Markel family

alternate spellings: Markell, Merkel, Markle, Merkle

The earliest known family member is Markel (Mortkhel) Markel, who was born before 1785 in either Raguva or Troskunai. The two known children of Mortkhel Markel:

I.  Eliash Markel was born in Raguva in 1803. He married Dvora, who was born in Raguva in 1807.

• The only known child of Eliash and Dvora:
• Ovser Israel Markel was born in Raguva in 1834. He married Chaya, who was also born in Raguva in 1834.

II.  Leybe Markel was born in 1813 in Raguva or Troskunai. He married Rocha, who was born in 1810 in Raguva or Troskunai. Rocha died before 1880.

• The three known children of Leybe Markel and Rocha:
• Leyzer Markel was born in Troskunai in 1838. He married Rocha Leah (Rasha Chaya) Skudovich, who was born in Troskunai in ~1843. Leyzer died before 1891, and Rocha Leah died after 1891. The five children of Leyzer Markel and Rocha Skudovich:
• Chana Etel Markel was born ~1865 in Troskunai. She married Tankhum Itsyk Shapiro, who was born in Troskunai in 1860. Chana Etel died in Troskunai on 20 May 1922, and Tankhum died sometime after 1920. The four children of Chana Etel Markel and Tanhkum Itsyk Shapiro:
• Feiga Shapiro was born in 1882 in Ukmerge (Vilkomir). On 15 May 1922 in Ukmerge she married Abel Barlik, who was born in 1874 in Ukmerge.
• Zelman (Samuel) Shapiro was born ~1887 in Troskunai. He died in Troskunai on 23 March 1921.
• Motel Shapiro was born in Troskunai in 1896. He married, but his wife's name is unknown.
• Yudel Shapiro was born ~1898 in Ukmerge. On 15 June 1926 in Utena, he married Chana Perel Kab, who was born ~1896 in Utena.
• Leah Taube Markel was born in Troskunai in 1871.
• Noyma Markel was born in Troskunai in 1873. On 18 January 1895 in Panevezys she married Aron Shimenovich, who was born in ~1839 in Vabalninkas, Lithuania.
• Eliash Zelman (later Ellis S. Merkle) was born in Troskunai on 30 March 1877. In ~1899 he married Sarah Nokhumovich (later Nordin), who was born in Raguva in 1878. Ellis died on 5 April 1947, and Sarah died on 4 June 1955, both in Richmond, Virginia. The nine children of Ellis Merkle and Sarah Nordin:
• Arthur Lewis Merkle (born Markel) was born on 22 February 1900, likely in Troskunai. Between 1915 and 1920 he married Cecile Smilowitz Cohen, who was born in Germany on 8 August 1894. They had two children, as well as a son from Cecile's previous marriage. Cecile died on 15 March 1961, and Arthur died on 11 May 1975, both in Richmond, Virginia.
• Harold Hyman Merkle (born Khone Markel) was born on 18 August 1903, either in Troskunai or in Baltimore, Maryland. On 10 November 1935 in Washington, DC, he married Eva Irene Fribush, who was born in Baltimore on 30 June 1908. They had one son. Harold died on 6 July 1972 in Richmond, Virginia. Eva died on 27 January 1995 in Portsmouth, Virginia.
• Leyzer Merkle (born Markel) was born in Troskunai in 1904.
• Leon Arthur Merkle (born Markel) was born in Lithuania on 12 September 1906, and he came to the U.S. the following year. On 12 August 1939 in Richmond, Virginia, he married Ann Rohm, who was born in Richmond on 20 August 1910 and died in Richmond on 30 October 1953. On 15 December 1956 in Petersburg, Virginia, he married Sadie Lee Hunt, who was born in Danville, Virginia, on 25 January 1910. Leon died on 3 November 1988, and Sadie died on 11 July 2009, both in Richmond, Virginia.
• Lena (Leah) T. Merkle was born ~1908 in Maryland. Sometime after 1920 she married Joseph (Yosef) Coplan, who was born in Baltimore, Maryland, on 25 September 1895. They had five children. Joseph died on 7 March 1979, and Lena died on 26 January 1997, both in Richmond, Virginia.
• Morris (Moshe) Moxie Merkle was born in Landesdowne, Maryland, on 14 November 1911. On 11 October 1947 in Emporia, Virginia, he married Nadine Virginia Blevins, who was born in Wise, Virginia, on 7 April 1927. They had five children. Morris died on 17 October 2000, and Nadine died on 22 August 2013, both in Henrico County, Virginia.
• Ben Merkle was born in Baltimore, Maryland, on 15 January 1914. On 5 October 1935 in Richmond, Virginia, he married Katherine Specter, who was born in Richmond on 11 December 1914. Ben died on 22 April 1998, and Katherine died on 15 February 2005, both in Richmond, Virginia.
• Rose Merkle was born on 13 July 1915 in Henrico County, Virginia. She died in Richmond, Virginia, on 4 January 1962.
• Molly (Malka) Merkle was born in Richmond, Virginia, on 29 July 1918. On 15 October 1939 in Richmond, she married Aubrey Donald (Abraham David) Freedman, who was born in Richmond on 4 August 1918. They had two daughters. Aubrey died on 19 October 1971, and Molly died on 4 January 2005, both in Richmond, Virginia.
• Shifra (Rochel Shifra) Markel was born ~1881 in Troskunai. She married Eliya Gimliel (Gimple) Chaimovich, who was born in Troskunai in 1873. Gimpel died sometime after 1937. Shifra was killed in the Shoah at Pajuoste in August 1941. The eight children of Shifra Markel and Gimpel Chaimovich:
• Sara Chaimovich was born in Troskunai in 1904.
• Chaim Chaimovich was born in Troskunai in 1906. On 12 July 1929 in Panevezys, he married Nechama Eingeheler, who was born in Vidziai/Vidzh (now part of Belarus) in 1898, daughter of Moshe Eingeheler and Zelda Levin. Chaim was killed at Pajuoste in August 1941.
• Mera Chaimovich was born in Troskunai in 1908. On 12 February 1939 in Kaunas, she married Samuel Vilkorish, who was born in Kaunas in 1910.
• Markel Chaimovich was born in Troskunai in 1910. On 29 November 1935 in Joniskis, he married Henia Rabinovich, who was born in Joniskis in 1912. He was killed at Pajuoste in August 1941.
• Yudel Chaimovich was born in Troskunai in 1913.
• Beila Chaimovich was born in Troskunai in 1915. She was killed at Pajuoste in August 1941.

• Nosen Chaimovich was born was born 8 May 1917 in Penza, Russia.^[NOTE]In 1915, during World War I, tens of thousands of Jews were forcibly expelled to the east by the Russian authorities. Many Trashkuners settled in Penza. Most returned to their homes after the war. When World War II broke out, Nosen was living in Kovno. In July 1944, he was among the surviving Kovno ghetto prisoners who were evacuated to Dachau concentration camp, where he arrived on 1 August 1944. He was liberated from Kaufering (one of the subcamps of Dachau) in April 1945. Nosen married Rivka (Rebecca) Yudelovich, who was born in Penza, Russia, on 12 April 1920. They had two sons, Gima and Itzik.
  DOCUMENT Record of Nosen Chaimovich at Dachau concentration camp
  PHOTO Nosen Chaimovich with others from Troskunai at Pajuoste memorial (1959 and 1961)
  PHOTO Nosen Chaimovich and Riva at reunion of survivors from Troskunai in Vilnius (1963) (upper left)
• Ester Chaimovich was born in Troskunai in 1920. She died in Troskunai at age 1½ on 25 March 1922.
• Shmuel Markel was born in Troskunai in 1841. He married Zisla Glass, who was born in Troskunai in 1849. Shmuel died after 1915. The four children of Shmuel Markel and Zisla Glass:
• Leyzer Hirsh (Leyzer Gershon) Markel was born ~1872 in Troskunai. He married Riva, who was born in 1875 in Troskunai. The two known children of Shmuel Markel and Zisla Glass:
• Mortkhel Idel Markel was born in Troskunai in 1901.
• Liba Mina Markel was born in Troskunai in 1903.
• Isaac Merkel (born Abram Itsyk Markel) was born in Troskunai on 7 March 1879. In 1906 in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, he married Freda Rebecca (Freydl) Zeleznik, who was born ~1885 in Anyksciai (Aniksht). On 25 November 1920 in Winnipeg, Isaac married his second wife, Fannie Waslavska, who was born ~1890 in Odessa, Russia (now Ukraine) and immigrated to Canada in 1913. Isaac died in Winnipeg on 14 February 1961. Freda died in Winnipeg, date unknown. Fannie's death date is also unknown.
• The five children of Isaac Merkel and his first wife, Freda Zeleznik:
• Jennie Ceile Merkel (later Pelly) was born 8 August 1906 in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. On 20 May 1937 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, she married Samuel Model, who was born ~1896 in Odessa, Russia (now Ukraine). They had two sons. Jennie died in Toronto, date unknown.
• [son] Merkel, the twin brother of Morris Merkel, was born on 17 March 1909 in Winnipeg, Canada. He died in 1909, in his first year.
• Morris Merkel, the surviving twin brother, was born on 17 March 1909 in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. He married Freda (Florence) Astrican, who was born in Winnipeg on 28 February 1917. They had two sons. Freda/Florence died on 12 March 1983, and Morris died on 3 March 1984, both in Winnipeg, Manitoba.
• Anne Merkel (later Pelly) was born 15 October 1910 in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. In Winnipeg on 18 October 1930 she married David Young Kerman, who was born 25 December 1904 in Capetown, South Africa. They had three children. David died on 4 February 1985 in Winnipeg. Anne died in August 1989 in St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada.
• Leib Merkel was born in 1911 in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. He died in Winnipeg as a young child in 1915.
• The child of Isaac Merkel and his second wife, Fannie Waslavska:
• Nellie Merkel was born 12 May 1922 in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. In ~1947 she married Benjamin Bernard Zaidman, who was born in Winnipeg on 28 November 1922. They had four children. Nellie died on 17 November 2006, and Benjamin died on 5 June 2008, both in Winnipeg, Manitoba.
• Rocha Shifra Markel was born ~1880 in Troskunai.
• Guta Markel was born ~1883 in Troskunai.
• Mortkhel Markel was born in Troskunai in 1848. He married Mina, who was born in Troskunai in 1851. Mortkhel died in Kaunas (Kovno) on 28 March 1908. The ten children of Mortkhel Markel and Mina:
• Sara Markel was born ~1895 in Troskunai and immigrated to Canada in 1909. On 5 November 1916 in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, she married Sam J. Gordon, who was born ~1894 in "Russia" and immigrated to Canada in 1905. The son of Sara Markel and Sam Gordon:
• Michael Gordon, born ~1918 in Canada.
• Benjamin Wulf Markel was born ~1874 in Troskunai. In Troskunai on 4 August 1900, he married Sheina Freida (Sarah) Shevach, who was born in Lithuania on 15 June 1879 and immigrated to Canada in 1907. Sarah died in Winnipeg on 17 April 1931. Benjamin died in Winnipeg, date unknown. The two children of Benjamin Wulf Markel and Sarah Shevach:
• Yudel Yankel (later Isadore) Markel was born in Troskuani in 1901. He married sometime before 1945, probably in Manitoba, Canada.
• Chaim Menkhel Markel (later Harry [Hymie] Markell) was born in Troskunai on 14 November 1904. In Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada on 22 September 1920, he married Jennie Katz, who was born ~1902 in Romania or Russia. They had three children. Harry/Hymie died in Winnipeg, date unknown.
• Leybe Leyzer (later Lewis) Markel was born ~1876 in Troskunai.
• Hersh Markel (later Harry Markle) was born ~1876 in Troskunai and immigrated to Canada in 1906. He married Eva, who was born ~1878 in "Russia" and immigrated to Canada in 1908. The five children of Harry Markle and Eva:
• Israel Markle (born Markel) was born ~1902 in Troskunai and immigrated to Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada, in April 106. He died on 31 August 1951, likely in Canada.
• Minnie Markle (born Markel) was born ~1904 in "Russia."
• Lewis Markle was born ~1909 in Manitoba, Canada.
• Rosie Markle was born ~1911 in Manitoba, Canada.
• Florence Markle was born ~1914 in Manitoba, Canada.
• Rochel (Sheyna Rocha) Markel was born in Troskunai in 1883.
• David Markel was born in Troskunai in 1885. In Troskunai on 4 December 1909 he married Chaia Beirakhovich, who was born in 1880 in Jieznas (Yezne), Lithuania. The following year they immigrated to the U.S. to join Chaia's relatives, arriving at Ellis Island on 12 April 1910. They later moved to Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, to be closer to David's brothers. David died on 17 April 1963, likely in Winnipeg.
  PHOTO Descendants of David Markel at a family reunion (Winnipeg, 1950s-1960s)
• The two children of David Markel and Chaia Beirakhovich:
• Markel Morris (Merk) Markel was born in ~1912. Sometime before 1946 he married Minna (Chana Malka) Hollenberg, who was born on 20 January 1912. They had one son. Minna died on 27 May 1958 in Winnipeg. Markel Morris later married Sylvia (Sima) Israels, who was born in ~1911. Markel Morris died on 25 July 1977 in Winnipeg. Sylvia died on 20 October 2005, also in Winnipeg.
• Anne Markel was born in ~1915, She married Theodore Greenberg, and they had two sons. Anne died in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, on 21 November 1967.
• Zalman Boruch Markel (later Merkel) was born in Troskunai in 1888 and immigrated to Canada on 1 June 1909. On 6 May 1908 he married Fannie (Feyga Pera) Yanus, who was born in "Russia" in 1889 and immigrated to Canada in 1910. The four children of Zalman Merkel and Fannie Yanus:
• Miriam Rachel (Mera Rasha) Markel was born in Troskunai on 15 August 1909.
• Jennie Merkel was born in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada on 15 August 1911.
• Anne (Eta) Markel or Merkel was born in Winnipeg in 1915. She married Lupa, and she died on 21 November 1967 in Winnipeg, Manitoba.
• Minnie Markle or Merkel was born ~1920 in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada.
• Shlioma Markel (later Solomon Markell) was born in Troskunai on 8 October 1891. He arrived in Canada on 28 December 1909. On 21 July 1911 in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, he married Minnie Evans, who was born in "Russia" in 1887 and immigrated to Canada in 1909. Solomon died in Winnipeg on 1 January 1945. The four children of Solomon Markell and Minnie Evans:

• Harry Markell (born Markel) was born in Kaunas gubernia, Lithuania.
• Jack Harold Markell was born on 14 May 1919 in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. He married Gertie Freed, who was born on 7 June 1925. In 1961 they settled in North Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, and they had two daughters. Jack was a well known artist. He died on 29 April 1979 in Vancouver, Canada. Gertie died on 7 January 2003.   PHOTO Jack Harold Markell (undated)
• Max Edward Markell was born in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada on 13 May 1912. He married Shirley Zale. Max died in Los Angeles County, California, on 19 December 1982.
• Sid Markell, birth date unknown, married to Sylvia.
• Shimen Markel (later Simon Markell) was born in Troskunai in 1893 and arrived in Quebec, Canada, on 6 July 1912. He married Tamara, who died on 7 May 1951. The two children of Simon Markell and Tamara:
• Margaret Markell
• Sheila Markell married Mort Caloff and had one son.
• Chaya (Chayka) Markel was born in Troskunai in 1895. She married Dave Wiseman.

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• Updated February 2022