Hittin' the Bricks with Kathleen

Unraveling Roots: Revealing Kaufman Ancestral Secrets

• Kathleen Brandt • Episode 7

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E201  On this first episode of Season 2, join us on an enlightening journey as we explore the world of DIY genealogy with our inspiring guest, Ronnie, a dedicated teacher from Farmingdale, Long Island. Roni  joins Kathleen for a session that sorts out four Samuels, the Salvation Army, and why assumptions are the arch enemies of genealogy heroes. 

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John Brandt:

Ladies and gentlemen from the depths of flyover country in the heartland of America, the Kansas City on the other side of the mighty MO, welcome to Hittin' the Bricks with Kathleen, the genealogy show that features your questions and her answers. I am John, your humble hubby host, and on this first episode of Season 2, we'll be talking to Roni from the Empire State in Farmingdale, Long Island. So let's start Hittin' the Bricks. So, Kathleen, we're back. This is Season 2, and Roni is our first guest. It might be Season 3. Who knows, by the time we get to it, It's Season 2.

John Brandt:

We'll call it Season 2. It's our optimism in play right now. This is Season 2, the first episode of Season 2. And, Roni, you're from Farmingdale, Long Island. Is that what I remember?

Roni Kaufman:

Yes, I'm on the border of Nassau and Suffolk County.

John Brandt:

Now, i used to have a friend and we used to go to the Wanta Inn, which is a little bit different from the Wanta Inn It's a restaurant.

Roni Kaufman:

So right next to the Wanta Inn, on the same block, is also a big venue called Mocay.

John Brandt:

It's interesting because I was shocked that years after because this was 1980s that I was going to the Wanta Inn So it was forever ago And then I was really shocked to see that it still exists. Yes, it does May as well have some things to outlive you. Yeah, i imagine there's going to be a lot of things that outlive me, a lot of things. Okay, so maybe I should let Kathleen have a go at this.

Kathleen Brandt:

I was going to say are you all?

John Brandt:

going to reminisce forever. We're just going to chat about the.

Kathleen Brandt:

New York. I lived in New York and I didn't have any of these fun things in Long.

John Brandt:

Island. She didn't go to the island.

Kathleen Brandt:

So now, John, the last time I spoke with Ronnie, she had a broken leg, I believe.

John Brandt:

Oh no.

Roni Kaufman:

Is that true? Yeah, I'm actually a teacher and I was putting up a bulletin board and fell on my knee and I broke my knee and my ankle. So I am recovering from that, but I am doing so much better and going to physical therapy twice a week. So thank you for remembering that.

Kathleen Brandt:

Well, I'm glad you're doing better. That's wonderful. Thank you so much.

John Brandt:

What grades do you teach?

Roni Kaufman:

I teach elementary school.

John Brandt:

So were there students in the class when you took your tumble?

Roni Kaufman:

No, thank goodness there wasn't. I was actually putting up the board in the hallway in between classes doing it, so thank God nobody had to see me fall. And then the ambulance came and they snuck me out the back door.

John Brandt:

And how long have you been teaching?

Roni Kaufman:

I've been teaching since I was a kid. I was in early childhood classes and I went to CW Post and got my master's in education And then I worked down along Long Island a little bit and then I worked for New York City Board of Education for 13 years Oh wow.

Kathleen Brandt:

That's great. Thanks for that, yeah.

John Brandt:

So you're in this room, or is it education in general.

Roni Kaufman:

Yes, i'm certified to teach on nursery through sixth grade, but after looking at different grades, i love to teach kindergarten in first grade because that's the foundation of learning. So I love to teach kids how to read and write and get them excited about learning.

John Brandt:

The real teaching, the real hard work comes in that, basically K through 12, is that it's so foundational And if you don't make inroads there you've got a real hard road to hoe after that point.

Roni Kaufman:

Absolutely, And because of that they've started to realize that it's really important to give that foundation to children. So they are training a lot of teachers on how to do reading, how to do phonics, how to do songs and symbols and all kinds of things. It's really great because also, if we just look back in history and the way that we learned, there's a special way to count on your fingers certain letters and sounds, and they've been teaching these core values for a very long time. So now they're starting to realize that early childhood is so important and plays so important for children to do so well going forward.

John Brandt:

Yeah, and again I'll echo Kathleen Thanks so much for the dedication and doing that, because a lot of times, teachers are the unsung heroes and especially, i think, the K through 12 group and the people who make a true difference are those ones that are 100%.

Kathleen Brandt:

And I'm going to think that both of you need to stop and have a beer together so that we can get home with the show. Okay, Okay.

John Brandt:

Okay, let's get to your questions and her answers. So I'm going to let that happen Here. We'll do an elementary thing, i'll raise my hand, and so now I'll become quiet.

Kathleen Brandt:

Thank you, john, thank you Ronnie, i'm going to let you start. I want you to tell us about a little bit about your family and why you called in to hit in the works with Kathleen.

Roni Kaufman:

Okay, hi, kathleen, i'm so happy to be here And my name is Ronnie Alicia Kaufman and my father was Jack Donald Kaufman And he worked for the Daily News and retired there for many, many years And unfortunately my dad is deceased and my mom is deceased. But just like we were just talking about education, i remember learning in school, you know, doing my family tree back in the day, so I had a lot of information but I couldn't remember everything. So I got on to ancestrycom and I decided that I wanted to create a family tree and look further in my history maybe long lost cousins, uncles, where I came from and for off until I started looking army because salvation or Christian organization th came in and your family w.

Kathleen Brandt:

I assumed your family was them, so of course I assume was actually Jewish and I because the family might symbols but they might h symbols, but they might h identify as Jewish. But th?

Roni Kaufman:

Okay, So that is not new, very interesting too, beca house. From what my parents just found it so interesst work for a Christian orde gift. You know I'm saying to you is did they belong was because my mom had a God used to mail them to, would have all the inform year.

Kathleen Brandt:

So one of the things at the end is a little bit God can help you, and how t itself. Your grandfather else's tree looking for a is a mixture of three to f and four Samuel Kaufman's Now. I know that because I is your family, you're go a little extra hang on Y this is another case.

Roni Kaufman:

maybe it was a proliferation of exactly Well unfortunately, with the passing of my m, great down in the family, great down in the family S between everybody Sure question was who were the Nathan Kaufman and the oth those actually I have, tho I do not want all my listen.

Kathleen Brandt:

I do not want all my listen. This much work normally b born between 1893 and 1897. I wanted to make sure I h already know about everyb already know about everybo. Is the Salvation Army You of 25 November 1895, which it is the wrong person Y of his cultural also beca his cultural also because a particular date they st country. We don't know b where we're starting Ron the right birthday. She h do, you have, you do have of anything.

Kathleen Brandt:

I mentioned t. I'll make sure you have it. The correct date of death Yes, so normally I would for you to unscramble and a social security applica all got social security an So they actually filled o. The number one key to genealogy is to pull the original documents. You have a marriage index on your tree. That is the correct marriage index On the original marriage document. It names his parents for you And it names her parents. So there is nine. It's just that little small hint. She would have got a whole another generation, actually two other generations on a Lillian side and a Lillian side the wife of Samuel.

Roni Kaufman:

Because Anna was a popular name and it was spelled a couple of different ways. And Samuel was a popular name too, and it was that's why there was so many of them. Plus, i also found that, you know, that's why we're confusing, you know, because of the duplicate names at that time.

Kathleen Brandt:

Exactly. That would make it quite confusing. But, as I said, we have a primary document where he filled out his own marriage record And with that marriage record, samuel tells you on his marriage document that his father's name is William and his mother's name is Jeannie Waskowitz. And he tells you that. And then Anna Kronich's parents are also named as David, and I believe you had theirs correct on your tree. These marriages are named here, this couple, your great name.

Roni Kaufman:

David? and what was the other name, david? and It looks like Rose.

Kathleen Brandt:

Brooks Yes, ok, ok, i think I saw this on your tree correctly Her names. But I will make sure you get a copy of the original marriage record.

Roni Kaufman:

Awesome.

Kathleen Brandt:

Thank you. Later I was able to go in one more generation for you and find Jeannie Waskowitz's parents' name. Now, jeannie was the mother of Samuel. Her parents' names are listed on her death certificate Oh, you'll have that also. And their names were Mendel, mendel and Bella Beautiful. Now, one of the things you did mention was the brother named Charles. You are correct in that. First of all, let's start with the family itself. The family are Russian Jews, and they came over with quite a few children born in Russia. Samuel was born in New York, so was Charles, and so were a couple of the other children. So one of the other issues I think that you asked was about the children. What have you known about the children in general? Anything except Charles.

Roni Kaufman:

I knew about Charles, but I also knew there was a judge And I wasn't sure what his name was. I was able to research and find two judges with the council name, but I couldn't connect it, so do you remember the name of the judges The two that your option was?

Roni Kaufman:

It's on the tree. I don't know if I had it written here. I know that they were Supreme Court judges And, like I said, i remember the princess and the family, but I really just know the connection. I don't remember And I know you've mentioned a princess twice.

Kathleen Brandt:

What are you referring to as a princess? In one of the countries in Russia or Prussia, i think his cousin was a and that I have, we have, yet We're still in New York research, but as you go b something that comes up w.

Roni Kaufman:

Yeah, i find it very hard outside of New York. And them the names you know.

Kathleen Brandt:

I couldn't confirm those that you will help you. A genealogical society reso that everyone, of course. D your case there's three which will have a lot of death records. Everything had turned in. Yeah, you of Jewish gen dot org, an still want to look under dot gov record which is records.

Roni Kaufman:

Now I tried to ge from New York City dot gov but they wouldn't give it. I didn't have enough inform. I definitely have the pound.

Kathleen Brandt:

I'll give it a try to get talked a little bit more on your dad, your dad Ye for president of the telli was Yes, that's what tha. That's wonderful, yes, and a lot about who he was. A forth about them always w and petlers. Yes, one of that I got from your rec War War one draft. You h two draft card but, war.

Kathleen Brandt:

w one big hint on there, he that his mother has to be. that's how I knew that his prior to 1917. So Samuel s a dependent. So now I'm l household with Samuel wh live in 1920 census. Mhm, did you find?

Roni Kaufman:

that World War.

Kathleen Brandt:

I found it, but I couldn't o dot com, or many of them are, search If you don't have of it, and it's free. Yeah, before 19, 17. Matter of f, died in 19 oh eight, i wil option where I think this job at this point was try the four Samuels.

Kathleen Brandt:

So Jenny her own if he passed away birth for Charles Any ch quite a bit on Charles door to his mother in 19 married and in the house Samuel, Annie and Franny for a Jenny and for his. Now I'm going to have to to make sure I'm not mix the state for his mother did. It was the other chil the census records were case Really, yeah, they also the 19, 10 and 1920 F. we have her death record.

Roni Kaufman:

Oh yes, it gives you every.

Kathleen Brandt:

Oh yes, it gives you every shoot. And the best thing we found a nickname for W went by the name Wolf and is in the house. Yeah, no state census record, so list it in the 1905 and t senses also awesome.

Roni Kaufman:

Lots like it.

Kathleen Brandt:

Wonderful. So, john case, i have so much inform she has at this point I t do is I'll send you a copi. I pulled and you could. J as I said she had eight names in America, because will find those in the sin and in Russian record and for you and the reason we is because of when the ch America, but that does ta naturalization record.

John Brandt:

bec of this information is on season two, and so can you fold.

Kathleen Brandt:

Three is fold three records, but it also has a. It's a database, that's correct.

John Brandt:

Impressing people with that in Holland, china.

Kathleen Brandt:

And so, john, after Ronnie goes and she exhausts all of the US information, she can get Ronnie. At that point you'll want to go to the Russian state historical archive And you can get a lot of stuff again online. Okay, you can also write to them, okay, awesome.

Roni Kaufman:

Did I.

John Brandt:

I thought you were going to say after Ronnie exhausts all of her avenues and all the research, then she'll want to go for a nice refreshing beverage at the Wantai.

Kathleen Brandt:

No, that's not what I was going to tell you either, ronnie has a lot of work to do So. Ronnie, one of the other things I want to make sure that you don't overlook, and that's ad-tresses. On the side of the census records, it tells you the house number and normally a street number or street name rather. So that street name and the house number is going to help you. For example, I was able to find your family and connect them by the address of 982 Prospect.

Kathleen Brandt:

That is where Samuel was married, and later I see his mother there also, so we were able to follow this just using again census records. Awesome, not delve into things like city directories. I want you to look at those in New York. Most of those are at the library. You go downtown in New York City. You all have the most fabulous genealogy section at the big public library and that I love to hang out there And there's people that can help you. There's also a lot of resources that you have right at your fingertips.

Roni Kaufman:

Yes, Now one of the things with the Salvation Army. was there any other clues there about how we got the job, or anything.

Kathleen Brandt:

I do not have the Salvation Army records. However, as you already mentioned, the Salvation Army headquarters is in New York. So you might be able to contact them and let them go through the archival records. I have used their archival records a lot through email and they are excellent at responding.

Roni Kaufman:

I appreciate so much. You've done such a wonderful job, Like in the, you know, adding the bricks onto my ancestry. I appreciate it so much. I was missing some information to help me dive deeper into my family history And it sounds like you were able to make connections for me to be able to look back through the year to the point of when they immigrated here from Russia. Thank you so much. I'm so happy. You guys are great.

John Brandt:

Thanks, Ronnie. Thank you for participating. It's always enjoyable to meet new people and you've been absolutely wonderful.

Kathleen Brandt:

Really appreciate it, Oh thank you And Ronnie, thanks for joining us here at Hittin' the Bricks with Kathleen.

John Brandt:

Well, congratulations, you've made it to the end of another episode. Thanks so much for staying. Thanks to Ronnie from Long Island for her questions. Thanks to Chewy Chewbacca Brand, our part-time cable holder and full-time stinky boy, for his unwavering lack of interest in anything we're doing. The theme song for Hittin' the Bricks was written and performed by Tony Fischnuckle and the Max Watch for their next appearance at the restaurant at the end of the universe. You can find us on Apple, spotify and, of course, buzzsprout. We'd love to hear what you think about the podcast, so stop by our Facebook page at Hittin' the Bricks and let us know.

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Kathleen Brandt

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John Brandt

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