Date Last Updated: 18-May-2012

This information was donated by SM.

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My great-great-grandfather Louis Slobodin was born in Vitebsk on December 15, 1881. He was the son of Ephraim and Sophie. He, his brother Israel, and sister Rose immigrated to the UK sometime between 1900-1907. The family name was changed to Bogin when he came to England. He married Sheina (Sarah), whom I am named for as I was born on her birthday.

Naturalization Certificatea (Front)

Naturalization Certificatea (Rear)

This information was donated by RB

Louis and Sheina Slobodin were my grandparents. My grandfather was one of two brothers who married two sisters and both families came to England around 1907. My grandparents and father are shown on the 1911 census. Here is a picture showing my grandfather, my father and his twin brothers outside my grandfather's barber shop in Whitechapel, East London.

My grandmother, who was a seamstress in Vitebsk, told me that she used to work very long hours in a factory. Sometimes students came to the factory and told them that things were going to change for the better; but the Cossacks would come and take away the students.

Below is the Russian passport followed by an English translation.

Passport and Identity Card

(This is written on old official stationary from the time of the Czar.
It is written in the old Belarus Language, with the use of letters that are not used nowadays.)

Family Name: Slobodkin Name: Sheina (perhaps Mina)
Nationality: Jewish
Date of Birth: March 8, 1888
Occupation: seamstress
Family status: single woman, Traveling alone
Army service: none
Signature: She does not know how to write.
(In such a case a description is needed)
Description:
Height: above average
Hair color: dark blond
Destination: Russia
Information: She was sent from her place of residence and therefore received this document, which gives her permission to travel to any city or village in Imperial Russia.
Date: January 16, 1907

Census of England and Wales, 1911

Letter