Report out from the genealogist in Poland: Continue reading Appendix E

Liquidation of the Pabianice Ghetto In February 1942, the Gestapo entered the Pabiaince Ghetto and conducted a health examination on all prisoners. After the examination everyone was given a tattoo of an A or a B. On the 16th of May all inhabitants were ordered to wait in front of their residence by 4pm. Failure to comply resulted in the immediate execution of the offender. Approximately 3,600 were in group A. They were sent to the Łódź Ghetto. There were over 3,200 people in group B. They were loaded into cattle trains and sent to the Chełmno death camp.[i] Chaia … Continue reading Chapter Fifteen: 1942 – Resettlement and Mass Murder

Early Occupation Life for Jews in Warsaw and Otwock, immediately became difficult. On the first day of 1940, Emanuel Ringelblum observed that “the mortality among the Jews in Warsaw is dreadful. There are fifty to seventy deaths daily.” Prior to the war, it was 10 per day. All foreign contact had been broken and the Nazis began to press women in Warsaw into forced labor.[i] In February 1940 Jews in Warsaw began to hear rumors about the Łódź Ghetto. In May their fate began to become clear when construction began on walls on Nowy Swiat St. in Warsaw. Despite their … Continue reading Chapter Fourteen: Establishing the Warsaw and Otwock Ghetto 1940 – 1941

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 … Continue reading Chapter Thirteen: Olej and Levins into the Ghettos 1939 – 1942

Invasion On the first of September 1939, Germany launched a massive, unprovoked attack against Poland. To overwhelm the Polish army, Germany deployed 60 divisions, 1,300 airplanes, and thousands of tanks, supported by nearly 1.5 million men in total.[i] Poland had little chance to resist. In Pabianice, the markets were full and the preparations were made to greet the Sabath. All seemed normal, until noon when the German air force dropped their first bombs.[ii] It only took seven days until Germany claimed the entire Łódź Viovodeship (Province). They renamed the city of Łódź to Litzmannstadt.[iii] Atrocities started immediately upon their arrival, … Continue reading Chapter Twelve: Caught in the Storm

Introduction The purpose of this section is to remember those that were murdered in the Holocaust. Therefore there will be a lot of names to follow. The charts below are to help the reader. You may also want to refer to part IV as well to see their relationship with those that managed to escape Poland and the Holocaust.   Avram Moshe Olej and Baila Horowicz were your author’s 2nd great-grandparents. I descend from them via my great-grandfather, Yosef Olej. Then via his son Leon Olej (Olive). Leon was my mother’s father. The charts below show the siblings of my … Continue reading Part V – The Holocaust and our Relatives

The blessed Lord should help that we see each other soon in a good state.  I am kissing my dear grandchildren from afar. Kalman Besser- 1939 Kalman Besser, Frayda Popaver Fond memories of Warsaw and Otwock The date of Kalman Besser’s and Frayda Popaver’s wedding is not known but probably occurred around 1905.[i] Once married, they lived in a large apartment that sat atop their warehouse on Rymarska Street, in Warsaw Poland. All who were interviewed for this book made particular note of their very large dining room table. This table played host to their large family, many guests, and … Continue reading Chapter Eleven: Kalman and Frayda

Chapter Four: 1750-1840 – Our Earliest Known Ancestor        Lajzer Olej, Machel Olej/Liverand, Sura Warzawaska Łask, Poland  Around 1770 our earliest known ancestor, Machel Leyzer Olej was born in Łask Poland. He was your author’s 3rd great-grandfather.[i] Within the family he has been named both Machel Olej and Machel Liverand. To date, all official records refer to him as “Michal (or Michel) Leyzer Oli”. However, he did spend time as a Liwerant (a military supplier or delivery man), which likely accounts for the dual surnames.[1] It is possible that Machel’s father was named Leyzer (Eliezer) Oli (Olej). The only thing we … Continue reading Part 2: Olej & Levin in Poland

Post 12, Book 1, Part II, Chapter 9 Chapter Nine: Becoming Elizabeth Jackson part 2 Colonial Kentucky and Missouri 1750 – 1860 Brockmans:  John, Stephen and Marry Ann Brockman Embree: Joseph, Elizabeth and Mary Embree Jacksons:  Congrave, James, Caleb, and Elizabeth Jackson Bush:  Margaret Bush Burrus:  Thomas and Mildred Burrus Elizabeth’s Great Grandparents in Virginia As a refresher, because her parents were cousins, Elizabeth’s great grandparents are as follows: Congrave Jackson and Mary Margaret Bush; Joseph Joel Embree and Mildred “Millie” Burrus; John Brockman (Sr.) and Elizabeth Burrus. Mary Margaret Bush (who typically went by Margaret)[i] was born in 1735 … Continue reading Post 14, Book 1, Part II, Chapter 9

Chapter Ten: Becoming Menifee “Fee” Logan Missouri and California 1880 – 1919 Thomas J Logan, Maggie Van Schoick, Samuel Van Schoick, Mary Snead Menifee “Fee” Logan, Margaret “Peggy” Gard Introducing Thomas and Margaret Prior to exploring Elizabeth’s Ancestors, we closed chapter 7 with the birth of Thomas Jackson Logan in Richmond Township Missouri in 1864.[1][i]. At the age of 16, in 1880, Thomas was living with his stepsiblings, Lafayette “Fee” Jackson, Josephine Jackson and Elisa Jackson in Camden Township Missouri.[ii] All three were from Elizabeth Logan’s (Jackson) prior marriage to James Jackson. It is likely that Thomas made this move … Continue reading Post 13, Book 1, Part II, Chapter 10