Jewish Population Statistics

Kehilalinks-Sokoly

Jewish Population Statistics

The Jewish population of Sokoly, Poland like in many other places, fluctuated over the years as people moved to other towns, emigrated from Poland, or changed due to natural life cycle events (births and deaths). From available sources the population (estimates) varied as follows:

1897 1,723

1921 1,558

1939 1,800

After Sept. 12, 1939, when the German army first entered Sokoly and began their reign of terror and murder, there was widespread panic and many Jews fled into nearby forests to escape the persecution. The Idzki forests, for example, were almost 8 miles from Sokoly. Several other forests were interconnected so that it was possible to move further away from one to another if the need arose to escape searches by both Germans and their collaborators.

Using the Jewish population figure for Sokoly in 1939, it is estimated that the destruction of the town and its Jewish inhabitants was accomplished in a number of cruel and barbarous ways:

Estimated Jewish population: 1,800

Transports and deportations to an unknown address (primarily death in Treblinka, the 10th Fort in Bialystok, or other locations:
850

Surrendered or captured and transported to the Bialystok Ghetto (to be killed later):
650

Shot on sight or when captured:
150

Subtotal:1,650

Number of Jews whose fate is unknown, Including a small portion who miraculously survived:
150