Census of Wojewodztwo Bialostockie 1923
Obtained by Roseline Glazer from Tomasz
Wisniewski, author of the book, Jewish Bialystock & Surroundings
in Eastern Poland.
Data are presented in both Polish and French. In
what follows, I have attempted to translate from the French.
Commentary has been provided for, in order to facilitate assembly of
knowledge. -JSB
ZELWA
A small town in the Volkovysk district, seat of the Justice of the
Peace, and the Tribune d’Arret (Constasbulary(?)) [of] Grodno.
Population 2064 inhabitants. One kilometer [of?] the
Volkovysk-Baranovich [railroad] line. [Contains]:
A communal office
Two cathedrals: one Baptist, one Orthodox [rite]
Four synagogues
A regional hospital
Market day: Thursday
Fairs: Three times monthly
[Facilities]: Flour Mills [Mlyny], Sawmills
[Tartaki]
A volunteer fire-fighting
corps
Occupational Listings
Polish Spelling
English Rendition
Commentary
Doctors
Chajecki, Wl.
Chayetzky,
Vladimir Wl. Seems to be an
abbreviation for Wlodzimierz recognized by Faygel Garber who said he
was non-Jewish. She felt he had not provided good medical care to
her mother.
Merchandising Agents (possibly Jobbers)
Bojarski, L.
Boyarsky, L.
Mildred identifies a
Boyarsky family whose daughter, Dina, was the closest girl friend to
her aunt Minne (Shapiro) Fox.
Gelman, M.
Possible relative of existing Gelman families.
Question is: which one?
Midwives
Kisielewska, M.
Pharmacists
Aystetten, K.
Banks
Bank Ludowy (not a person – an
institution) The “National”
Bank
Manufacturers of Concrete Products
Wilenczyk, Sz.
Possible relative to
Friedman/Bereshkovsky families.
Carpenters
Szelkowicz, I.
Zelikovich,
I. Can this
be Isser Zelikovich?
Werner, K.
Cap Makers
Borowski, J.
Kuliszewski, G.
Recognized by Faygel as “Getzel der
Kirzhner.”
Nowik, M.
Faygel believes he made trousers.
Fabric Dyers
Salman, H.
Szapiro, L.
Shapiro, L.
Leib Shapiro, Philip’s
grandfather, and Mildred Ragosin’s uncle.
Practical Medics
Wesolucha, P.
Hairdressers
Golub, J.
Wiszniewski, E.
Vishnievski, E.
Haberdashers
Borodzicka, Ch.
Borodetzky, Chana
Not to be confused with Borodovsky,
relatives to Faygel Garber & her sister, Rachel Borodovsky. My
guess is that would be spelled Borodowska in Polish.
Goldberg, C.
Szwejski, B.
Shveyski, B.
Zakhejm, W.
Zackheim, Velvel
(?) Mildred suggests they owned
the “department store,” in town, and were “well-to-do.”
Potters (other ceramic products?)
Arjowicz, R.
Aryovich, R.
Bojarska, Ch.
Boyarski, Chana (?)
Tea Merchants
Janowska, F.
Kaplan, F.
Peker, Z.
Hoteliers
Indychsztejn, J.
Indichstein, J.
Shoemakers
Bekensztajn, I.
Beckier, M.
Suspect relative to Beckers, possibly Morris Spector & Sol
Phillips. Recognized by Faygel.
Falkowicz, H.
Falkowitz, H.
Frejdzin, J.
Freidin,
Joseph This must be Joseph
(Yussel) Freidin, the shoe manufacturer, relative to the Freidins
and Bereshkovsky families.
Savings & Loan Institutions
Kasa Spoldzielcza (name of an
institution)
Cafes (Coffe Houses)
Lisiecka, Ch.
Lisietzky, Chana
Grocers
Arkin, R.
Bekensztajn, B.
Berestowicka, D.
Might this be a Polish
rendition of Bereshkovsky ?
Bialostocki, B.
Bialostotzky, B.
Bublacka, F.
Bubletzky,
F. Suspect
relative to Freidins in Israel
Falkowicz, M.
Falkowitz, M.
Falpern, J.
Faygel suggests possibly “Halpern?”
Graczuk, R.
Recognized by Faygel
Kaplan, Ch.
Lewin, (initial obscured)
Lipsztajn, L.
Peszkin, L.
Recognized by Faygel
Polaczek, Ch.
Ratna, F.
Ratner, Rotner,
F. Suspect Fradel Ratner,
emigrated to Israel and lived in Petakh Tikvah. Letter-writer for
Bubbeh Laskeh Freidin (katvanit).
Szapiro, Ch.
Shapiro,
Chana Suspect Shapiro family
relative.
Szelkiewicz, B.
Suspect Zelikovich
Cooperatives
Kooperatywa w Zelwie
Wolkowyski Okregowe Stow.
Spoldzielcza
Blacksmiths
Bajbus, J.
Bilczyk, H.
???skin, M.
Szulak, W.
Shulyak
Shulyak (Shalev) family
relative? Mildred confirms the occupation, and suggests the name
Itchkeh.
Tailors
Barkon, P.
Eljowicz, Sz.
Lew, I.
Lev, I.
Relative of Lev Family?
Lipski, R.
Lancewicki, I.
Lantzevitzky, I.
Lantzevitzky/Lance /Lantz Family Relative?
Lancewicki, L.
All Lantzevitzkys
recognized by Faygel
Lancewicki, S.
“
Marel, S.
Recognized by Faygel
Siedlecki, H.
Wiszniewski, B.
Vishnievski, B.
Faygel thinks he was a barber.
Cooking Utensils
Blacher, Ch.
Recognized by Faygel
Painters (artistic)
Czelowicki, M.
Chelovitzky, M.
Weavers
Bykowicki, B.
Bikovitzky, B.
Epstejn, B.
Epstein, B.
Kaplan, M.
Lejbowicz, S.
Leibowitz, M.
Lewin, Ch.
Levin, Ch.
Lancewicki, I.
Lantzevitzky, I.
Suspect relative as above
Szturmankiewicz, L.
Zakhejm, L.
Zackheim, L.
Machinery
Bekenstejn, J.
Beckenstein, J.
Pupko, A.
Poupko, Abba
Very likely this is Abba
Poupko, referenced in the Zelva Memorial Book.
Flour Merchants
Lewin, Sz.
Levin, Sz.
Lifszyc, M &
H. Lifschitz, M.&H.
Perelmutter, A.
Spektor, L.
Suspect relative to Spectors?
Mechanics
Lippert, G.
Milk Cooperative
Mleczarnia Spoldzielcza
(institutional name)
Milk Merchants
Rafalowicz, E.
Flour Mills
Borodicki, A.
Borodetsky, A.
Masons
Kowalewski, A.
Notnicki, J.
Petroleum Products
Wajsbord, A.
Bakers
Alpert, R.
Chutrycki, Ch.
Fajngold, D.
Recognizerd by Faygel
Lunska, G.
Melamed, Ch.
Recognized by Faygel
Pajkowicz, S.
Mention of a Feikowitz (Peikowitz) in the ZMB. Recognized by
Faygel.
Siedlecka, B.
Zajaczyk, F.
Zakhejm, T.
Liquor (Beer) Delivery
Ratne, G.
Wiszniacka, Sz.
Restaurants
Izylowski, J.
Popielinski, M.
General Merchandise
Blacher, P.
Szulman, J.
Schulman, J.
Recognized by Faygel.
Possibly Joseph.
Butchers
Frejdin, A.
Freidin,
Avraham Very likely my
grandfather Benjamin’s older brother. Note variant in Polish
spelling: Frajdzin/Frajdin.
Frejdin, I.
Freidin, I.
One of two
possibilities: either Itchkeh Freidin , or his cousin, Itcheh Jonah
Freidin, both of whom were butchers.
Notnicki, I.
Salucki, Ch.
Salutzky,
Ch. Suspect
relative of Philip Shapiro, via his mother, Liba Salutzky Shapiro.
Faygel thinks this is Choneh (Honya) Salutsky.
Wiszniewski, D.
Faygel recognizes this
as David Vishnievski , who was hung by the Nazis.
Silage (Hay)
Blizninski, I.
Saddlery & Stools
Nowikowski, J.
Szylowicki, Ch.
Leather Products
Bekenstejn, J.
Lewnton, H.
Pintelewicz, M.
Recognized by Faygel.
Szelupski, Z.
Maroquinerie
Bekenstejn, I.
Bekenstejn, L.
Greases
Manski, M.
Recognized by Faygel.
Spiritual Products (Denonimation Unspecified)
Kadziolko, M.
Foodstuffs
Ajnstejn, E.
Einstein, M. Recognized
by Faygel
Chazan, M.
Epsztejn, J.
Epstein, J. Recognized by
Faygel
Grazewska, Ch.
Recognized by Faygel
Kaniszewska, B.
Kaplan, I.
All
Kaplans recognized by Faygel
Kaplan, K.
Kaplan, W.
Kopelewicz, Ch.
Maiden name of Rachel,
wife of Jacob Freidin, son of Eliezer (Leizer) Freidin,
presumed to be the daughter of a Zelver Rabbi.
Matlowski, A.
Recognized by Faygel
Mowszowicz, M.
Mavshovitch,
M.. Family name of second husband to Bubbeh
Genendel Freidin (nee Rubinstein). She was known to have operated a
“grocery,” but it is unclear that this was in Zelva or in
Bialystock.
Noznicka, R.
Noznitzky, R.
Oguszewicz, J.
Prager, C.
Pupko, A.
Poupko, Abba Suspect:
Recognized by Faygel
Szerach, D.
Szkolniowska, S.
Szypiacki, G.
Zlotnicka, R.
Zlotnitzky, R.
Feminine ending. Family name known to
Faygel through Nosatsky family marriage.
Zlotnicki, M.
Zlotnitzky, M.
Carpenters
Gerenburg, I.
Putresza, W.
Coordinators (not clear in what sense – Cordonniers??)
Bekier, N.
Berniker, M.
Bobowik, Sz.
Dziembrowski, L.
Kankiewicz, N.
Konkevitz, N.
Kankiewicz, S.
Konkevitz, S.
Suspect Shmuel Konkevitz, referenced in
ZMB, relative to Barbara Neibauer. Problem: why S. and not Sz?
Korewicki, M.
Kozlowski, J.
Kozlowski, Sz.
Losowski, Sz.
Osttrynski, H.
Pomieraniec, J.
Pomerantz, J.
Suspect connection to
descendants of Lottie Pomerantz Spector.
Szkolnik, H.
Wiszniewski, B.
Vishnievski, B.
Wiszniewski, Sz.
Vishnievski, Sh.
Cloth (literally shmaty in Polish, chiffon in French– the rag
trade!)
Wisniacki, E.
Vishniatsky,
E. Recognized by Faygel
Locksmiths
Bekenstajn, J.
Feldman, J.
Sawmills
Borodicki, H.
Borodetzky, H.
Confirmed through a variety of sources.
Mejerowicz, I.
Innkeepers
Ratner, L.
Grain
Ajnsztejn, M.
Futrycki, B.
Futritzky, B.
Identified as Berel dem
Dayan’s by Mildred Ragosin. Father of Sonia Futrytcki, Mildred’s
best girl friend, who perished in the Holocaust. The Dayan, appears
to be Rabbi Jacob Futrytcki, whose other son, David, married Hasia
Faygel Freidin, and is the progenitor of the Canada & Israeli
Ritz families. Berel’s family in Israel changed their name to Orion
(Uryon).
Helman, R.
Suspect Helman/Gelman
relative
Salucki, A.
Salutzky, A.
Suspect relative to Phil Shapiro via
maternal lineage. Recognized by Faygel.
Sudolnicki, A.
Tobacco
Stankiewicz, J.
Woznicki, J.
Watchmakers
Ratner, H.
Wiszniewski, A.
Zelman, Sz.
Recognized by Faygel.
Iron (meaning not clear – blacksmith, ironmongery???)
Dajchowski, A.
Lewin, S.
Szulak, L.
Shulyak, L.
Suspect relative to Shulyak/Shalev
families. Recognized by Faygel.
Wolsztejn, J.
Recognized by Faygel.
The census also identified the following towns (or hamlets) in the
vicinity, that were apparently served by the “county seat” (or its
equivalent?) In Zelva:
Cholostowo, Horewicze, Krzywowokonna, Nowosiolki, followed by the
French word Briquetteries, for reasons not immediately apparent.
This refers to brickmaking facilities, which are then repeated later
in the listing.
Property Owners (Landlords, perhaps)
Anisko, Anna
(Berezki 92)
Maybe this refers to 92 units in the Bereshko Forest.
Jankowska, Wiera
Jankowsky, Vera 196
Jarocki, Winc.
(Mloduchowo 192) I am certain that this is
the forest where Yerachmiel Moorstein was born and raised. His
Hebrew rendition caused me to translate this as Medukhova. It
could easily have been Mledukhova, since it is a function of the
Polish pronunciation rather than spelling. Mark Moorstein has
corrected my misconception, and indicated that this area is indeed
distinct from Medukhova, based on his first-hand research in Belarus
during his trip there.
Maliszewski, Jan
(Korzysc 94)
Plawska, Joz.
(Jozef?)
(Ch. 137)
Ramotowski, Ant.
(Anton?)
(H. 335)
Zdziechowska,
Salomea
(Karolin 491, Mloduchowo 216)
Brickmaking Works
Kowalewski, A. (Ch.)
Putresza, C. (Ch.)
Iron Forges
Byczek, S. (Ch.)
Flour Mills
Dabrowski, F. (Ch.)
Pitch Manufacture
Kaniszewska, B. (N.)
Foodstuffs
Kauczuk, M. (K.)