these daughters was the mother of Phoebe Barbe Levy, who married Aaron Cerf.

A few references exist showing Jews lived in the Netherlands as early as the 14th century. Many more Jews arrived in the late 16th century, refugees from persecutions of the Inquisitions in Spain and Portugal. The Alhambra decree of 1492 sent many Spanish Jews to Portugal. The Portuguese Inquisition began in 1536, causing many Jews to migrate elsewhere. In Amsterdam, an impressive Portuguese Synagogue was built in Amsterdam during the years 1671-1675, about 75 years after the first Jews arrived from Portugal.



Leman Benjamin Boeles, the oldest known ancestor from the Netherlands, was born about 1764 in Amsterdam. Research reveals that he was listed in the Netherlands Act of Assumed Names while living in Breda on July 1, 1812, showing his occupation as a teacher. Leman Benjamin Boeles's daughter, Catherine Boeles, was born on October 18, 1812, in Breda. There was no organized Jewish community in Breda prior to the Introduction of full civic equality in the Netherlands in 1796. It was noted, however, that a small Jewish community arose in Breda in the early 19th century. The Jewish population of Breda was 75 in 1809, 226 in 1840, and 168 in 1869.

Another daughter, Hester, was born on August 19, 1815, in Bergen-Op-Zoom. Research reveals that Jews settled in Bergen-Op-Zoom during the early years of the 18th century, after obtaining a parcel of land on the outskirts of the city in 1815 to be used as a cemetery. This was also the year they began construction on a synagogue. The Jewish population of Bergen-Op-Zoom went from 106 in 1806 to 206 in 1840, falling to 86 in 1869.

In 1817, Leman Benjamin Boeles appears in an archival document from Rotterdam, a city with a  large Jewish population equal to that of Amsterdam. Rotterdam history reveals the first merchant licenses to Jews were granted in 1610 to Portuguese Jewish merchants. The population of Rotterdam grew from 50 in 1674 to 2,500 in 1796 to 2,113 in 1809 to 2,823 in 1840 and to 5,297 in 1869.

Leman Benjamin Boeles's wife, Rachel Moyse Cerf, was born in Buding, France, about 1773. They were about ages 48 and 39 when their daughter, Catherine, was born. There may have been other children besides Catherine and Hester. I found an on-line reference to another daughter, Belia Boeles, born January 12, 1818, in a Dutch Jewish Genealogical Database. Although the children were born in the Netherlands, the family eventually moved to the region where the mother was born.  Their daughters were married in Metzervisse, France, and the parents died in Metzervisse. [Please note this Cerf line is not the same as the Phalsbourg Cerf line.]

References:

Archives of the Dutch Israelite Main Synagogue, http://stadsarchief.amsterdam.nl/archieven/archiefbank/inventaris/714.nl.html#A31775000002.

Dutch Jewish Genealogical Database, http://akevoth.org/genealogy/denbosch/1920.htm.

Jewish Historical Museum, http://www.jhm.nl/culture-and-history.

Map of Migrations and Settlements of the Spanish Jews, http://sephardicseminary.org/eshel_womans_sephardic_seminary_mission/eshel_womans_sephardic_seminary_sephardic_history/.

Siblings' 1839 Marriage Contract

On June 21, 1839, a wedding took place between the brother of Libman Levy and the sister of Catherine Boeles (the couple in the marriage contract of 1834 reported in the previous blog).  The brother was Gustave Isaac Levy and the sister was Hester Boeles.


This marriage contract is significant because it identifies Hester Boeles as being born in Bergen-op-Zoom in the District of Breda, Holland, whereas her sister's, Catherine's, marriage contract simply states Breda as her birthplace.


The marriage contract was registered in the town of Metzervisse, Moselle, France. Gustave Isaac Levy was born on December 16, 1793, in Uhrwiller, Bas Rhin, France, to Gustave Nemele Levy and Ester Isaac Schener. Hester Boeles was born on August 19, 1815, to Leman Benjamin Boeles and Rachel Moyse Cerf.


The bride and groom are the aunt and uncle of Phoebe Barbe Levy, the wife of Aaron Cerf.

Marriage contract, page 1

Marriage contract, page 2.  Arrow points to reference to Bergen-op-Zoom.

Marriage contract, page 3

1834 Levy-Boeles Marriage

On December 9, 1834, at 5:00 pm, Libman Levy (also known as Leopold Libman Levy) married Catherine Boeles. They were the parents of:

Julie Levy (1835-1836)
Emile Emmanuel Levy (1837-?)
Pauline Levy Abraham (1838-1917)
Phoebe Barbe Levy Cerf (1840-1916)
Fanny Levy Lobree (1842-1897)
Mayer Levy (1844-?)
Estelle Levy Lobe (1846-1929)
Sara Levy Bonn (1849-1919)

Marriage Contract page 1

Marriage Contract page 2

Details of the Marriage Contract


The groom, Libman Levy (also written Libmann Levi in the contract), was 29 years of age, born in Uhrwiller, canton of Niderbron (Niederbronn-Les-Bains), departement of Bas-Rhin, on September 20, 1805. He was a peddler living in Uhrwiller, son of age (legal age to marry) of Nemelee Levy, a peddler who died in Uhrwiller on January 18, 1833, who in 1808 changed his chosen name to the name of Gustave Levy, and of Ester Isaac Schener, his wife, 70 years of age, living in Uhrwiller, here present and consenting to the marriage.

The bride, Catherine Boeles, was born in Breda, Holland on October 18, 1812, living in Mezervisse. She was the daughter of age of Leman Benjamin Boeles, a teacher, 68 years of age, and of Rachel Moyse Cerf, 58 years of age, a couple living in Metzervisse, here present and consenting to the marriage.

Other details of the contract have not been translated. Send any translations to dawncerf [at] gmail.com.

Witnesses to the marriage

Thiebault Levy, a salesman, 35 years of age, living in Uhrwiller, a brother of the bridegroom.
Etienne Klein, a cabinetmaker, 48 years of age, a friend of the groom, living in Boulay.
____ Israel, 67 years of age, living in Metzervisse, a friend of the bride.
Cerf Cahen, a salesman, 30 years of age, living in Metzervisse, a friend of the bride.

The groom signs in both German and Gothic scripts.

1779 Marriage Contract

A marriage contract was signed on January 28, 1779. It states the marriage will take place on the same day. The groom is Moyse Salomon, son of Salomon Cerf, a Jew merchant in Phalsbourg, and Rosette Levy. The bride is Theipiet Heymann Merin [the last name is spelled differently on the last page and in other documents]. The bride's father was inadvertently omitted from the first page of the contract but put in on the last page. The first page of the contract states the bride is the daughter of the late Breinel Cerf.

The groom is listed on my genealogical tree as Moise Salomon Cerf and the bride as Pierrette Taib Heymann Levy (the name was taken from the 1808 Name Declaration). They are the grandparents of the Cerf immigrants, Aaron Cerf and cousins Moise and Ernest Cerf.

page one

page two

page three

page four

page five

page six

Moyse Salomon's signature at the end of the contract is written in German script and is the same as the first part of the signature of Moyse Salomon Cerf in the 1808 Name Declaration, proving that they are the same person.

The father of the bride signs Heyman Mehring in German script, even though his name is written Heymann Merin on the last page of the contract (see the circled part that begins after the "+" sign).

I do not have a translation of the marriage contract, but I am told that it consists exclusively of agreements about money. If anyone does translate this document, please email me at dawncerf [at] gmail.com.