WE REMEMBER THE POOR AND THE RICH, The WORKER AND THE MERCHANT...

GABIN List of Jewish Surnames, from a Polish Bussines Directory.
(Warsaw - Bydgoszcz 1925).

(Ksiega Adresowo Handlowa, Warszawa - Bydgoszcz 1925 - 1928?).

Translated by Meir Holcman , edition and introduction by Ada Holtzman, 12/08/97.

Jewish leather workers ikn Gombin, 1909.
Source: The Shtetl Book, by Diane and David Roskies

Introduction

Every human being has a name... and behind each name exists a whole world...

In June 97, following a correspondence through the Internet, I received a list of surnames and the initials of the first name, according to trade, as appeared in an official Polish Business Directory around 1925 , 1928(?), according to the cities, for the region of Warsaw- Bydgoszcz .

Gombin appears in this book, as "GABIN", its name in Polish, in pages 1969 and 1970 of that book.

It is possible to imagine the magnitude of that directory, if "GABIN" list is published in page 1969 and 1970...

The number of 5777 as the number of all the population in Gombin (with the number of 2564 of Jews in the town - 44%) appear also in "Pinkas Hakehilot", in the year of 1921, based on Polish census which was set up that year in Poland. This hints to the fact that may be the data which the directory contained was collected earlier than 1925 or 1928, year of its publication. It reflects the commercial, economical and social structure of Gabin in the 20's. It points also to the well known historic fact that in Poland, at this period, there was decisive majority of Jews in the domain of commerce, and also in some fields of craftsmanship; much more than their general rate in the popluation itself which was about 10% only according to the census of 1921 (2.8 million out of 28). The special position of the Jews in the economy, thus created hostility and anti-Semitic feelings by the Poles, in the whole country and in Gabin in particular. In Gabin, the competition led the Poles to establish cooperative shops, but the Poles themselves preferred still to buy at the Jewish shops. Out of total number of 283 names recorded in the Business Directory, we could decipher 182 Jewish names, 64%...

My father has translated the trades, and the introduction of the list which contains general information about Gombin in the 20's. Then we scanned all the surnames and the initial of the first name, including the non - Jewish, Poles and German "Folks - Deutche" who lived in Gombin in the 20's and were registered in that directory.

The list revives the memory of all our people, and the life of our ancestors.

The 4 estates-village surrounding Gombin, mentioned in the introduction of the list, can be described in details, their buildings and inhabitants... and the woods surrounding all... The streets of Gombin, the markets, the people, old friends, neighbors, family members, working and making a living, a vivid community comes to life...

When it says in the introductory just: "1 synagogue" - how can one describes the splendor and beauty of this synagogue, unique in its wooden architecture and interior art known in all Poland... how many memories are related to the "Schul" which was burnt by the Nazis immediately upon their occupation...

It brings back the memory of Yom Kippur in the shtetl, and all the Jews, solemn, excited, wrapped by "Talit and Tfilin", gathered together, in the grand synagogue, (not like in the ordinary Shabat when they used to pray in the neighborhood synagogues, according their trade: the "schul" of the tailors, or the cobblers etc.), united in the traditional practice and praying together in dedication. Khasidei Gur with Khasidei Radzymin and Khasidei Alexander, Bundists and Zionists, Communists and Beitarists, Hashomer Hatzair and Maccabi youth, Poalei Zion Left with Poalei Zion Right, rich and poor, old and young.... One people...

Recalled are the stories about the great wooden art works of old Yankele Hodys, and the masterpieces he added, piece to piece (mainly lion relieves) to the existing grand synagogue interiors, near the "Aron Kodesh"....

The list contains all the names of the surnames of the given profession, including the local Poles and "Folks Deutche". There were many "Goy'im" with whom the Jews were involved and had commercial and daily connections.

Sad thoughts are coming to my mind, about the role those local Germans played later, during the Holocaust, and the historical necessity to investigate thoroughly their part in the sufferings of the Jews in the occupation and the liquidation of their previously peaceful neighbors and associates.

There were our family members, behind those names. Each one provided living for the family, and is not just an anonymous name in a lost and forgotten directory. Each one provided a living for a whole family.

Due to the total destruction and tragic end of our people in the Holocaust, those surnames carry the memory of living images walking in the streets of the small town, creating that rumor rising from the fairs "each Thursday", rushing around, argue passionately with enthusiasm of those days, breath and work hard to make a living, receive by memory a new extra meaning.

It is an incredible material, with historical value. A panoramic photograph of the shtetl with all its livings, the economical and commercial structure.

There are endless stories which can still be told about the Gombiners families but it need a lot of thorough research and documentary work which cannot be completed in a short time, before the Annual Meeting in August 97. The task of documenting on the professions and life in the shtetl will be giant, and my father waits for other Gombiner elders, still live among us in their golden age, to contribute from their memory and experiences to completion of such a research, a holy work for the sake of history and all descendants of Gombin.

The list of trades is essential in understanding the shtetl life and genealogical research. Many trades were carried out from generation to generation and often, in the genealogical research, the "Trade" of the family was the Identity of the person and was one of the sources of the surname of his family. It is, mainly important when there is more than one family line in this small town.

We can learn from the list also the correct Polish spelling of the original family name, which was later changed in many cases, but the original spelling was the names in the vital records still available in Polish archives.

Many of the trades have totally disappeared from modern life, like "pots menders", "wheelwrights" "makers of spats for shoes" and others. So with this list we can have a glimpse of a lost economic world, gone for ever with the rapid technological development of the 20th century, a world in which our ancestors struggled to survive in means which we cannot even imagine already... but find its evidence in this documentary list.

The memories and writing of Jacob M. Rothbart whose family immigrated to America in the beginning of the 20s century, come into my mind. He described so brilliantly the reality of life in Gombin.

In his article "A monography of the Shtetl Gombin", published in the Yizkor book of Gombin, we can learn a lot about the social, cultural and economical background of the life in Gombin in the beginning of the century.

Apparently nothing has been changed later within the next 25 years, after Rothbart emigrated from Poland. , In his powerful expressive style and picturesque language, , the landscape of Gombin with its streets and buildings, woods and stream, the trade fairs, the noise of the sellers and the smell of the market are visualized and one can really feel the lost life flowing through Rothbart acute and eloquent tongue... and the historical "proof" to what Rothbart describes, is this business directory list...

The surnames have human souls behind... and families, and neighbors, and friends, and a community, the community of our beloved lost shtetl Gombin... Our roots are plotted in those orderly arranged lists, the Polish authorities published over 70 years ago, for completely different reasons, mainly commercial. Now, it became a "treasure" of valuable genealogical and historical data, but also might rise personal sentiments and nostalgia in everyone.

Gombin is a mirror to all the lost shtetls in Poland... Our ancestors are recorded, in the most accurate fashion, and while the Nazis destroyed nearly all the Jewish vital records of Gombin, we can derive a lot of historical information with whatever is found, and this directory is one of them, to be valued by all of us, who care to learn about our family and community history, and commemorate our people memory.

 

Notes on the List

1st. column:

The trades or occupations in Polish. The Polish is written in English characters, and the original list is attached in the front page of this paperwork.

2nd. column:

The translation of the trades to English. In the original list appears also a French translation.

3rd. column:

All the surnames and the first letter of the first name of all those who were recorded in Gabin to have a specific profession in the time of the directory (around 1925).

We marked the Jewish names with a small Star of david, near the surname! We apologize in advance, if any Jewish surname was overlooked , and again, wish that other Gombiner elders will check the list in order to update it in the future..

4th. column:

The full first name. Where it was possible and rememebred, we wrote down the full first name, since in the published list appears only the initial of the first name! The name, thus recorded, might mean a lot to Gombiners and the descendants. We truly hope that by joint venture, other elders might remember the names not deciphered yet, and the list will be completed. Also we call descendants who have this information about their ancestors to contribute by their personal knowledge to this task.

We marked with an asterisk (*) all the words which are not surnames (corporations, associations or companies).

Than we made a second list, based on the original, which contains the Jewish surnames only, and is sorted out according to the profession, for easy reference.

The introduction in the list has important historical value as well, and we have scanned also the original Polish version. Please note that there is also the French translation in the original document.

We truly hope it will be of great value to all of us, who are seeking their roots, and shall always remember from where we came...

Gabin (Polish)

  • Miasto (z przesmiesc.: kielniki, Golonka, Paczkowka, Przydatki),
  • pow. Gostynin,
  • siedziba sadu pok.,
  • sad okr Plock
  • 5777 mieszk.
  • (16 km) Lack,
  • linja kol. Kutno - Plock
  • Gabin
  • Magistrat Gostynin.
  • 1 kat.,
  • 1 ew.,
  • 1 synag.
  • Ambulatorjum miejskie.
  • Elektrownia miejs.,
  • rzeznia miejs.
  • Zw.

o        kupcow,

o        rzemieslnikow,

  • zw. zawodowy pracownikow miejskich, cechy:

o        szewcow,

o        rymarzy

o        rzeznikow,

o        stelmachow,

o        mlynarzy.

  • T a r g i: co czwartek.
  • Mlyny,
  • Garbarnie
  • Cegielnie i torfiarnia miejska.
  • B u r m i s t r z : Stefan Kesicki.
  • S t r a z o g n i o w a o c h o t n. K o m e n d a n t: Franc. Pietrzak.

Gabin (English translation)

  • A city (with suburbs-estates: Kielniki, Golonka, Paczkowka, Przydatki).
  • Gostynin district.
  • Magistrate court of Law.
  • District Court of Law is in Plock.
  • 5777 habitants.
  • The railway station is 16 km distance.
  • The train line is Kutno - Plock.
  • Gabin: Post Office, Telephone operator, Mill4
  • Municipality Gostynin.
  • 1 Catholic Church.
  • 1 Protestant Church.
  • 1 Synagogue.
  • Municipal Ambulance.
  • Local electric power station.
  • Municipal abattoir.
  • Associations:

o        Merchants,

o        Craftsmen.

  • Professional Corporation of the city workers:

o        Shoemakers,

o        Saddlers

o        Butchers

o        Wheelwrights

o        Carpenters

  • Trade Fairs every Thursday.
  • Mills
  • Tanneries
  • Brickyard
  • Municipal peat production.
  • Mayor: Stefan Kesicki.
  • Fire brigade volunteers Commander: Franc. Pietrzak.

 Gabin Business List, 1925,
the Professions & Occupations.

Trade (Polish)

Trade (English)

Surnames and initial of first name

First name

(WHEN RECORDED)

Lekarze

doctors, physicians

YDziewczepolski A. dr.

Korzynski K. dr.

 

Adwokaci

advocates,

Pietrzak Fr.

 

Notarjusze

notary

Maciejko Mar.

 

Akuszerki

midwife

YKalmus F.

krolikowska M.

 

Apteczne sklady

drugstores

Modzelewski E.

YRewzyn E.

 

Apteki

pharmacies

Barchwic R.

 

Banki

banks

Bank Ludowy, Sp. z o. o *

 

Bednarze

pots menders

Szymansky L.

 

Blacharze

blacksmith, sheet iron works.

YLaski M.

YLaski T.

YLaski W.

YZielonka N.

YFrenkiel Sz.

Laski Meir

Budulec

building lumber

YGips

YWolfowicz

YGurkowski H.

 

 

Gurkowski Henry

Bydlo - handel

cattle merchants

YBell A.

YBell M.

YGostynski J.

YHolcman G.

YMonczyk N.

YPytel J.

Witkowski A.

 

 

Gostinski Jacob

Cegielnie

brickyard

YBrzezinski A.

Cegielnia Miejska

 

Ciesle

carpenter

Urbanski J.

 

Cukiernie

confectioner

YSzwarc M.

YTober D.

 

Tober David

Drob

poultry

YOpatowski J.

 

Ekspedytorzy

shipper

YSzwarc.

 

Elektrotechniczne artykuly

electric appliances

YHodys A.

Hodys Aron

Elektrownie

local electric power station.

Electrownia Miejska.

Municipality power station.

 

Farbiarnie

dyer

Weight M.

 

Farby

colors

YZamosc J.

 

Felczerzy

physicians

YSamulewicz E.

YSamulewicz M.

 

Samulewicz Mosze

Fotograficzne zaklady

photographers

YZandman C.

Zandman Chaim

Fryzjerzy

barbers

YOdera L.

YTaifeld H.

Odera Laib

Taifeld Herze

Galanterja

haberdashery

YBoczko C.

YFrydland G.

YGrinberg M.

YOpatowski R.

YPrawda F.

YSzapiro S.

YTadelis A.

YTyber J.

YWigdorowicz J.

YWolfowicz A.

YWolfowicz L.

YWolfowicz.

Borysiak S.

YWyspa S.

Boczko Chaim

 

 

 

Prawda Fawasz.

 

Tadelis Abram.

 

 

Wolfowicz Abram.

 

 

 

Garbarnie

tanneries

Berenc K.

Gloksin M.

Harsztok E.

Luszczynski T.

Szneider F.

 

Garncarze

potter

Jedrzejewski S.

 

Hafciarnie

embroidery

Elgiert

 

Introligatorzy

binderies

YFrenkiel M.

 

Jadlodajnie

restaurants

Krauze H.

YMilgrom G.

Sztelle A.

YTemerson M.

 

 

 

Temerson Mosze

Jaja

eggs

YBer J.

YFried A.

YTyber J.

YWyrobek A.

 

 

 

Wyrobek Abram

Kamasznicy

makers of spats for shoes

YBibergal J.

YBibergal M.

Hesler M

YZamosc L.

Bibergal Joine

 

 

Zamosc Laib

Kamieniolomy

stone carriers

Sztelle L.

 

Kasy pozyczk.-oszczedn.

loans and lease cooperative Banks

"Jednosc Ludowa", Spoldz z n. o. *. Kasa Spoldzielcza. Sp. z o. o. *

 

Kaszarnie

grains

Walman C.

 

Kinematografy

cinemas

cinema "Polonja" of :

YGrunbaum J.

 

Grunbaum Jakob

Klej

glue

YWajcman M.

Wajcman Mendl

Kolonjalne artykuly

colonial groceries

YFrydland Sz.

YGrynbaum J.

YHolcman R.

YKott L.

YLuszynski S.

YRozen I.

YTyber M.

YWrobel A.

YWrobel H.

 

 

Holcman Rasza.

Kott Leib

Luszynski Samuel

Rozen Izak

Kolodzieje

carts maker

Gralewski W.

Tomosik J.

Wojno A.

 

Konfekcja

confection

YGoldman G.

YHolcman D.

 

Konie - handel

horses merchants

YManczyk M.

Manczyk Mordechai

Kooperatywy

cooperatives

"gabinanka", Stow. Spoz.*

Powszechna Spozywcza* Spoldziekbia Robotnicza w Warszawie, oddz.*

 

Kosmetyczne artykuly

cosmetics

YZyg N.

 

Kowale

farriers

Kupiecki W.

Leskiewicz T.

Leskiewicz L.

Podczaski A.

 

Ksiegarnie

libraries

YEichel A.

Ksiegnia P. Macierzy Szkolonej - Public library

 

Krawcy

tailors

YBrzezinski A.

YFinkelstein I.

YFryszler M.

YKerber R.

YKon Sz.

Kroj R.

YKutkowski S.

YLurje Ch.

YLask J.

YLacki

YPelka I.

YPerczak A.

YPytel E.

YRozenberg M.

YTatarka M.

YTatarka S.

YTopial M.

YZolna M.

Brzezin. Abram.

Finkelstein Izak

 

 

 

 

 

Lurje Chaim

Kuchenne naczynia

kitchenware

YMotelinski Ch.

Motelinski Chaim

Kusnierze

furs sewers

Matys H.

 

Malarze

paints

Odra

Pluta J.

YTober S.

 

 

Tober Symcha

Maszyny do szycia

sewing-machines

YFrenkiel Sz.

 

Maszyny rolnicze

agriculture machines

"Rolnik" Spoldz. *

 

Manufaktura

textile

Borysiak S.

YFrydman M.

YGerman J.

YGips J.

YGoldberg M.

YGoldszmidt B.

YGrynberg E.

YJarlicht M.

YMroz L,

YSiekierka I.

Wigdorowicz J.

YWolfowicz A.

YWolfowicz M.

YGoldberg I.

YSzapiro Ch.

 

 

German Jacob

Gips Josef

 

 

 

Jarlicht Mosze

Mroz Laib

Siekierka Izak

 

 

Wolfowicz Marek

Szapiro Chaim

Meble

furniture

YRozenblum Sz.

 

Mleczarskie zaklady

dairies

Ska Mleczarska w Kamieniu *

 

Mlyny

mills

YBer M.

Binkowski W.

fott. P. i Rode D. (mot)10

Paczkowski I.

Sarnowski W.

Paczkowski A. (mot)10

 

Murarze

masons

Glezer Bcja

Wolburg F.

Zuchowicz S.

 

Muzyczne instrum.

music instruments

YGrynbreg N.

 

Mydlo

soaps

YFrenkiel M.

 

Nabial

dairymaid

YSzwarcz M.

 

Nafta

petrol

YSzajnbom A.

 

Nasiona

seeds

"Gabinianka",

Nasiona - nawozy - chemikalja f. C. Ultrich-Warszawa *

 

Nawozy sztuczne

fertilizers

"Rolnik", Spoldz.*

 

Nierogacizna - handel

pigs merchants

Szymanski F.

 

Obuwie

footwear

YBer A.

YMilgrom W.

 

Ocet - fabr.

vinegar producers

YFinkelstein

Sztelle H.

 

Ogrodnicze zaklady

farmers

Kazaniecki W.

 

Olejarnie

oil merchants

YStupai M.

Szczawinski L.

 

Piwiarnie

brasseries

YAurbach Ch.

YBrotman

YLizak J.

 

Piwo-hurt

beer - wholesale

Kuczynski F.

 

Powroznicy

rope maker

YKlinkowstein P.

Zelazo T.

 Klinkowstein Pinchus

Piekarze

bakers

YEtyngier Z.

YGelbert A.

Hazen L.

YLiberman Sz.

Polinski W.

YRogozinski G.

Rojewski K.

Rojewski M.

Rojewski Z

YRozenfeld A.

Wist H.

YZielonka Sz.

Etinger Szmil Meir

 

 

 

Rogozinski Godl

 

 

Prosb i tlumaczen biura

writers of petitions and translations

YHirszberg A.

YKerber C.

Hirszberg Abram.

Kerber Chaim.

Restauracje

restaurants

Gacinski J.

Kwiatkowski J.

Szejne A.

Wajs B.

 

Rolnicze artykuly

agricultural products

"Rolnik", Spoldz.11 *

 

Rolnicze narzedzia

agricultural instruments

Sztelle H.

 

Rowery

bicycles

YHodys A.

Hodys Aron

Rozne towary

various articles

Kolko Rolnicze

Sklep Miejski

 

Rymarze

saddlers

Kweiatkowski I.

Majewska

Menge O.

Ogniewski J.

Repsz J.

 

Rzeznicy

butchers

YBohl A.

YBohl M.

Gacinski I.

YBer M.

YKalinski Sz.

 

Samochodowa komunikacja

transportation

YBer M.

YKalinski H.

YStupai G.

 

Spirytualja

spirits

YHirszberg S.

 

Skory

leather

YFrydland Sz.

YGelbert B.

YGnat J.

YGurkiewicz E.

YKerber L.

YRak S.

YZychlinski Mordko

YZychlinski M.

 

Gelbert Ber Yehuda

 

 

Kerber Laib

Zychlinski Mordko

Stolarze

carpenters

Godlewski J.

Plazewski L.

Slowikowski W.

Stypulski T.

 

Studnie - budowa

well builders

Pietrzak P.

 

Szewcy

cobblers

YKalmus J.

Matusiak S.

Ruthowski J.

YSpiewak P.

 

Szklo i porcelana

glass and porcelain

YBibergal M.

Libfeld A.

 

Slusarze

blacksmith

YFrenkiel M.

YRozen Sz.

 

Tapicerzy

upholsterer

Ogniewski J.

 

Spozywcze artykuly

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Spozywcze artykuly

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Spozywcze artykuly

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Groceries

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Groceries

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Groceries

YBer Sz.

YBorensztein Ch.

YFrajzyngier M.

YFrenkiel Bin.

YFrenikiel Br.

YFrenkiel G.

YGielbert

YHolcman M.

Kobus

Minc M.

YPindek M.

YSanicka R.

YZajac I.

YZajdemann Ch.

YBorensztain E.

YGorkier F.

YManczyk R.

Szydlowska M.

YWand M.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sannicka Riwka Lea

Zajdeman Canna

 

 

Manczyk Rivka

 

Wand Mosze

Tartaki

sawmill

Sznajder F.

YGips A.

YWolfowicz A.

 

Gips Abram

Technicy dentystyczni

dental technicians

YSamulewicz M.

Samulewicz Mosze

Tkacze

weavers

YJarlicht J.

 

Tokarze

turners

Gill I.

Wilczynski W.

 

Torf - eksploatacja

peat production

Magistrat * (municipal)

 

Trykotaze

tricot

Sztelle A.

 

Tytoniowe wyroby

tabacco

Lubranski Sz.

YLuszynski H.

YSztolcman I.

YTemerson H.

 

Wedliny

sausages

Dyszkiewicz H.

Fortuna

Lendzion M.

Bachman L.

Stypolski T.

 

Wegiel

coals

YBohl M.

Jankowski I.

YTyber F.

 

 

Tyber Faiga

Wiatraki

windmills

Gersztenkorn H.

 

Zboze

grains

YFuks Sz.

YGlikzeligier M.

YKerber H.

Laideman Ch.

YTober E.

YWrobel H.

YWyspa I.

 

Glikzeliger Mosze

Kerber Hershel

Zduni

stove-setter

Pokorski Z.

 

Zegarmistrze

watchmaker

YGoldsztajn Sz.

YRabinowicz B.

YSpiewak N.

 

Zelazo

iron

YChajak M.

Jankowski I.

Szczawinski M.

YSztolcman E.

YSztolcman J.

YWolman G.

YPrawda P.

 

 

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Last updated 03.02.2014 (first posted 4.5.1998)