Dor to Door - Greater Houston Jewish Genealogical Society

GREATER
HOUSTON
JEWISH
GENEALOGICAL
SOCIETY
HOUSTON,
TEXAS
Inside this issue:
Spring 2016
Jewish Genealogy - What to do with a Clue?
In 1951, Cantor Rubin Kaplan died in an automobile
Officers
2
Meeting Dates 2016
2
Membership Dues
2
Facebook & Website
3
Find-a-Grave
3
JewishGen
3
The Legal Genealogist Blog
3
Adath Israel
Cemetery
4
Cantor Kaplan’s
Family - cont. -
5
Zindler’s
6
Database of Shoah
Victims
7
Picturing Texans
7
Jewish Genealogy
Research Guide at
FamilySearch
7
Biographical
Gazettter
7
WWI Facts
7
Nurse Yetta Zalinsky
Nelson
8
First American
Jewish Families
8
In Memory of Mrs.
Gertrude Teter
9
GenealogyBank.com
9
Capt. Levy Harby
War of 1812 to the
Confederate Army
Dor to Door
10
crash caused by icy highways near Buffalo, Texas. He was
on his way home to Dallas after participating at a service in
Galveston to honor Rabbi Louis Felgon on his 20th Anniversary of service to that community.
In 1907, Kaplan immigrated from Russia to the United
States. He served three years as a cantor of Congregation
Beth Jacob in Galveston and then went to Houston where
he served as a cantor of Congregation Adath Yeshurun. In
1932, he moved to Dallas where he became the cantor of
Congregation Shearith Israel.
The obituary clue … "He was among the first singers from Texas to make recordings for the Victor Phonograph Company in 1921."
What to do with this clue? Where to find a copy of the recording? Who knew
about this? Lots of questions but few answers. No, the family had no information
nor did they have the recording. The Cantor Rubin Kaplan Memorial Library at
Congregation Beth Yeshurun had no information. Dead ends!
An on-line database, Discography of American Historical Recordings (DAHR)
at the University of California, Santa Barbara, includes information on more than
115,000 recordings made by Victor Records, Columbia Records and Berliner
Gramophone Co. < http://adp.library.ucsb.edu/ >
The database entry for Cantor Kaplan indicated two songs were recorded on
a 10-inch 78 rmp disk on 20 Jul 1920 in New York. Both were classified as male
tenor vocal solo in Hebrew, accompanied by organist, Nathaniel Shilkret. The
recordings were Av Horachmim (Father of Mercy) and M'loch (Melekh - Our
God, King of the Universe).
The librarian at DAHR stated the actual record was held by the Rodgers &
Hammerstein Archives of Recorded Sound, New York Public Library. This collection contains more than 700,000 items for virtually every aspect of recorded
sound. Cantor Kaplan’s record was donated through the Benedict Stambler Memorial Archive of Jewish Music & Theatre. < http://goo.gl/DbvAHl >
Danielle Cordovez, Reference Librarian of the Rodgers & Hammerstein Archives, confirmed the recording was in their collection and the cost to have it
digitized would be $60 total for both sides. She indicated the record would have
to be sent out for the digital copy to be made as the recording had never been
transferred into an electronic format. Yes, a check was in the mail the very same
day! Success - After a few more weeks of waiting, a CD arrived in the mail after
two years of following one clue.
- - cont. p. 5 - -
Page 2
Dor to Door
Officers
President
Evan Snyder
Vice President & Webmaster
Max Heffler
Secretary/Treasurer/Publicity
Milton Gugenheim
Mailing address:
5231 Jason
Houston, Texas 77096-1320
Meeting Dates - 2016
Dates:
Thursday - June 2nd
Thursday - September 1st
Thursday - December 1st
Time: 6:45 p.m.
Location:
Board Room
Seven Acres Jewish Senior Care
6200 North Braeswood Blvd.
Houston, Texas
Membership Dues
Individual: $18 per year
Family: $20 per year
If you reside over 100 miles from Houston, membership is $12 per
year.
Libraries & societies, membership is $12 per year.
Checks payable: GHJGS
Mailed to: Milton Gugenheim
(address above)
Visit Us on Facebook < https://goo.gl/8H9yry >
Visit Our Website < http://www.ghjgs.org/ >
Join Our Mailing List < https://goo.gl/ISx4eg >
Spring 2016
Page 3
What is Find-a-Grave? (FAG)
Volunteers find and record burial information (or other disposition) from around the world in a virtual cemetery. The
memorials can include photographs of the grave-marker
and/or individual, biography, obituary, other disposition, links
to parents, siblings, spouse, children, etc.
How do I join Find-a-Grave? It is FREE and all you need to join is an e-mail address and a password that is entered on the "New Member Page."
After you become a member, you can search, recommend edits, create and upload photographs.
What is JewishGen OnlineWorldwide Burial Registry?
< http://www.jewishgen.org/databases/Cemetery/ >
This is a searchable database that contains more
than 3-million names from 6,000 cemeteries worldwide and includes identifying information as well as
photos of the gravestones.
Submissions are accepted for an entire cemetery
through a data-file spreadsheet. They do not accept
individual one-at-a-time burial data.
Photos can be sent via e-mail, postal mail on a
CD / DVD or through Dropbox file-sharing.
You can search the database through the above
URL or Ancestry.com.
Genealogy Blog
< http://www.legalgenealogist.com/ >
Judy Russell writes an almost
daily blog on understanding today’s
and yesterday’s laws as it relates to
family history research.
Learning about the laws at the
time your ancestor lived can help
you to break through a brick-wall.
The blog is written in plain English so everyone can understand
the terms and concepts of how the
historical laws impacted the various
communities where your family
lived.
You can visit her website to read
back issues or subscribe to receive
her blog free of charge.
She will be speaking at the Texas
State Genealogical Soc. Conference in Oct. 2016
Page 4
Dor to Door
Jewish Cemeteries in Houston
Adath Emeth Cemetery - 4714 Airline Dr.
The cemetery's front gate entrance is located in the 1400 Block of
Sylvester Street. The cemetery's back gate is located in the 1400 Block
of North Loop East and this address is used by the Harris County Appraisal District. Note: The back gate is kept locked.
On 14 Feb 1910, Congregation Adath Emeth was chartered by the Texas Secretary of
State as a domestic non-profit corporation. In the mid-1960s three small congregations,
Adath Emeth, Beth Jacob and Adath Israel merged to form the United Orthodox Synagogue
(UOS), which was incorporated on 17 Nov 1965 by the Texas Secretary of State as a domestic non-profit corporation. The UOS then assumed responsibility for the Adath Emeth
Cemetery and Adath Israel Cemetery.
Founders: Hertz Wilkenfeld, Ruben Dow, Rabbi Max Goodman
The oldest gravemarker is for Simon Weiner who died on 14 Apr 1919 and was buried
about 40-days after the land for the cemetery was originally purchased. However, there is
no Texas Death Certificate or obituary found for this death. The next early burial found is
Morris Dow who died on 3 May 1920 and was buried the next day. Mr. Dow was a tailor and
was born ca. 1862 in Russia.
In Apr 2003, as part of his Eagle Scout Project, Michael Rosenthal, Boy Scout Troup
806, planted trees in the cemetery.
In May 2010, the cemetery received a Historic Texas Cemetery Designation from the
Texas Historical Commission.
Historically significant burials: Rabbi Hyman Goodman Bursetown, Rabbi for Congregation Adath Emeth,
age 45, dropped dead while preaching the Sabbath services; Rabbi Jacob M. Danziger; Rabbi Myer Epstein,
Rabbi & Cantor for Congregation Adath Emeth, 19131923; Rabbi Max Goodman; Rabbi Morris Goodman;
Rabbi Sol Goodman; Rabbi Henry Jacob Hillel Yacov
Horowitz; Rabbi Jacob Juran.
You can find a list of burials at Find-a-Grave
< http://goo.gl/0W2Oub >
Texas Jewish Cemeteries with Historic Texas Cemetery Designations
Adath Emeth Cemetery - Harris County
Adath Israel Cemetery - Harris County
Beth Israel Cemetery - W. Dallas - Harris County
Beth Yeshurun Cemetery - Allen Parkway - Harris County
Beth Yeshurun Cemetery - Post Oak - Harris County
Jewish Cemetery - Milam County
Jewish Cemetery - Gonzales County
Spring 2016
Page 5
Cantor Rubin Kaplan
Cantor Rubin (Reuven) Kaplan was born on 15 Aug 1888 in Russia. He was the son of Samuel
(Schmuel) Caplan (Capuchevsky) and Rebecca (Rivi) Rabinowitz (Ovzerovitch). In Mar 1950, his
parents died in Houston, just three days apart at age 92 years. His five siblings included: Freda
(Fradel) Caplan Caplan (Mrs. L. Maurice); Rose (Ruthke) Caplan Wanger; Oscar (Asher) Caplan;
Louis (Label) Caplan; Minnie Caplan Herskovitz (Mrs. Morris).
Samuel emigrated to the United States from Bremen, Germany on 27 Sept 1904 and arrived at
the Port of Galveston on 21 Oct 1904 (per Naturalization). However, he is found as Schmuel Kapschewsky, on the Texas Passenger Lists arriving on 29 Sept 1904 at the Port of Galveston from Bremen, Germany aboard the SS Hannover. The passenger roll states he is a tailor and he will be going
to his son-in-law, M. Caplan Buguran living at 1010 Preston St., Houston.
In Jul 1917, Sam received his citizenship and at the same time, his name is legally changed from
Samuel Capuchessky to Sam Caplan (Houston Chronicle, 3 July 1917, p. 5, c. 4)
Rubin arrived at Galveston on 10 Dec 1906 from the Port of Bremen, Germany aboard the SS
Frankfurt.
In about 1906, probably in Russia, he married Rosa/Rose Fivehovitz (Fiveshavitz) and they had
four children: Pearl Kaplan Abramson (Mrs. Albert); Bessie Kaplan Finger (Mrs. Hyman E.); Morris
Kaplan and Dr. Harry Leland/Leon Kaplan.
He appears on the 1910 Federal Census in Galveston, Galveston Co., TX and the 1920 and 1930
Federal Censuses in Houston, Harris Co., TX.
On 5 Jun 1917, Kaplan registered in the World War I Draft in Houston and stated he was a naturalized citizen born in Minsk, Russia. In 1942, he registered in the World War II Draft in Dallas.
His wife was the daughter of Joseph Fivehovitz and Esther (unknown maiden). Rubin died in an
automobile accident on 29 Jan 1951 and is buried with his wife in the Beth Yeshurun Cemetery
(Allen Parkway) in Houston (FAG 126423476)
Caplan / Kaplan Family
ca. 1916 - Houston
[Top L-R] Morris Wanger; Rose
Dow Caplan with son Arnold
Caplan; Louis Caplan; Minnie
Caplan Herskovitz; Cantor
Rubin Kaplan; Razel Caplan
[Middle L-R] Rose Caplan
Wanger; Sadie Caplan; Oscar
Caplan; Samuel Caplan;
Rebecca Rabinowitz Caplan;
Lazer Michel Caplan (Rachel
on lap); Bessie Kaplan Finger
[Front L-R] Harry Wanger;
Janet Caplan Stein; Maurice
Caplan; Bessie Caplan Wilk (no
face); Pearl Kaplan Abramson;
Morris Kaplan
Page 6
Dor to Door
Zindler’s - ca. 1920s
Zindler’s clothing store was
located in the 1000 block of
Congress & Fannin near the
Courthouse Square in downtown Houston. In 1892, Ben
Zindler opened the business
and his son Abe took charge
of the store in 1908. Zindler
was still active in its affairs
when he died in 1963. Growing up, Abe's son Marvin,
would work at the store until
he followed other pursuits in
journalism and law enforcement.
Over the years, the downtown store would close as
additional stores would open
in the suburbs. By 2000, a
remaining store on Post Oak
Blvd. quietly closed, bringing
an end to the longtime family
Ben was born on 25 Apr 1864 in Austria and died on 13 Apr 1908 in Houston. In about 1884 in Austria, he married Ida Mae Ost, who was born on 12 Aug 1862 in Austria. The couple had seven children:
Abraham Bernhardt "Abe" Zindler, Sr.; Minnie Zindler; Ruby "Rubbie" Zindller; Rosetta Zindler; Mitchell
Gustave Zindler; Leo Harold Zindler; and, Jerome I. Zindler.
Ben died on 13 Apr 1908 and Ida died on 27 Oct 1922 and both are buried at Beth Israel Cemetery
in Houston. (FAG 157319746 & FAG 157319790)
On 14 Aug 1922, the Houston City Council changed 2nd Street to Zindler Street.
1. Abe was born on 10 Apr 1885 in Austria. On 12 Sept 1912 in Alexandria, LA, he married Udith
Mayer, who was born on 29 Oct 1893 in that same community. Between 1936 and 1942, Abe served
three terms as the Mayor of the City of Bellaire and served eight years on the City Council. The couple
had one daughter and five sons. Abe died on 28 Jan 1963 and Udith died on 23 Nov 1957. They are
both interred in the Mausoleum at Beth Israel Cemetery.
2. Minnie was born on 12 Aug 1889 in Austria and married Benjamin S. Finger. She died on 29 Jan
1957 and was buried at Beth Israel Cemetery.
3. Ruby was born in Mar 1895 in Houston and died ca. 1907 (age 12) in Houston. She is buried at
Beth Israel Cemetery.
4. Rosetta was born 23 Jan 1896 in Houston and married Sam S. Slater. She died on 19 Jan 1994
and Sam died on 21 Dec 1964. They are both interred in the Mausoleum at Beth Israel Cemetery.
5. Mitchell was born on 3 Aug 1898 on Houston and married Dorothy Carrolle Meyer. He died on 4
Apr 1966 and was interred in the Mausoleum at Beth Israel Cemetery. They had two children.
6. Leo was born on 2 Jul 1900 in Houston and died in Jun 1968 in Harrisonburg, VA and was buried
there. He was married to Emma Pauline Ney. They had two children.
7. Jerome was born on 28 Jul 1902 in Houston and died on 11 Apr 1989 in Memphis, TN and was
buried there.
Spring 2016
Page 7
Central Database of Shoah Victims’ Names
The World Holocaust Remembrance Center has placed online a database of the names and biographical details of millions of victims during the Holocaust (Shoah). Commemorated in the database are
4.5 million of the 6 million Jews who were murdered by the Nazis.
< http://yvng.yadvashem.org/ >
Picturing Texans by David Haynes
This book is online at The Portal to Texas History and is an index to portraits and photographs showing recognizable individuals published in Texas historical and genealogy references (mug books) published before 1941. The names are in surname alphabetical order with the source citation when the
image can be located.
< http://goo.gl/JdLj2r >
Jewish Genealogy Research Guide at FamilySearch
Did you know that Jews are the oldest group with their national identity and cultural heritage intact?
The Ethnic Divisions of Judaism: Ashkenazi, Sephardic, Romaniote, Mizrahi, Marrano & Crypto-Jews
These are just a few facts as well as links found at this free online research guide at:
< https://goo.gl/eTNvuB >
A more in-depth 55-page Jewish Genealogy Research Outline is available free in a .pdf file format at:
< https://goo.gl/hHiYPN >
Biographical Gazetteer
This database indexes almost 200 biographies, journals, reference volumes and historical and genealogy references (mug books). It is searchable by last name and first name. When you find the individual you are seeking, the title and page number of the book is given.
< http://goo.gl/f9mqIq >
WWI Facts
During World War I, about 250,000 Jewish soldiers served in the U.S. military. About 3,500 were killed
-in-action or died-of-wounds. Jewish soldiers/sailors, made up 3% of the U.S. population, contributed
5% of the entire death roll of the U.S. Army. The number of Jews wounded-in-action was estimated at
12,000.
Page 8
Dor to Door
Yetta Zalinsky Nelson - World War I Nurse
During World War I, Yetta Zalinsky served as a Nurse in the U.S. Army Nurse Corps. She was one of
the almost 600 WWI women veterans whose home of record was Texas. To date, she is one of two
known Jewish WWI women veterans who served with a Home of Record as Texas.
Yetta was born on 12 Feb 1897 (per death certificate) in Russia and was the daughter of Pasach
"Paul/Phillip" Zalinsky & Clara Glumbrtsky. In 1926, her father died in San Antonio, Bexar Co., TX
(FAG #90582361).
She had several siblings: sisters, Mrs. J. Drazin (given name unknown) (remained in Poland); Cyrel
(Cywia) Zalinsky Cohen (Mrs. Alexander "Al") (nurse); Sylvia Hannah Zalinsky Corona (Mrs. Marcus/
Mordechai) (nurse) (Mexico City, Mexico); Ruth Zalinsky (Erucalimsky) Sikora (Mrs. Joseph "Joe");
brothers, Felix/Falek Erusalimsky (Buenos Aires, Argentina & Rio De Janeiro, Brazil), Jacob "Jake"
Zalinsky / Zalim (FAG #90519371) and Shaja Erusalimsky (remained in Poland).
According to the 1920 Federal Census, San Antonio, Bexar Co., TX, the family
immigrated to the United States in 1911. Her father’s occupation is listed as dry
goods peddler and she is a trained nurse.
A Declaration of Intention for Citizenship was filed in Aug 1918 in the U.S. District Court at San Antonio and she listed her name as Yenta Eruzulinsky and that
she is now know as: Yetta Zalinsky. She stated she was born on 12 Feb 1887 in
Astrino, Russia and that she arrived at Galveston on 18 Sep 1912 (or 15 Aug
1912) aboard the SS Breslau.
On 6 Nov 1918, Yetta enlisted in the
U.S. Army Nurse Corps and was discharged on 15 Jun 1919. She was assigned to the Base Hospital at Fort Sam
Yetta - ca. 1947
Houston (San Antonio).
She married Albert O. Nelson on 15
Mar 1923 in San Antonio, Bexar Co., TX. Their children included: Jewel Rae Nelson Brownstein (Mrs. Julius R.),
Jacqueline Nora "Jacky Lynne" Nelson & Phillip Nelson.
Yetta died on 12 Apr 1979 in San Antonio and her body
was donated to the State Anatomical Board at the University
of Texas Heal Science Center. Her cremated remains were
later interred in the Hebrew Rest Cemetery in Corpus Christ,
Nueces Co., TX. (FAG #21778911)
On 4 Aug 1933, Albert was in an automobile crash at
Weslaco and died a few hours later at McAllen, TX. (FAG
#21778909). Per his Texas Death Certificate, his parent’s
were Jacob Kocenelson & Dora Robinowitz.
Yetta - Nurses Uniform ca. 1917-1918
Spring 2016
Page 9
In Memory of
Gertrude Frances Moskowitz Teter
On 12 Mar 2016, Mrs. Teter passed away at her home in Baytown, Harris Co., TX.
She and her beloved husband, Donald Lee "Don" Teter were known by many for the
book they co-authored, Texas Jewish Burials (Baytown, TX: Texas Jewish Historical
Soc., 1997, 448 pages)
She was born on 12 Dec 1924 in Port Arthur, Jefferson Co., TX . Her parents were
the late Joe Eugene Moskowitz & Blanch Lowenberg. Her father served as a Horseshoer, U.S. Army,
World War I. Her siblings include: Alfred Moskowitz (U.S. Navy, World War II), Benjamin Morris
"Benny" Moskowitz, Dolly Ruth Moskowitz Golden (Mrs. Ed).
After graduating from Lee High School in Baytown in 1941 as the Class Valedictorian at age 16, she
went on to receive Associate’s degree from Lee College in Baytown. In 1945, she received a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from the Univ. of Texas-Austin and a Master’s degree in counseling from
the Univ. of Houston. She worked as a counselor at Lee College until retirement in 1987.
She and Don were married in 1948 and enjoyed an amazing life together until his death in 2012.
Don served in the U.S. Navy.
Their children: Joan Elaine Teter Linares (Mrs. Ruben) and the late Barbara Elyse Teter. Their
grandchildren: Jamie Erin Linares Alexander (Mrs. Ben), Leah Renee Linares Abbate (Mrs. Clinton),
Alyssa Lauren Linares.
Mrs. Teter was buried next to Don at the Emanu El Memorial Park Cemetery in Houston, Harris Co.,
TX. (FAG # 159483358)
< http://www.genealogybank.com/ >
Popular Jewish American newspapers easily searchable at GenealogyBank.com include:
Jewish Chronicle, Jewish Daily News, Jewish Journal, Jewish Morning Journal, Atlanta Jewish
Times, Detroit Jewish News, Jewish Journal of Greater Los Angeles, Jewish Star, Jewish Times
and the Washington Jewish Week.
Family History:
To facilitate
the mitzvah to
″Honor thy
father and thy
mother.″
Trace your Jewish ancestry back to early America online with obituaries, birth
notices, wedding announcements, local news stories and more from the convenience of your home computer. GenealogyBank.com has over 6,500 U.S.
newspapers, plus thousands of historical documents and books provide extensive coverage of the day-to-day lives of your Jewish ancestors from the
1600s to today.
Begin tracing your genealogy in popular Jewish American newspapers and
historical publications from across the United States to uncover the stories of
your family’s past today!
GREATER
HOUSTON
JEWISH
GENEALOGICAL
SOCIETY
HOUSTON,
TEXAS
Mailing Address:
Milton Gugenheim
Secretary/Treasurer
5231 Jason
Houston, Texas
77096-1320
Page 10
Capt. Levy Harby - A Man of the Sea
Levi Charles Meyers Harby was an adventurous man,
always on the move. He was born in Georgetown, SC,
became a Midshipman in the U.S. Navy; veteran and
Prisoner of War during the War of 1812; he served the
Navy of the Republic of Texas; a Captain in the U.S. Revenue Service; a Major in the Confederate Army; and, was
a husband, a father, a brother, a son and Jewish.
The was the son of Solomon Harby and Rebecca Moses. Siblings: Isaac Harby; Rachael Harby (Mrs. Abraham
Cohen); Samuel De Costa Harby; George Washington
Harby; Henry Jefferson Harby, Sr.; and, Caroline de Litchfield Harby.
On 12 Jan 1836 at New Orleans, James W. Breedlove,
Collector of Customs, sends a letter to Levi Woodbury, Sec. of the Treasury:
"Sir, I am informed by Capt. Green of the Cutter Dallas, that first
Lieutenant L. Harby has not reported for duty on board that vessel. I am further informed that Lieut. Harby has gone to Texas, in
what capacity or for what object, I am totally ignorant, as he made
no communication, verbal or written to this officer."
He was affiliated with the Brutus (Texas Navy) after its purchase by Augustus
Chapman Allen in New Orleans in 1835 and sailed with the schooner to Texas
in early 1836.
On 31 Jan 1842, in St. Mary's, Camden Co., GA, Levi (age 48) married Leonora Rebecca DeLyon (age 18), daughter of Judge Levi Sheftall De Lyon and
Leonora de la Maotta. The Harby’s children: Henry "Harry" J. Harby; Rebecca
Sarah Harby; and, Jacob de la Motte Harby.
Leonora becomes well-known as a Jewish scholar and set-up the first Jewish
Sunday School in Texas and founded the Ladies Hebrew Benevolent Society of
Galveston.
On 10 Jan 1861, as Captain of the U.S. Revenue Service Cutter Henry
Dodge, he tendered his resignation at New Orleans.
On the morning of 31 Dec 1862 / 1 Jan 1863, Captain Harby and Lieutenant
Harvey Clark commanded two 24-pounder howitzers and an artillery company
aboard the CSS Neptune in Galveston Bay during the attack on the USS Harriet Lane and the re-taking of the City of Galveston.
On 3 Dec 1870, Captain Harby died in Galveston and was buried in the Hebrew Benevolent Society Cemetery.
On 26 Apr 1879, in Galveston, Leonora married Dr. Edward Randall.
Leonora died on 2 Nov 1888, in Galveston and was buried in the Hebrew Benevolent Society Cemetery next to Capt. Harby.