Lomza and Grajewo

Located in present day eastern Poland, Lomza is both a city and the gubernia (province). The city is located approximately 80 miles northeast of Warsaw and 49 miles) west of Bialystok. Our maternal grandfather Isadore Schneider was born there and married his first wife, Brajna Tauba Rozental there in September 1904. She died that same year (about 27 years old). Isadore was religously educated and was a Cantor as well as a tailor. He had also served in the Czar's army and was likely a bugler and a cornet player. In 1906 Isadore married Chana Sarah Czarnolefski, "The Girl From America".

 

Chana Sarah was born in Grajewo (often written Grayeve, which is closer to the Yiddish pronounciation), a town in Lomza gubernia about 40 miles from the city of Lomza. She had immigrated to the U.S. at age 14 years old in 1900 to live with her maternal aunt and uncle in Syracuse, NY. On the death of her father, some time in or 1905 probably) Chana Sarah returned to Grajewo to be with her family.  People from all around the town came to visit "The Girl From America". One of those people was Isadore, who was smitten with her and proposed to her.  She agreed but only if he would agree to return with her to America. In August of that year they arrived together at Ellis Island. Chana Sarah was already about five months pregnant.

 

Historically, Lomza and Grajewo were part of the Pale of Settlement, the region established by the Russian Empire to confine Jewish residents. Russia had acquired much of Polish territory which included Lomza and Grajewo during the Second Partition of Poland in 1793. Our family routes can be traced back to nearby shtelach of Piontnica and Szczuczyn in the late 17th century.

 

Further information can be found at the following links and reference therein:

Lomza

Grajewo

Piatnica

and Szczuczyn