We propose, at this time, to present evidence disclosing what the conspirators intended to do with conquered territories, called by them “Lebensraum”, after they had succeeded in overpower[ing] the victims of their aggressions.[i]
Transcript of the Nuremberg Trials
Occupation
“Lebensraum,” translates roughly to “living space,” which the Nazi’s intended to gain through exploitation then Germanisation. In the exploitation phase, the Nazis would use the people and material resources to strengthen the Nazi “War Machine.” Then they intended to create islands of German settlement. Finally, they planned on creating room for themselves through the deportation of Jews, members of the Polish intelligentsia and other non-compliant elements.[ii] This plan was documented and signed by Hitler, Lammers, Goering, Frick and Hess.
The occupation of Poland was brutal, especially to its Jewish citizens. Immediately upon occupation the Nazi’s destroyed the synagogues in Zdunska Wola, and Pabianice. While in Łask German soldiers came to the synagogue and shot the beadle (assistant to the Rabbi) and converted it to a slaughterhouse for horses. One Rabi tried to hide the sacred items from the synagogue, but the tortured both him and his wife until the location was disclosed. [iii] [iv] [v] [vi]
Synagogues were not the only target. Across Poland, the Nazi’s registered all Jewish property, froze their bank accounts and confiscated their businesses.[vii] In Łask the wealthiest Jews were forced to pay tribute to the Nazis[viii] while in Pabianice several Jews were ordered flogged for “disrespect to the Nazi flag.”[ix] To ensure proper identification, all Jews were required to wear an armband with the Star of David on it.
The Pabianice Ghetto
In 1940 across Poland, Jews were forced into small ghettos. In February 1940, one of the first ghettos was established in Pabianice. It contained merely 109 houses located in the old town section. Every Jew in Pabianice (~8000) was forced into the ghetto squeezing one family to a room.[x] [xi]Among these 8000 Jews, were approximately 50 of our Levin and Olej relatives.[1] [xii] [xiii] [xiv] [xv] [xvi] [xvii] [xviii] [xix]
Due to extreme overcrowding, they were subject to poor sanitation resulting in a typhus outbreak. It is not clear if any of our relatives were infected. However, those that survived were then forced into compulsory labor, mostly as tailors. Failure to show up meant risking arrest by the Jewish Police and imprisonment.[xx]
These conditions may be why Benyamin Levin’s wife Chaja Sura Heliszowska died on the first of November 1940.[xxi] It is believed that Benyamin was in the Pabianice Ghetto with her, however there is no record for him or their two sons, Hershel and Yankle. It is presumed that they were murdered, in the Pabianice Ghetto.
Benyamin’s half-brother, Jakob Levin, his wife Pesa Cycanowicz and their children Estera and Chana were all forced into the Pabianice Ghetto, likely with their son Hersz, who is presumed murdered in the ghetto.[xxii] [xxiii] [xxiv]
Their other brother, Lajb’s fate is not known, and he may have predeceased the invasion having been born in 1876. His daughter, Hinda Levin, was forced into the Pabianice Ghetto with her sisters, Fajga Janowska (Levin) and Branda Cwiling (Levin). .[2] [xxv] [xxvi] [xxvii] The fate of their husbands (Binem Fuks, Zalma Cwiling and Gedalje Chaskiel Janowski) is not known. Neither is the fate of Hinda’s and Binem’s son Mordka. It is presumed that they perished in the Pabianice Ghetto.
As stated, Zisa Rajzla Levin’s husband Abram Mordka Edelshtein died during the invasion. There is little evidence for Zisa Rajzla or her son Hersz, they are presumed murdered in the Pabianice Ghetto.
Zisa Rajzla’s son, Chaim Luzer Edelshtein,[xxviii] and his wife Estera Nacha Heliszkowska (daughter of Fajga Levin), were in Pabianice and were also forced into Ghetto with their daughter Fajga Edelshtein. Chaim and Fajga will be discussed later, but there are no records for Estera Nacha, who is presumed murdered in the Pabianice Ghetto.[3] The fate of Zisa Rajzla,[xxix] and her children, Nacha, Masha, Jakob, Chaia, Hannah, Wolf, and Dewora is not known. It is possible that they perished in the Pabianice Ghetto. [xxx] [xxxi] [xxxii] [xxxiii] [xxxiv] [xxxv] [xxxvi]
It is not known what happened to Fajga Levin, Estera Nacha Helszkowska’s mother, or her other children, Kalman, Hersz and Mordichi Leon Heliszkowski. They are presumed murdered in the Pabianice Ghetto.
Machel Olej, son of Yosef Olej, passed prior to the Nazi invasion. However, his wife Chaia and two daughters, Rifka and Masha, were living in Pabianice and therefore were forced into the Ghetto.[xxxvii] [xxxviii] [xxxix][xl]
The Łódź ghetto
“The whole ghetto was designed, actually, to starve the people out.”
—Leo Schneiderman resident of the Łódź Ghetto
The Łódź ghetto was established in February 1940 in the northeastern section of the city of Łódź. It was one of the largest ghettos with around 160,000 Jewish imprisoned within. Among the 160,000 were many of Avram Moshe Olej’s and Moshe Yosef Levin’s descendants.
Given that Łódź specialized on textiles, the Ghetto became a major production center for the Germany. Factories were established and Jews were forced to work for little to no pay. Conditions were terrible in all Ghettos, and Łódź was no exception. There was no running water or sewage. Food rations were at starvation level.[xli] Over 20% of the Ghetto’s population died due to these conditions.[xlii]
Avram Moshe Olej’s descendants:
Mordka Wolf Olej, his wife Brajdla, and their daughters Estera Malka and Rajzla were living in Łódź and therefore were forced into the Ghetto. It is likely that Estera’s sons, Machel and Isaac went in with her as well.[xliii] [xliv] Mordka, Brajdla and Rajzla Olej lived on 15 Franz Strasse, Flat 19. Also recorded in that same flat were Genia Olej (born 1910)[xlv] and Abram Josek Olej (born 1938).[xlvi] It is not certain exactly who they were, but the author suspects that Morka and Brajdla had a son who married Genia and then they had a son Abram Josek. Demonstrating how hard life was in that Ghetto, by 28 December 1940, Mordka Wolf Olej died at the age of 64. He had only been in the Ghetto for 9 months.[xlvii]
Through all this horror, there was one event worth celebrating. On the 24th of April 1941, Mordka and Brajdla’s daughter Rajzla Olej, married Nusen Nuta Rozenbaum in the Ghetto.[xlviii] [xlix]
Mordka’s Brother, Aharon Mayer likely passed well before the German invasion of Poland. However, he had several children in Poland when Hitler invaded. His daughter, Shayna Rashel. Married Shymon Horonczyk had seven children, Szyja, Bajla, Jakob, Dwojra, Lipman, Szlama and Glika. All their children (except Glika who died as an infant) and many of their grandchildren were living in or near Łódź. Most were on Drewnowska Street in Łódź, which became Holz Strasse in the Ghetto after the invasion.[l] [li] [lii]
Regarding Shana’s children, Szyja Horonczyk, his wife Estera and their children appeared to have lived on Drewnowska Street as well.[liii] [liv] [lv] Szyja’s siblings, Jakob and his family (wife Rywka and children: Chana Dwojra, Izrael Mosze, Luba and Aron Meir) were living in Zeromski Street which was not part of the Ghetto and therefore were moved on to Holz Strasse like his siblings.[lvi] Two other brothers, Lipman and Szlama were also moved into the Ghetto from their homes in Łódź.[lvii] Bajla Dyna and Dwojra Horonczyk were living with their parents as was Tobcia Horonczyk (born 1935), it is not known exactly how she relates.
Another son of Aharon Mayer, Szyja “Shio” Olej’s fate is not known, he may have predeceased the invasion. However, his wife, Marien Wajc, and his granddaughter Ruchla[4] lived on Moltke Street in Łódź at the time of the German invasion and, therefore, ended up in the Ghetto.[lviii] [lix] It is not clear where Shio and Marien’s children, Jermia Moszek and Szymon were at that time. It is possible that they were all together in the Łódź Ghetto. However, their fates remain unknown, they are presumed murdered in the Holocaust.
There are no records for the rest of Aharon Mayer’s children who are presumed murdered. They were: Glika Rouchel (and her large family), Shimoo, and Machal. It is possible that they were pushed into the Łask Ghetto where they perished.
Mordka Wolf’s other brother, Machel Olej also passed prior to the invasion. The fate of most of his children is not known. They were Shio, Ichack, Yacov (including his wife Cypora, and their son Machel), and Mackla. It is possible that they went into the Łask Ghetto, where they perished.
Machel’s daughter, Chaja Bina was living in Łódź on Gdanska street when Germany invaded. Married to Lajb Falke they had three children, Mackla, Rivka and Baijla. They were all forced into the Ghetto at Hanseaten Strasse 72.[lx]
It is not known if any other of our relatives entered the Łódź Ghetto, upon formation. Though it is possible that Sara Gerszon, daughter of Rifka Olej and her husband Hershel Gerszon, did.[5] If so, on the 12th of March 1941, they were among the more than 1,000 Jews from the Konin district deported to Izbica.[lxi] If this was indeed Rifka’s daughter it is possible that her other children, Michael, Ester and Baila were there as well. Those sent to Izbica faced horrible conditions and later were deported to the Belzec and Dobibor death camps.
Finally, there is Isaac’s daughter, Devora Olej. She married Yiol (Judel) Klein and they had a son named Isaac. They made it to the USA but returned for unknown reasons in 1938. Her fate is also unknown, though family lore states that she fled to Bialystok where she perished. All are presumed murdered in the Holocaust.
Moshe Yosef Levin’s descendants:
Shlomo Mendel Levin, son of Moshe Yosef Levin, and his Ajdla Laja had six children, Estera Masza, Szfra (died as an infant),[lxii] [lxiii] Malka Hinda,[lxiv] Symcha Binem,[lxv] Fajga Fradel,[lxvi] and Mariem.[lxvii] All were born in Pabiance and at some point they moved to Łódź.
Piotrkowska Street was the main street in Łódź. During the invasion Shlomo, Ajdla and at least two of their children, Fajga and Symcha, lived there. After Łódź fell, the street was renamed Adolf Hitler Strasse. Jews were forbidden from walking on or trading on that street. Shlomo, his family and all other Jews on that street were evicted and sent to the Ghetto in February 1940.[lxviii]
Shlomo and Ajdla’s daughter, Estera Masza Levin married Gedalie Josef Szwarc from Łódź on the 3rd of May 1934.[lxix] They had four children, Frajda, Saul Fajwisz, Rojza and Trana. All ended up in the Łódź Ghetto.[lxx] [lxxi] [lxxii] [lxxiii] [lxxiv] [lxxv]
Shlomo and Ajdla’s other daugther, Malka Hinda, married Chaskiel Szmul Goldszmit in Łódź in 1938.[lxxvi] On the 25th of October they had Lajb Mosze Goldszmit. It is not confirmed where they lived, but all three ended up in the Łódź Ghetto and likely entered in February 1940.[lxxvii] [lxxviii] [lxxix] Shlomo and Ajdla’s son, Symcha Binem Levin, likely due to the horrible conditions, died on the 22nd of June 1941, he was only 28 years of age.[lxxx] The fate of their other daughter Mariem Levin remains a mystery, she is presumed murdered.
Though she was born in Pabianice, Masza Levin, daughter of Benyamin Levin was living in Łódź in 1939 on Skladowa 33. She married Izrael Majer Perlowicz and they had two sons, Abram David and Lajb. Also living with them was her mother-in-law, Briene Perlowicz.[lxxxi] [lxxxii] On the 13th of July 1940, Lajb Perlowicz died at the age of one, likely due to the horrific conditions in the Łódź Ghetto.[lxxxiii]
[1] Documentation has been found listing the following families in the Łódź Ghetto. In the documentation it states that they came from Pabianice, likely after the Pabianice Ghetto was liquidated. They were: Jacob Levin, his wife Pesa and their daughter Estera. It is hot known if their other children were with them as well. Hinda Levin (Fuks), daughter of Lajb was also recorded in Łódź coming from Pabiance, possibly indicating her children, her siblings, and their children, were there as well. She shows up at the same address in Łódź as her sister Branda Levin (Cwiling) and Fajga Levin (Janowski), 24 Muhlgasse, they will be discussed in chapter 14. Zisa Rajzla’s husband (discussed above) passed shortly after the invasion in Pabianice. This indicates they and their family were in the Pabiance Ghetto. Benyamin Levin’s wife Chaja Sura Heliszkowsak died in November in the Pabianice Ghetto, indicating that Benyamin and their family were there as well. It is not known for sure if Frajda’s children were Pabianice or not. Machel Olej, son of Yosef passed prior to the invasion, but his wife Chaia and their children were recorded as going to the Łódź Ghetto from Pabianice. It is not known where Yosef’s daughter Bella Olej, and her husband Jacob Ika ended up.
[2] It is assumed that they moved together as it is more likely that the scribe left off Pabianice for Fajga and Branda than they reunited on Muhl 24.
[3] There are no records for those who died in the Pabianice Ghetto.
[4] It is not known if Ruchla, born 1918, was the daughter of Jermia or Szymon
[5] The Sara Gerszon being discussed may not be our relative, as there was likely more than one Sara Gerszons.
[i] HLS Nuremberg Trails Project, “Transcript for IMT: Trial of Major War Criminals, pg 1510, available online at (Nuremberg – Transcript Viewer – Transcript for IMT: Trial of Major War Criminals).
[ii] IBID
[iii] Project Muse, “The United States Holocaust Memorial Museum Encyclopedia of Camps and Ghettos, 1933-1945, Volume II: Ghettos in German-Occupied Eastern Europe, Pabianice, description of the Nazi invasion and establishment of the Ghetto, available online at: https://muse.jhu.edu/document/2409/
[iv] Jewish Gen, Encyclopedia of Jewish Communities in Poland, Volume 1, translation of “Zdunska Wola” chapter from Pinkas Hakehillot Polin (Yad Vashem, Jerusalem), description of the Nazi invasion and establishment of the Ghetto, Available online at: Pinkas Hakehillot Polin: Zdunska Wola, Poland
[v] Project Muse, “The United States Holocaust Memorial Museum Encyclopedia of Camps and Ghettos, 1933-1945, Volume II: Ghettos in German-Occupied Eastern Europe, ŁASK, description of the Nazi invasion and establishment of the Ghetto, available online at: Project MUSE – ŁASK
[vi] Jewish Gen, KehilaLinks, ŁASK 1939 – 1945, available on-line at: Lask 1939-1945
[vii] Emmanuel Ringelblum, “The Journal of Emmanuel Ringelblum,” translated and edited by Jacob Sloan, (Pickle Partners Publishing, 2015), Kindle edition, pg. 12 of 421.
[viii] Jewish Gen, KehilaLinks, ŁASK 1939 – 1945, available on-line at: Lask 1939-1945
[ix] Project Muse, “The United States Holocaust Memorial Museum Encyclopedia of Camps and Ghettos, 1933-1945, Volume II: Ghettos in German-Occupied Eastern Europe, Pabianice, description of the Nazi invasion and establishment of the Ghetto, available online at: https://muse.jhu.edu/document/2409/
[x] IBID
[xi] United States Holocaust Memoria Museum, “Holocaust Encyclopedi, Lodz,”, history and conditions of the Ghetto, available online at: https://encyclopedia.ushmm.org/content/en/article/lodz
[xii] “East Europe, Registers and Listings from Ten Jewish Ghettos, 1939-1942”, database at Ancestry.com, provided by: JewishGen.org Volunteers, comp. East Europe, Registers and Listings from Ten Jewish Ghettos, 1939-1942,(East Europe, Registers and Listings from Ten Jewish Ghettos, 1939-1942 – Ancestry.com: accessed 14 Dec 2025), Jacob Lewin, from: Pabianice, Location: 17 Flat 10 Franz Strasse (Lodz Ghetto).
[xiii] “East Europe, Registers and Listings from Ten Jewish Ghettos, 1939-1942”, database at Ancestry.com, provided by: JewishGen.org Volunteers, comp. East Europe, Registers and Listings from Ten Jewish Ghettos, 1939-1942,(East Europe, Registers and Listings from Ten Jewish Ghettos, 1939-1942 – Ancestry.com: accessed 14 Dec 2025), Pesa Lewin (Cycanowicz), Move Date: 15 Oct 1942, from: Pabianice, Location: 17 Flat 10 Franz Strasse (Lodz Ghetto).
[xiv] JewishGen – “Lodz Ghetto List” database, Museum of Jewish Heritage, Avialable online at: (https://www.jewishgen.org/databases/jgdetail_2.php?df=LODZGHETTO&georegion=00poland&srch1=Lewin&srch1v=S&srch1t=Q&srch2=Estera&srch2v=G&srch2t=Q&srchbool=AND&dates=all&newwindow=0&recstart=0&recjump=0&HttpVerb=Post: accessed 5 Jan 2026), Lewin, Estera, Date Reg: 15 Oct 1942, Origin, Pabiance..
[xv] Yad Vashim, Estera Lewin, Location: 17 Flat 10 Franz Strasse (Lodz Ghetto)
[xvi] “United States Holocaust Memorial Museum; Washington, DC; Poland, Lódz Ghetto Register Books, 1939-1944;” database at Ancestry.com, provided by: Przełożony Starszeństwa Żydow w Getcie Łódzkim ,(Poland, Lódz Jewish Ghetto Register Books, 1939-1944 (USHMM) – Ancestry.com: accessed 22 Dec 2025), Hinda Lewin (Fuks), Previous address: Pabianice, Residence: Muhlgasse 24 (Lodz Ghetto).
[xvii] Metryki Gen Baza Poland, AP Lodz 39, Pabianice Moj 1616, death record, Abram Mordka Edelsztajn, 4 Sep 1939, Pabianice, age 72, available online at: GenBaza Metrics – Registry and Registry Books. Genealogy., translated and transcribed by Petje, see appendix E.
[xviii] Metryki Gen Baza Poland, AP Lodz 39, Pabianice Moj 1616, death record, Chaja Sura Lewin, nee Heliszkowska, 1 Nov 1940, Pabianice, age 56, available online at: https://metryki.genbaza.pl/genbaza,detail,497587,96., translated and transcribed by Petje, see appendix E.
[xix] “East Europe, Registers and Listings from Ten Jewish Ghettos, 1939-1942”, database at Ancestry.com, provided by: JewishGen.org Volunteers, comp. East Europe, Registers and Listings from Ten Jewish Ghettos, 1939-1942,(https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/1459/records/215336?tid=30202169&pid=132467959995&ssrc=pt: accessed 22 Dec 2025), Ruchel Olej (Ruchel Judkowicz), Move Date: 29 May1942, from: Pabianice, Location: 81 Flat 6 Muhl Gasse (Lodz Ghetto).
[xx] Project Muse, “The United States Holocaust Memorial Museum Encyclopedia of Camps and Ghettos, 1933-1945, Volume II: Ghettos in German-Occupied Eastern Europe, Pabianice, description of the Nazi invasion and establishment of the Ghetto, available online at: https://muse.jhu.edu/document/2409/
[xxi] Metryki Gen Baza Poland, AP Lodz 39, Pabianice Moj 1616, death record, Chaja Sura Lewin, nee Heliszkowska, 1 Nov 1940, Pabianice, age 56, available online at: https://metryki.genbaza.pl/genbaza,detail,497587,96., translated and transcribed by Petje, see appendix E.
[xxii] “East Europe, Registers and Listings from Ten Jewish Ghettos, 1939-1942”, database at Ancestry.com, provided by: JewishGen.org Volunteers, comp. East Europe, Registers and Listings from Ten Jewish Ghettos, 1939-1942, (East Europe, Registers and Listings from Ten Jewish Ghettos, 1939-1942 – Ancestry.com: accessed 14 Dec 2025), Jacob Lewin, from: Pabianice, Location: 17 Flat 10 Franz Strasse (Lodz Ghetto).
[xxiii] “East Europe, Registers and Listings from Ten Jewish Ghettos, 1939-1942”, database at Ancestry.com, provided by: JewishGen.org Volunteers, comp. East Europe, Registers and Listings from Ten Jewish Ghettos, 1939-1942, (East Europe, Registers and Listings from Ten Jewish Ghettos, 1939-1942 – Ancestry.com: accessed 14 Dec 2025), Pesa Lewin (Cycanowicz), Move Date: 15 Oct 1942, from: Pabianice, Location: 17 Flat 10 Franz Strasse (Lodz Ghetto).
[xxiv] Yad Vashem, the world holocaust remembrance center, Chana Lewin, Source: List of Lodz Ghetto inmates, addres Pfeffer Gasse 9, available online: https://collections.yadvashem.org/en/names/4559480.
[xxv] “Poland, Lódz Jewish Ghetto Register Books, 1939-1944 (USHMM),” database at Ancestry.com, Original data from: United States Holocaust Memorial Museum; Washington, DC; Poland, Lódz Ghetto Register Books, 1939-1944, Available online at: Poland, Lódz Jewish Ghetto Register Books, 1939-1944 (USHMM) – Ancestry.com: Accessed 11 Jan 2026), Name: Fajga Janowska, date deported from Incel 26 to Muhlgasse 24, 22 Aug 1942.
[xxvi] Poland, Lódz Jewish Ghetto Register Books, 1939-1944 (USHMM),” database at Ancestry.com, Original data from: United States Holocaust Memorial Museum; Washington, DC; Poland, Lódz Ghetto Register Books, 1939-1944, Available online at: Poland, Lódz Jewish Ghetto Register Books, 1939-1944 (USHMM) – Ancestry.com: Accessed 11 Jan 2026), Name: Brandla Cwiling, date deported to Muhlgasse 24, 22 Aug 1942.
[xxvii] JewishGen – “Lodz Ghetto List” database, Museum of Jewish Heritage, Avialable online at: https://www.jewishgen.org/databases/jgdetail_2.php : accessed 6 Jan 2026), 2 records: a: Fuks, Hinda, maiden name – Lewin, date of reg – 26 Feb 1942 (into Lodz Muhl Gasse 24., origin Pabjanice. B) Deported 28 Jun 1944 to Chelmno from Balter Ring.
[xxviii] JewishGen – “Lodz Ghetto List” database, Museum of Jewish Heritage, Avialable online at: https://www.jewishgen.org/databases/jgdetail_2.php?df=LODZGHETTO&georegion=00poland&srch1=Edelsztajn&srch1v=S&srch1t=Q&srchbool=AND&dates=all&newwindow=0&recstart=0&recjump=0&HttpVerb=Post : accessed 6 Jan 2026),Ajdelstein, Luser, Origin: Pabiance, to Sulzfelder Strasse 56 flat 6 Lodz Ghetto, deported again, code WYM, 9 Sep 1942.
[xxix] Yad Vashem, the world holocaust remembrance center, Sissel Reisel Zysl Edelstein (Levin), Source: Page of testimony, provided by Hinda Shabat, her daughter, available online: https://collections.yadvashem.org/en/names/485546.
[xxx] Yad Vashem, the world holocaust remembrance center,Necha Edelstein, Source: Page of testimony, provided by Hinda Shabat, her sister, available online: https://collections.yadvashem.org/en/names/592254.
[xxxi] Yad Vashem, the world holocaust remembrance center,Masha Scharzki (Edelshtein), Source: Page of testimony, provided by Hinda Shabat, her sister, available online: https://collections.yadvashem.org/en/names/1355372.
[xxxii] Yad Vashem, the world holocaust remembrance center,Jakov Edelstein, Source: Page of testimony, provided by Hinda Shabat, his sister, available online: https://collections.yadvashem.org/en/names/337599.
[xxxiii] Yad Vashem, the world holocaust remembrance center, Chaia Schabat (Edelstein), Source: Page of testimony, provided by Hinda Shabat, her sister, available online: https://collections.yadvashem.org/en/names/1621121.
[xxxiv] No record for Hannah, possibly predeceased the invasion.
[xxxv] Yad Vashem, the world holocaust remembrance center,Wolf Edelstein, Source: Page of testimony, provided by Hinda Shabat, his sister, available online: https://collections.yadvashem.org/en/names/386554.
[xxxvi] Yad Vashem, the world holocaust remembrance center, DeworaEdelstein, Source: Page of testimony, provided by Hinda Shabat, her sister, available online: https://collections.yadvashem.org/en/names/307688.
[xxxvii] JewishGen – “Lodz Ghetto List” database, Museum of Jewish Heritage, Avialable online at: Lodz Ghetto List: accessed 30 Dec 2025), Olej, Ruchel and daugthers: Rywka and Masza. Origin: Pabjanice to Lodz Ghetto Muhl Gasse 81 Flat 6, date to Lodz 29 May 1942.
[xxxviii] JewishGen – “Lodz Ghetto List” database, Museum of Jewish Heritage, Avialable online at: Lodz Ghetto List: accessed 30 Dec 2025), Olej, Ruchel and daugthers: Rywka and Masza. Origin: Pabjanice to Lodz Ghetto Muhl Gasse 81 Flat 6, date to Lodz 29 May 1942.
[xxxix] JewishGen – “Lodz Ghetto List” database, Museum of Jewish Heritage, Avialable online at: Lodz Ghetto List: accessed 30 Dec 2025), Olej, Ruchel and daugthers: Rywka and Masza. Origin: Pabjanice to Lodz Ghetto Muhl Gasse 81 Flat 6, date to Lodz 29 May 1942.
[xl] JewishGen – “Lodz Ghetto List” database, Museum of Jewish Heritage, Avialable online at: (https://www.jewishgen.org/databases/jgdetail_2.php?df=LODZGHETTO&georegion=00poland&srch1=Lewin&srch1v=S&srch1t=Q&srch2=Estera&srch2v=G&srch2t=Q&srchbool=AND&dates=all&newwindow=0&recstart=0&recjump=0&HttpVerb=Post: accessed 5 Jan 2026), Lewin, Estera, Date Reg: 15 Oct 1942, Origin, Pabiance..
[xli] United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, Holocaust Encyclopedia, Lodz, available online at: (https://encyclopedia.ushmm.org/content/en/article/lodz).
[xlii] United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, Holocaust Encyclopedia, Lodz, available online at: (https://encyclopedia.ushmm.org/content/en/article/lodz).
[xliii] “Poland, Łódż Ghetto ID Card Registrations, 1939-1944 (USHMM)”, database at Ancestry.com, United States Holocaust Memorial Museum; The Eldest of the Jews in the Lódz Ghetto, 1939-1944.; Record Group: RG-15.083M; File Name Range: rg-15_083m_0198-00163; (Available online at: Mordichi-Volv (Wolf) Olej : Accessed 28 Dec 2025), Name: Morka Wolf, Spouse, Brajdla, child Rajzla Olej, Lodz Ghetto.
[xliv] “Poland, Lódz Jewish Ghetto Register Books, 1939-1944 (USHMM)”, database at Ancestry.com, United States Holocaust Memorial Museum; Washington, DC; Poland, Lódz Ghetto Register Books, 1939-1944; Record Groups: RG-15.083M; File Name: rg-15_083m_0219-00000622; (Available online at: Poland, Lódz Jewish Ghetto Register Books, 1939-1944 (USHMM) – Ancestry.com : Accessed 28 Dec 2025), Name: Estera- Malka Olej, Lodz Ghetto.
[xlv] JewishGen – “Lodz Ghetto List” database, Museum of Jewish Heritage, Avialable online at: Lodz Ghetto List: accessed 10 Jan 2026), Olej, Genia, Franz 15 Flat 19, deported: 10 Jun 1942, code AUSG (likely Chelmno based on Abram Josek).
[xlvi] JewishGen – “Lodz Ghetto List” database, Museum of Jewish Heritage, Avialable online at: Lodz Ghetto List: accessed 10 Jan 2026), Olej, Abram, Franz 15 Flat 19, deported: 10 Jun 1942, code AUSG, Transport TR 28/2 (to Chelmno).
[xlvii] “Lódz, Poland, Vital Records of Jews in the Lódz Jewish Ghetto, 1939-1944 (USHMM)”, database at Ancestry.comUnited States Holocaust Memorial Museum; Washington, D.C.; Lódz, Poland, Vital Records of Jews in the Lódz Ghetto, 1939-1944; Record Group: rg-15_083m; (Available online at: Lódz, Poland, Vital Records of Jews in the Lódz Jewish Ghetto, 1939-1944 (USHMM) – Ancestry.com : Accessed 28 Dec 2025), Name: Mordka Wolf, Olej, Date of death: 28 Dez 1940, Litzmannstadt Ghetto, 5 Strasse N15 Wohn19.
[xlviii] “Lódz, Poland, Vital Records of Jews in the Lódz Jewish Ghetto, 1939-1944 (USHMM)”, database at Ancestry.comUnited States Holocaust Memorial Museum; Washington, D.C.; Lódz, Poland, Vital Records of Jews in the Lódz Ghetto, 1939-1944; Record Group: rg-15_083m; (Available online at: Lódz, Poland, Vital Records of Jews in the Lódz Jewish Ghetto, 1939-1944 (USHMM) – Ancestry.com : Accessed 28 Dec 2025), NameRajzla Olej, Date of marriage: 24 Apr 1941, spouse, Nusen Nuta Rozenbaum.
[xlix] JewishGen – “Lodz Ghetto List” database, Museum of Jewish Heritage, Avialable online at: Lodz Ghetto List: accessed 10 Jan 2026), Olej, Roza, Franz 15 Flat 19, Deported 9 May 1941 (WYM) to Sulzfelder Strasse 64 with her Hustband Nusen.
[l] JRI-Poland, “Lodz Registration Cards 1916-1921 PSA,” available online at (jri-poland : Accessed 29 Jan 2026); details: ,”Horonczyk, Aba, Sura H (Olej, born 1868 Lask), Saja (1893), Bajla (1897), Dworra (1898), Lipman (1905), Szlama (1907); image available: (registration).
[li] Professional Genealogist Petje reviewed birth, marriage, and death records on Metryki GenBaza, source of vital records. Petje transcribed and summarized in a tree, Available online at (Metryki GenBaza – Księgi metrykalne i USC. Genealogia.), details: Lask Lodz- BoR 223-213, Glika Horonczyk, B. April 1914, D. 02 Jul 1914, Lodz.
[lii] Professional Genealogist Petje reviewed birth, marriage, and death records on Metryki GenBaza, source of vital records. Petje transcribed and summarized in a tree, Available online at (Metryki GenBaza – Księgi metrykalne i USC. Genealogia.), details: Lask 1896/75b, Jakob Horonczyk, 13 Jul 1896, Lask.
[liii] JewishGen – “Lodz Ghetto List” database, Museum of Jewish Heritage, Avialable online at: (Lodz Ghetto List: accessed 30 Dec 2024), Horonczyk, Szyfra and family, Estera, Salomon, Zalik (Zeleg) and Chaim Jakob. Holz Strasse 21 Flat 31. Szyfra’s deporation: 28 Feb 1942, AUSG, TR5/2.
[liv] “Poland, Lódz Jewish Ghetto Register Books, 1939-1944 (USHMM)”, database at Ancestry.com, United States Holocaust Memorial Museum; Washington, DC; Poland, Lódz Ghetto Register Books, 1939-1944; Record Groups: RG-15.083M; File Name: rg-15_083m_0225-00000147, (Available online at: Poland, Lódz Jewish Ghetto Register Books, 1939-1944 (USHMM) – Ancestry.com : Accessed 30 Dec 2025), Name: Zalik Horonczyk, date of birth: 25 Apr 1926, Holz 21, previous Holz 21.
[lv] Virtual Shtetl, Lodz, History, discusses the Lodz Ghetto and streets, available online at: https://sztetl.org.pl/en/towns/l/497-lodz/99-history/137633-history-of-community.
[lvi] JewishGen – “Lodz Ghetto List” database, Museum of Jewish Heritage, Avialable online at: (Lodz Ghetto List: accessed 30 Dec 2025), Horonczyk, Jakob with family, Rywka (wife) Izrael Mosze, Aron Meir, Chana Dwojra, and Luba, all on Transport Tr/2 to Chelmno 28 Feb 1942.
[lvii] IBID: Horonczyk, Lipman, Died 6/4/1942; Szlama, transported 10/03/1944/AG.
[lviii] “Poland, Lódz Jewish Ghetto Register Books, 1939-1944 (USHMM)”, database at Ancestry.com, United States Holocaust Memorial Museum; Washington, DC; Poland, Lódz Ghetto Register Books, 1939-1944; Record Groups: RG-15.083M; File Name: rg-15_083m_0225-00000147, Available online at: (Poland, Lódz Jewish Ghetto Register Books, 1939-1944 (USHMM) – Ancestry.com : Accessed 30 Dec 2025), Name: Mariem Olej, date of birth: 15 Jul 1876.
[lix] JewishGen – “Lodz Ghetto List” database, Museum of Jewish Heritage, Avialable online at: https://www.jewishgen.org/databases/jgdetail_2.php?df=LODZGHETTO&georegion=01holocaust&srch1=Olej&srch1v=S&srch1t=Q&srchbool=AND&dates=all&newwindow=0&recstart=0&recjump=0&HttpVerb=Post: accessed 30 Dec 2025), Olej, Ruchla (b 1918) and Olej, Mariem, Deported 11 Sep 1942, type AUSG.
[lx] JewishGen – “Lodz Ghetto List” database, Museum of Jewish Heritage, Avialable online at: Lodz Ghetto List: accessed 30 Dec 2025), Falke, Lajb and family: Chaja Bina, Bajla, Machla and Rywka, Deported in TR9, type AUSG.
[lxi] Yad Vashem, the world holocaust remembrance center, Sara Sztyfler (Gierszon), Source: List of Jews deported from Konin to the Lublin district on Transport No. 16 ,12/03/1941, available online: https://collections.yadvashem.org/en/names/10483165.
[lxii] Book of permanent Residents listing “Mendel Lewin and family”, coming from Zgierz, translated by Petje, Original source, Books of permanent Residents, Pabianice, Vol 3296, Mortgage No 2, Page 2, Stored on Spreadsheet, link in WordPress, Name: Mendel Lewin, wife Ajdla Laja Dajcz, children: Estera Masia and Szyfra, profession – Trader, location – Pabianice.
[lxiii] Metryki Gen Baza Poland, AP Lodz 39, Pabianice Moj 1616, 1906 – 1914, death record, Szyfra Lewin, 9 Nov 1910, Pabianice, age 1, available online at: https://metryki.genbaza.pl/genbaza,detail,278419,86, translated and transcribed by Petje, see appendix E.
[lxiv] Metryki Gen Baza Poland, AP Lodz 39, Pabianice Moj 1616, 1906 – 1914, birth record, Malka Hinda Lewin, 3 May 1911, Pabianice, available online at: Metryki GenBaza – Księgi metrykalne i USC. Genealogia., translated and transcribed by Petje, see appendix E.
[lxv] Metryki Gen Baza Poland, AP Lodz 39, Pabianice Moj 1616, 1906 – 1914, birth record, Symcha Binem Lewin, 11 May 1913, Pabianice, available online at: Metryki GenBaza – Księgi metrykalne i USC. Genealogia., translated and transcribed by Petje, see appendix E.
[lxvi] Metryki Gen Baza Poland, AP Lodz 39, Pabianice Moj 1616, 1906 – 1914, birth record, Fajga Fradel Lewin, 23 Feb 1916, Pabianice, available online at: Metryki GenBaza – Księgi metrykalne i USC. Genealogia., translated and transcribed by Petje, see appendix E.
[lxvii] Metryki Gen Baza Poland, AP Lodz 39, Pabianice Moj 1616, 1906 – 1914, birth record, Marjem Rajzel Lewin, 22 Aug 1918, Pabianice, available online at: https://metryki.genbaza.pl/genbaza,detail,300191,212, translated and transcribed by Petje, see appendix E.
[lxviii] JewishGen – “Lodz Ghetto List” database, Museum of Jewish Heritage, Avialable online at: (https://www.jewishgen.org/databases/Poland/LodzGhetto.html: accessed 31 Dec 2025), Lewin, Mendel; Dajer, Ajdla & Dajcz, Ajdla Laja (2 records); Lewin, Symcha Binem; Lewin, Fajga Fradel All on Leible Strasse 9.
[lxix] Lodz, 1935, Marriage record, AKT #176, type M, Names: Szwarc, Josif Gdala; Lewin, Estera Masia, date: 5 Mar 1934, place Lodz, translated and transcribed by Petje, see appendix E.
[lxx] “Poland, Lódz Jewish Ghetto Register Books, 1939-1944 (USHMM)”, database at Ancestry.com, United States Holocaust Memorial Museum; Washington, DC; Poland, Lódz Ghetto Register Books, 1939-1944; Record Groups: RG-15.083M; File Name: rg-15_083m_0234-00000069, Available online at: (Poland, Lódz Jewish Ghetto Register Books, 1939-1944 (USHMM) – Ancestry.com : Accessed 31 Dec 2025), Name: Estera Masia Szwarc, Location: Matrosen 25 (Franz 58).
[lxxi] “Poland, Lódz Jewish Ghetto Register Books, 1939-1944 (USHMM)”, database at Ancestry.com, United States Holocaust Memorial Museum; Washington, DC; Poland, Lódz Ghetto Register Books, 1939-1944; Record Groups: RG-15.083M; File Name: rg-15_083m_0235-00000110, Available online at: (Poland, Lódz Jewish Ghetto Register Books, 1939-1944 (USHMM) – Ancestry.com : Accessed 31 Dec 2025), Name: Gedale Josif Szwerc, Location: Matrosengasse 25 (Franzstr 58), death date 16 Aug 1942.
[lxxii] “Poland, Lódz Jewish Ghetto Register Books, 1939-1944 (USHMM)”, database at Ancestry.com, United States Holocaust Memorial Museum; Washington, DC; Poland, Lódz Ghetto Register Books, 1939-1944; Record Groups: RG-15.083M; File Name: rg-15_083m_0235-00000110, Available online at: (Poland, Lódz Jewish Ghetto Register Books, 1939-1944 (USHMM) – Ancestry.com : Accessed 31 Dec 2025), Name: Frajda Szwerc, Location: Matrosengasse 25 (Franzstr 58).
[lxxiii] “East Europe, Registers and Listings from Ten Jewish Ghettos, 1939-1942”, database at Ancestry.com, Original date from JewishGen, Available online at: (East Europe, Registers and Listings from Ten Jewish Ghettos, 1939-1942 – Ancestry.com : Accessed 31 Dec 2025), Name: Szaul Fajwisz Szwarc, Location: Matrosen 25.
[lxxiv] “East Europe, Registers and Listings from Ten Jewish Ghettos, 1939-1942”, database at Ancestry.com, Original date from JewishGen, Available online at: (East Europe, Registers and Listings from Ten Jewish Ghettos, 1939-1942 – Ancestry.com : Accessed 31 Dec 2025), Name: Rojza Szwarc, Location: Matrosen 25.
[lxxv] “Poland, Lódz Jewish Ghetto Register Books, 1939-1944 (USHMM)”, database at Ancestry.com, United States Holocaust Memorial Museum; Washington, DC; Poland, Lódz Ghetto Register Books, 1939-1944; Record Groups: RG-15.083M; File Name: rg-15_083m_0235-00000110, Available online at: (Poland, Lódz Jewish Ghetto Register Books, 1939-1944 (USHMM) – Ancestry.com : Accessed 31 Dec 2025), Name: Transe Szwerc, Location: Matrosengasse 25 (Franzstr 58).
[lxxvi] JewishGen, “Lodz PSA Births 1918-22 marriages, Deaths 1936-39” database, Jewish Records Indexing, Poland, Avialable online at: Jewish Records Indexing – Poland: accessed 31 Dec 2025), Names: Lewin, Malka Hinda; Goldsmid, Chaskiel Mzkul, year: 1938.
[lxxvii] “East Europe, Registers and Listings from Ten Jewish Ghettos, 1939-1942”, database at Ancestry.com, Original date from JewishGen, Available online at: (East Europe, Registers and Listings from Ten Jewish Ghettos, 1939-1942 – Ancestry.com: Accessed 31 Dec 2025), Name: Goldszmit, Malka Hinda, Location: 20 Flat 5 Schneider Gasse.
[lxxviii] “East Europe, Registers and Listings from Ten Jewish Ghettos, 1939-1942”, database at Ancestry.com, Original date from JewishGen, Available online at: (East Europe, Registers and Listings from Ten Jewish Ghettos, 1939-1942 – Ancestry.com : Accessed 31 Dec 2025), Name: Goldsznit, Chaskiel Szmul, Location: 20 Flat 5 Schneider Gasse.
[lxxix] “East Europe, Registers and Listings from Ten Jewish Ghettos, 1939-1942”, database at Ancestry.com, Original date from JewishGen, Available online at: (East Europe, Registers and Listings from Ten Jewish Ghettos, 1939-1942 – Ancestry.com : Accessed 31 Dec 2025), Name: Goldsznit, Lajb Mojsze, DoB: 25 Oct 1938, Location: 20 Flat 5 Schneider Gasse, date of death 29 Aug 1942.
[lxxx] JewishGen – “Lodz Ghetto List” database, Museum of Jewish Heritage, Avialable online at: https://www.jewishgen.org/databases/jgdetail_2.php: accessed 3 Jan 2026), Lewin, Symch Binem, death date 33 Jun 1941, location Leible Strasse 9 Flat 30.
[lxxxi] JewishGen – “Lodz Ghetto List” database, Museum of Jewish Heritage, Avialable online at: (Lodz Ghetto List: accessed 30 Dec 2025), Perlowicz, Izrael Majer with family, Abram Dawid, Breine, Mascha, move date 14 Nov 1942, Breine died 17 Jun 1942.
[lxxxii] Metryki.GenBaza – AP Lodz 39, Pabianice moj 1616, 1936 – 1939, database, Avialable online at: (Metryki GenBaza – Księgi metrykalne i USC. Genealogia.: accessed 30 Dec 2025), Marriage record: Perlowicz, Izrael Majer, laborer, Spouse – Masza Lewin, Mother: Teperowicz Brajna, date 28 Feb 1938.
[lxxxiii] “Vital Records of Jews in the Lódz Jewish Ghetto, 1939-1944 (USHMM),” database at Ancestry.com, Original data from: United States Holocaust Memorial Museum; Washington, D.C.; Lódz, Poland, Vital Records of Jews in the Lódz Ghetto, 1939-1944; Record Group: rg-15_083m, Available online at: (Lódz, Poland, Vital Records of Jews in the Lódz Jewish Ghetto, 1939-1944 (USHMM) – Ancestry.com : Accessed 3 Jan 2026), Name: Lajb Josef Perlowicz, date: 13 Jul 1940, Location: Litzmannstadt Ghetto.
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