Family Ashmele

Family Notes...Hyman Herzfeld and Betsy Farber.

Hyman Herzfeld (great-grandfather)...

According to records held at the Latvian State Archives, it is quite likely that Chaim Herzfeld is the son of Wulff Herzfeld, son of Itzig Herzfeld, son of Hirsch Herzfeld. However, this cannot be confirmed as the records do not include birth or marriage certificates prior to 1854.  The recruits enlistments of Mitau, Latvia contains information about the Herzfeld family; Wulff Herzfeld, aged 18 in 1845, is mentioned. 

Chaim was most certainly married to Esther-Beile Farber. However, the marriage records for the Jewish community in Mitau for 1872, 1873 and 1875 do not contain an entry for Chaim or for Esther-Beiler; the marriage records for 1869-1871 and for 1874 have not survived. 

Chaim, a cabman, and Esther-Beile (also known as Betsy) had (at least) 11 children over a period of 20 years and two countries. According to the Latvian State Archives, Simon Wulff (b.1875), Sarah (b.1877), Irle aka Edith (b.1879), Braine aka Uncer (b.1881), Channe aka Annie (b.1886), and Jonas (b.1889, d.1891) were born in Mitau. Joseph (b.1884), twins Rachel and Rose (b.1891) and Moses aka Murray (b.1893) were probably born in Latvia also, whilst Lillian (b.1898) was most certainly born in England.

Chaim and his family emigrated to England during the 1890s, settling in London's East End where he worked as a fruiterer and mineral water manufacturer. At the time of the 1901 UK Census, Hyman (as he now called himself) and his family lived in Rupert Street, Mile End Old Town.

About 1908, Hyman emigrated to USA with his wife and some of their children, settling in New York. Nothing further is known of Hyman, who died about 1926, or his wife.

Betsy Farber (great-grandmother)...

Esther-Beile Farber (also known as Betty or Betsy) of Mitau, Latvia was married to Chaim Herzfeld and had at least 11 children over a period of 20 years and two countries.  She emigrated to England with her husband and children during the 1890s, and then to New York, USA about 1908. Nothing further is known of Esther, who died about 1926, or her husband.

 Page last updated  ..  17 February, 2006