The Grynszpan Family: A short residence in Odessa

by Stewart Vanning

Usher Anshel Grynszpan (1848-1920) [my great-grandfather] moved with his family form Ilza, near Radom, Poland to Odessa in 1896. In 1905 after the pogrom in Odessa, they came to London, England.

His son Simon (1893-1983) made the following statement on 19 Sept. 1974:

"He had just passed an examination to enter a Russian high school, for which only ten Jews could enter for every ninety Christian Russians. But pogroms now occurred in his town (Odessa) and once only an icon brought by a Christian student, who had coached Simon for the examination, and displayed in the window saved them from attack.

At this time agents from England came to Russia offering transport to England for useful craftsmen: cabinet-makers, tailors etc. for five pounds. All furniture and tools would also be sent to England.

This decided his father to leave Russia. It was winter 1905 and deep snow was on the ground (all outside doors opened outwards). The snow was cleared by a man employed for such purposes and the family left.

Obstacles confronted them, including rivers to be crossed and armed soldiers, for it was not permitted to leave Russia.

However they reached Austria and travelled by train to Berlin. There they were given hot baths and their clothes disinfected. Thence they travelled to Bremen and then went by ship to London. The voyage took three days and Simon was the only one of the family who was not sick.

Arriving in London they made use of the Jews' Shelter, but were soon helped by two of Simon's sisters already living in London.

When furniture and tools arrived, including two sewing machines for his father, who was a tailor, the latter was able to set up in business and employ men."

Note from the author: I would also be interested if the factual details e.g. thick snow in Odessa in 1905, front doors opening outwards, could be confirmed.