Person Page - 41

Judith Mehaloff was born on 24 May 1938 at Perth Amboy, New Jersey.^1,2

Judith Mehaloff appeared on the 1940 Federal Census of Perth Amboy, Middlesex County, New Jersey in the household of her granduncle and grandaunt, Harry Segal and Hannah Yowell, her parents, Theodore Herzl Mehaloff and Florence Seader, and her cousins once removed, Israel Segal and Ruth Segal, at 198 Lewis Street. The official date of that census was 01 April 1940. She is listed as age 1, single, not attending school, had not completed any schooling, and was born in New Jersey.³

Judith Mehaloff married Marc Jacobs circa 1960.⁴

Judith Mehaloff died on 18 January 2004 at age 65.² Judith Mehaloff lived in Rochester, Monroe County, New York, at the time of her death.²

Judith Mehaloff's Social Security Number was 147-30-0033, card issued in New Jersey.²

Florence Seader was born on 15 October 1909.³

Florence Seader married Theodore Herzl Mehaloff, son of Ezra Mehaloff and Freidal Segal.

Florence Seader lived in 1940 at 559 Cornell, Perth Amboy, Middlesex County, New Jersey.⁴

Florence Seader appeared on the 1940 Federal Census of Perth Amboy, Middlesex County, New Jersey in the household of her husband's uncle and aunt, Harry Segal and Hannah Yowell, along with her husband, Theodore Herzl Mehaloff, Judith Mehaloff, the daughter of Teddy and Florence, and her husband's cousins, Israel Segal and Ruth Segal, at 198 Lewis Street. The official date of that census was 01 April 1940. She was listed as: age 30, married, did not attend school during March 1940, had completed four years of college, born in New Jersey, and lived in the same place on 1 Apr 1935. She was employed but the number of hours she worked the week of March 24-30 1940 is not listed. Her occupation was listed as a teacher working in a public school as a government worker. In 1939 she worked 36 weeks, earned $1200, and did not have income in excess of $50 from sources other than wages or salary.⁵

From 1942 to 1949 Florence Seader lived at 198 Lewis Street, Perth Amboy, New Jersey.

In 1974, Florence Seader lived in a condominium near Fort Lauderdale, Florida, probably in a community called Lauderdale Lakes, Florida.⁶

Florence Seader died on 15 April 1994 at Silver Spring, Maryland, at age 84.³

Florence Seader's Social Security Number was 147-30-0590 (card issued in New Jersey.)³

Hannah Yowell was also known as by the forenames Anna, Anne, Hene, and Khana Hennie. Her maiden surname is sometimes given as Yovel. Her married surname was both Ziegelneitsky (in Russia, for the short time between her marriage and immigration) and Segal (after coming to the US). The 1915 New Jersey state census indicates Hannah Yowell was born in December 1885 in Russia (possibly in Andreyevka, Taurida Guberniya -- Andreyevka might be a town perhaps 8-10 miles northwest of Berdyansk). US Social security records list her date of birth as 15 Nov 1883.^3,4

Hannah Yowell married Harry Segal, son of Moses Segal and Reisel Golosoff, on 1 January 1906 in Russia.^5,6

Hannah Yowell entered the United States at New York, New York, on 3 March 1906 as part of an extended family consisting of Moses Segal, Reisel Golosoff, Harry Segal, Hannah Yowell, Constant Segal, Nathan Golosoff, Anna Segal and Jeannette Golosoff. They traveled on board the SS Chemintz, which was operated by the North German (Nord Deutsch) Lloyd line. They had sailed from Bremen, Germany on 17 February 1906. The Chemnitz passenger list indicates: (1) the group traveled as second class passengers; (2) they entered the US with $713 among them; (3) their final destination in the US was Perth Amboy, New Jersey; and (4) they intended to join a relative, Joseph Slobodien, a brother-in-law of Moses Segal, who lived in Perth Amboy, New Jersey.⁷

Hannah Yowell appeared on the census of 1910 at 264 Washington Street, Perth Amboy, Middlesex County, New Jersey.⁸

Hannah Yowell appeared on the New Jersey state census of 1915 at 444 Amboy Avenue, Perth Amboy, 6th Ward, Middlesex County, New Jersey.⁹ She was listed as a house-wife in the 1915 state census.⁹

Between 1915 and 1920 Hannah Yowell lived at 444 Amboy Avenue, Perth Amboy, New Jersey. This is almost certainly in an apartment over the stores operated by Harry and Constant Segal, although Harry may have sold his interests to Constant near the end of this time interval.

Hannah Yowell and Harry Segal appeared on the 1920 Federal Census of Perth Amboy, Middlesex County, New Jersey at 444 Amboy Avenue, enumerated 3 January 1920. The residence was listed as owned and mortgaged. They apparently lived above the dry goods store in one of two apartments listed in the 1920 census for the dwelling portion of that street address (it is unclear if there were only two apartments in the "upstairs" portion of the building or if there could have been more). The official date of that census was 01 Janurary 1920. Their children Sarah Segal, Ida Segal and Israel Segal were listed as living with them. Everyone in the household age 10 and above was listed as being able to read and write and to speak English. All of the children were listed as attending school.²

Between 1927 and c1934 Hannah Yowell is listed as living at 272 Market Street, Perth Amboy, New Jersey.

Hannah Yowell appeared on the census of 1930 at (272 Market St), Perth Amboy, New Jersey.¹⁰

Between 8 December 1931 and 19 December 1931 Hannah Yowell and Harry Segal were traveling from Naples, Italy to New York aboard the ship M/N Vulcana. The passenger list documents the origin (Naples) of the portion of the trip that terminated in New York. The starting point of the westbound trip was probably British Palestine (Israel) with a change of ships in Naples.

Between c1934 and c1937 Hannah Yowell and Harry Segal lived in British Palestine (Israel).¹

Hannah Yowell and Harry Segal traveled on 2 June 1937 from Trieste to New York aboard the Vulcania (this is probably the second leg of a trip that started in British Palestine, with a change of ships -- or possibly an intermediate stop -- in Trieste).¹¹ Hannah Yowell listed her address in 1937 as 440 Amboy Avenue, Perth Amboy, Middlesex County, New Jersey, (this was on a ship's passenger list for travel between Trieste and New York.)¹¹

In 1940 and 1942 Hannah Yowell lived at 198 Lewis Street, Perth Amboy, New Jersey.

Hannah Yowell and Harry Segal appeared on the 1940 Federal Census of Perth Amboy, Middlesex County, New Jersey at 198 Lewis Street, enumerated 8 April 1940. The home was listed as rented for $45 per month and not on a farm. The official date of that census was 01 April 1940. Their children Israel Segal and Ruth Segal were listed as living with them, as well as Harry Segal's nephew, Theodore Herzl Mehaloff, and his nephew's wife and daughter, Florence Seader and Judith Mehaloff. All adult household members were listed as having lived in the same place on 1 Apr 1935. Harry Segal and Hannah Yowell were listed as ages 60 and 56, respectively, both married, born in Russia, naturalized citizens, not attending school in March 1940, and both having completed one year of high school. Harry Segal was listed as unemployed and seeking work the week of 24-30 March. He is listed as having been unemployed for 35 weeks. His occupation was listed as laborer on a W. P. A. project as a government worker (this was probably his most recent employment prior to the census). During 1939 he worked 26 weeks, had wage income of $370, and he had other (non-wage) income in excess of $50. Hannah Yowell was listed as keeping house, not working for wages, and not seeking such work the week of 24-30 March. No occupation was listed for her. She did not work in 1939 and had no wage income, but she did have other (non-wage) income in excess of $50.¹² She is also listed in 1942 as residing at 105 Jefferson, Perth Amboy, Middlesex County, New Jersey.¹³

Hannah Yowell lived in 1942 at 198 Louise Street, Perth Amboy, Middlesex County, New Jersey, (the street name "Louise" is likely a typographical error for" Lewis").¹⁴

Hannah Yowell died in January 1969, possibly at Perth Amboy, New Jersey, at age 83.^15,16

Hannah Yowell's Social Security Number was 140-28-2109, issued in New Jersey between 1952 and 1954 (her last residence was listed as Belmar, Monmouth County, New Jersey.)⁴

Sarah Segal was born on 15 February 1907 in New Jersey.¹⁰

Sarah Segal appeared on the census of 1910 at 264 Washington Street, Perth Amboy, Middlesex County, New Jersey.³

Sarah Segal appeared on the New Jersey state census of 1915 at Perth Amboy, 6th Ward, Middlesex County, New Jersey.⁷ She was listed as a scholar in the 1915 state census.⁷

Sarah Segal appeared on the 1920 Federal Census of Perth Amboy, Middlesex County, New Jersey in the household of her parents, Harry Segal and Hannah Yowell, at 444 Amboy Avenue.⁸

Sarah Segal was listed as a member of the Gamma Chapter of the Iota Phi sorority in 1926.¹¹

Between 1927 and 1931 Sarah Segal was listed as living at 272 Market Street, Perth Amboy, New Jersey. She was listed as a student in the Perth Amboy city directory in 1927 and 1929.⁶

Sarah Segal appeared on the census of 1930 at 272 Market Street, Perth Amboy, New Jersey.⁵ She was listed as a placement secretary, social worker, in the 1930 census.⁵

Sarah Segal lived in 1931 at 272 Market Street, Perth Amboy, Middlesex County, New Jersey.² She was listed as a social worker at New York City in the 1931 Perth Amboy city directory.²

Sarah Segal married Maurice Kurzman in 1938.¹

Sarah Segal died on 18 August 1997 at Rochester, New York, at age 90.^12,10

Sarah Segal's Social Security Number was 110-26-0952 (card issued in New York).¹⁰



Notes and Observations: The information in the next several paragraphs was adapted [[by Carl Fields, who has added some material, which is usually indicated by double square brackets]] from The Segal Family History book, put together in 1984.

Oldest daughter of Henya and Hatz. Sarah grew up in Perth Amboy, New Jersey, graduated cum laude from New Jersey College for Women (later Douglas College), in New Brunswick. She worked in New York City for a social service institute until 1934 when she left to join her family in Palestine. In 1936 she returned to New York and continued in her former job until she married Maurice Kurzman in 1938. Douglas College is now (2017) effectively fully merged into Rutgers University academically.

Maurice, a "greenhorn from the Lower East Side", and Sarah met on a Mediterranean cruise to Palestine in the summer of 1934. Maurice returned at the end of the summer to continue his teaching career in New York City; Sarah stayed on ((for two years)) to work and live with her family who had recently migrated to Palestine. They were married in 1938, had two children: David and Vicki. They resided in Queens, NYC until 1974 when they retired to a condominium in Westchester County, New York. Since 1975, they have been spending their winters in Florida.¹

Ida Segal was born on 17 March 1909 in New Jersey.^1,10

Ida Segal appeared on the census of 1910 at 264 Washington Street, Perth Amboy, Middlesex County, New Jersey.³

Ida Segal appeared on the New Jersey state census of 1915 at 444 Amboy Avenue, Perth Amboy, 6th Ward, Middlesex County, New Jersey.⁶ She was listed as a scholar in the 1915 state census.⁶

Ida Segal appeared on the 1920 Federal Census of Perth Amboy, Middlesex County, New Jersey in the household of her parents, Harry Segal and Hannah Yowell, at 444 Amboy Avenue.⁸

Ida Segal was listed as a member of the Gamma Chapter of the Iota Phi sorority in 1926.¹¹

Between 1927 and 1931 Ida Segal was listed as living at 272 Market Street, Perth Amboy, New Jersey. She was a bookkeeper in the 1927 Perth Amboy city directory.⁵

Ida Segal appeared on the census of 1930 at 272 Market Street, Perth Amboy, New Jersey.⁴ She was listed as a burser, department store in the 1930 census.⁴ Her occupation was listed as assistant buyer in the 1931 Perth Amboy city directory.²

She moved to Israel (British Palestine) with her family circa 1934.¹

Ida Segal married David Meshoulam in 1935 at Tel Aviv, Israel.¹²

Ida Segal died on 18 October 1998 at Newton, Massachusetts, at age 89.¹⁰

Ida Segal's Social Security Number was 015-56-1034 (card issued in Massachusetts).¹⁰

Maurice Kurzman was born on 15 July 1909 in Romania.²

Maurice Kurzman married Sarah Segal, daughter of Harry Segal and Hannah Yowell, in 1938.¹

Maurice Kurzman died in June 1993 at Safern, New York, at age 83.²

Maurice Kurzman's Social Security Number was 083-22-5195 (card issued in New York).²

David Meshoulam was born on 24 December 1904 in Bulgaria.¹

David Meshoulam was in the shipping business with his brothers as agents for two shipping lines circa 1925 -1940 at British Palestine (now Israel).²

David Meshoulam married Ida Segal, daughter of Harry Segal and Hannah Yowell, in 1935 at Tel Aviv, Israel.²

After World War II and Israel David Meshoulam's occupation was listed as businessman, operating a ceramic wall tile factory and a bonded warehouse.

David Meshoulam died on 13 May 1976 at Tel Aviv, Israel, at age 71.¹

His forename was sometimes written as Yisrael and he was often known informally as Izzy. Israel Segal was born on 9 July 1914 in New Jersey.^1,9

Israel Segal appeared on the New Jersey state census of 1915 at Perth Amboy, 6th Ward, Middlesex County, New Jersey.⁴

Israel Segal appeared on the 1920 Federal Census of Perth Amboy, Middlesex County, New Jersey in the household of his parents, Harry Segal and Hannah Yowell, at 444 Amboy Avenue.²

Israel Segal appeared in one or more photos in the Perth Amboy Jewish History book. These photos were from the 1920s and 1930s.¹⁰

Israel Segal appeared on the census of 1930 at 272 Market Street, Perth Amboy, New Jersey.³

His occupation was listed as a salesman, A S Beck Shoe Company, at Perth Amboy, New Jersey, in the 1940 and 1942 Perth Amboy city directories.⁵

Israel Segal appeared on the 1940 Federal Census of Perth Amboy, Middlesex County, New Jersey in the household of his parents, Harry Segal and Hannah Yowell, at 198 Lewis Street. The official date of that census was 01 April 1940. He was listed as: age 25, single, did not attend school during March 1940, had completed four years of high school, born in New Jersey, and lived in same place on 1 Apr 1935. He was employed and worked 60 hours the week of March 24-30 1940. His occupation was listed as a salesman working in a shoe store as a paid worker. In 1939 he worked 52 weeks, earned $1300, and did not have income in excess of $50 from sources other than wages or salary.¹¹

Israel Segal lived in 1942 at 105 Jefferson, Perth Amboy, Middlesex County, New Jersey.¹²

His military "army enlistment record" is dated 17 September 1942. His enlistment location is given as Newark, New Jersey. His residence is listed as Middlesex County, New Jersey. He is listed as entering as a private, entering the service from civil life to serve for (essentially) the duration of the war. He is listed as born in 1914 in New Jersey. His education was given as "4 years of high school", civilian occupation: "salesperson", and he was listed as single, with dependents. His height was listed as 65 inches and his weight as 158 pounds.¹³

Israel Segal lived in 1945 at 150 Gordon Street, Perth Amboy, Middlesex County, New Jersey.⁷ His occupation was listed as salesman in the 1945 Perth Amboy city directory.⁷

Israel Segal married Shirley Shimmel, daughter of Isadore Shimmel and (?) Fannie, in 1949 at Newark, Essex County, New Jersey.¹⁴

Israel Segal lived circa 1954 at Metuchen, New Jersey.¹

Israel Segal died in April 1985 at Metuchen, New Jersey, at age 70.⁹

Israel Segal's Social Security Number was 141-07-9053 (card issued in New Jersey).⁹

Solomon S Bernards was also known as Sol. He was born on 14 May 1914 at Chicago, Illinois.^4,2

Solomon S Bernards appeared on the 1920 Federal Census of Montgomery, at Orange County, New York in the household of his father, Solomon Bernards, at 88 Orange Avenue.³

Solomon S Bernards married Ruth Segal, daughter of Harry Segal and Hannah Yowell.

Solomon S Bernards died on 9 November 2004 at Rockville, Maryland, at age 90.^1,2 He was buried at Beth Israel Cemetery, Woodbridge, Middlesex County, New Jersey.¹ He lived at Rockville, Maryland, at the time of his death. His obituary listed a previous residence as New York, New York.¹

Solomon S Bernards was a rabbi.¹

Solomon S Bernards's Social Security Number was 346-03-8163 (card issued in Illinois.)²

Joel Abba Bernards was born on 11 November 1952.²

Joel Abba Bernards died on 25 December 1974 at age 22.²

From: Segal, Susan (Senior Editor), The Segal Family Tree, 1848-1984, BAFTO International (29 Irving Street #2, Cambridge MA 02138), Cambridge, MA, 1984. (This is an unpublished document, distributed among members of the Segal family. Information is current as of 1984. CCF incorporated the “stories” from the text of this document in August 2005 by scanning it, converting to a Microsoft Word document by means on a Optical Character Reader program, and then using “copy-and-paste” to “capture” this text.) --

(4.41) JOEL BERNARDS 11/11/52 to 12/25/74
Oldest child of Ruth and Sol Bernards. Joel attended college in Brooklyn, New York in accounting. One of his major hobbies was ham radio where he developed a sense of camaraderie with countless unseen friends. He was very excited about his trip to Israel when he was able to meet some of them.

Joel had a strong love of life, and his determination to overcome all difficulties characterized him. He died at the age of twenty-two while a senior in college. (As related by his mother, Ruth Bernards).

Coleman Louis Goff was also known as Butch (affectionately, by his first wife). He was born on 1 December 1915 at New York, Bronx County, New York.^3,4,5

Between 1940 and 1980 Coleman Louis Goff was a scoutmaster in New Jersey and California -- and probably also in Ohio during the year or so that he lived there, serving as a scoutmaster probably for well over 25 years in all. He was also, later, a district executive in Boy Scouts of America in California.⁶

Coleman Louis Goff lived in 1941 at New York, New York.³ A second occupation of "economist" was also listed for this time in other records; this might have been his major while doing some college work (or it could have been an transcription error from when his civilian occupation was convered to a numeric code for inclusion on an 80-character IBM-type card).The information in the surviving records in his personnel file identify at least two locations where he trained or was stationed in the US prior to being deployed in Europe: Fort Jackson, South Carolina and Fort Leonard Wood, Kentucky. In addition, a surviving record indicates he was transported to the United Kingdom via SS Athos II, a French freighter, which had been converted for use as a US troop ship, and which is known to have made one trip from New York to the United Kingdom.^3,5

His military "army enlistment record" indicates he enlisted on 3 April 1941. His enlistment location is given as New York City, New York. His residence is listed as Bronx, New York. He is listed as entering as a private, entering the service from civil life. He is listed as born in 1915 in New York. His education was given as "post-graduate" (probably meaning some education beyond high school), and he was listed as single, without dependents. His height was listed as 63 inches and his weight as 126 pounds. His civialian occupation is listed as tailor.⁷

Coleman Louis Goff married Freda Golosoff, daughter of Nathan Golosoff and Anna Segal, circa 1942.⁸

Only sketchy records of his service are available; most US Army personnel records from this era were destroyed in a storage facility in St. Louis, Missouri in 1973. At the time of his dischage, he was a Technical Specialist, Class 5 (equivalent to corporal), in the Headquarters and Service Company of the 12th Combat Engineers Batillion, which was attached to the US Army's Eighth Infantry Division.

Assuming he had been in this unit for the entire duration it had been in the European Theater, much of the following brief Eighth Division unit history would reflect his service and experience:

Arrived Overseas: 5 December 1943.

Campaigns: Normandy, North France, Rhineland, Central Europe.

Combat Chronicle:


After training in Ireland the 8th Infantry Division landed on Utah Beach, Normandy, 4 July 1944, and entered combat on the 7th. Fighting through the hedgerows, it crossed the Ay River, 26 July, pushed through Rennes, 8 August, and attacked Brest in September. The Crozon Peninsula was cleared, 19 September, and the Division drove across France to Luxembourg, moved to the Hurtgen Forest, 20 November, cleared Hurtgen on the 28th and Brandenburg, 3 December, and pushed on to the Roer. That river was crossed on 23 February 1945, Duren taken on the 25th and the Erft Canal crossed on the 28th. The 8th reached the Rhine near Rodenkirchen, 7 March, and maintained positions along the river near Koln. On 6 April the Division attacked northwest to aid in the destruction of enemy forces in the Ruhr Pocket, and by the 17th had completed its mission. After security duty, the Division, under operational control of the British Second Army, drove across the Elbe, 1 May, and penetrated to Schwerin when the war in Europe ended. Total of 266 days in combat.

Returned to U. S.: 10 July 1945.

An army division is, of course, a large organization with several component sub-units, not all of which would necessarily be at the some place at the same time. However, the brief description, above, likely provides approximate times and dates of his service (although there are some differences in available unit histories as to whether the 8th Division entered Normandy over Utah Beach or Omaha Beach (which was about 4 weeks after the initial landings -- it is possible that some portions of the division entered at each location).

He was discharged at Fort Dix, New Jersey on 1 Sept 1945. This date is consistent with family photographs taken around September 1945 in New Jersey, where he was wearing civilian clothes.^5,9

One story about his military service concerning his war service was that, near the end of the war in Europe, he (perhaps together with others in his Service and Headquarters company) was sent to Paris to "pick up" maps. The US forces were advancing so rapidly (and German resistance was clapsing so rapidly) that his division was "in danger" of advancing past the region covered in the maps they were using. This association with maps in the headquarters and service company of a Combat Engineering Batallion suggests the possiblity that the drawing and artisitc skills evident in his later life may have been used during his military service.¹⁰

Coleman and a partner owned a photography shop of some type (probably in Perth Amboy) after he (Coleman) was discharged from the army.¹¹

Coleman Louis Goff lived in 1949 at 272 Market Street, Perth Amboy, Middlesex County, New Jersey.² His occupation was listed as a draftsman in 1949.²

Circa 1951 Coleman Louis Goff and Freda Golosoff lived at Beaver Falls, Pensylvania.¹²

Circa 1952 Coleman Louis Goff and Freda Golosoff lived at Columbus, Ohio.¹³ Between c1952 and c1968 Coleman Louis Goff and Freda Golosoff lived at 5309 Monalee Avenue, Sacramento, California.¹⁴

Coleman Louis Goff was an architectural draftsman for state of California. His work between 1953 and 1975 supported the construction of public buildings to serve the large post-World-War-II population increase in that state.⁶

Coleman Louis Goff married Ilsa (--?--) circa 1980.

Coleman Louis Goff died on 18 September 2000 at Sacramento, California, at age 84.⁴

Coleman Louis Goff's Social Security Number was 050-14-1786 (card issued in New York).⁴

Joseph George Gumenik was born on 25 January 1910 in Brooklyn, New York.^1,4,3

Joseph George Gumenik married Sadie Golosoff, daughter of Nathan Golosoff and Anna Segal, on 14 February 1937 in at Manhattan, New York, New York.³

Joseph Gumenik appeared on the 1940 Federal Census of Borough of Brooklyn (New York City), at Kings County, New York in the household of his mother, Anna Prisonekoff, at 918 56th Street. The official date of that census was 01 April 1940. He was listed as: age 30, married, attended school during March 1940, had completed three years of college, and was born in Brooklyn, New York. No information was listed as to where he lived on 1 Apr 1935, his employment status, or his 1939 income. The three years of college is probably incorrect (too low), since he probably had a law degree at this time (although he never practiced law -- it's unclear if he was ever admitted to the bar).²

Joseph George Gumenik lived in 1942 at 272 Market Street, Perth Amboy, Middlesex County, New Jersey.⁵ He was a factory worker in 1942.⁵ On 19 February 1942 Joseph George Gumenik and Sadie Golosoff sold building lots in Woodbridge Township, Middlesex County, New Jersey, to Jeannette Golosoff.⁶

Joseph George Gumenik served in the military between 1942 and 1945 in the US Army.⁷

Joseph George Gumenik and Sadie Golosoff lived in Brooklyn, New York in the 1950s. They lived in Far Rockaway, New York in the 1960s and most of the 1970s, moving to Somerset, New Jersey around 1978. The lived the remainder of their lives in Sommerset, New Jersey.⁸

Joseph George Gumenik was a probation officer between c1956 and c1978 in New York City.⁷

Joseph George Gumenik died on 4 December 2002 at Somerset, Middlesex County, New Jersey, at age 92.⁴

Joseph George Gumenik's Social Security Number was 052-03-8399, issued in New York before 1951 (last residence listed as Somerset, Somerset County, New Jersey).⁴

She was also called Jeannie and Jennie. Jeanette Kramer was born on 16 October 1893 in New Jersey. Other birth dates appearing in various records include September 1892, October 1892, and 16 October 1894.⁶

Jeanette Kramer appeared on the New Jersey state census of 1895 at 3rd Ward, Perth Amboy, Middlesex County, New Jersey.⁷

Jeanette Kramer appeared on the 1900 Federal Census of Perth Amboy, Middlesex County, New Jersey in the household of her parents, Abraham Kramer and Sarah Levine, at 181 State Street.⁵

Jeanette Kramer appeared on the New Jersey state census of 1905 at Perth Amboy, 3rd Ward, Middlesex County, New Jersey.⁸ Her occupation was listed as "Sch." in the 1905 census, which probably indicates "scholar."⁸

Jeanette Kramer appeared on the census of 1910 at Perth Amboy, Middlesex County, New Jersey.²

Jeanette Kramer married Isadore Siegel, son of Moses Segal and Reisel Golosoff, on 28 July 1913 in New Jersey.^4,9

Jeanette Kramer appeared on the New Jersey state census of 1915 at 121 Market Street , Perth Amboy, 1st Ward, Middlesex County, New Jersey.¹⁰ She was listed as a housewife in the 1915 New Jersey state census.¹⁰

Jeanette Kramer lived in 1929 at 245 State Street, Perth Amboy, Middlesex County, New Jersey.¹¹

Jeanette Kramer appeared on the census of 1930 at 121 Market Street, Perth Amboy, Middlesex County, New Jersey.¹²

Jeanette Kramer died on 9 May 1934 at New York, New York, at age 40.⁶ She was buried at Congregation Shari Tephalo/Congregation Beth Mordecai Cemeteries, Florida Grove Road, Perth Amboy, Middlesex County, New Jersey.¹³ She lived at Perth Amboy, Middlesex County, New Jersey, at the time of her death.⁶

Notes and Observations:

The 1917-1919 Perth Amboy city directories list a Jeanette Kramer living at 136 State Street (130 State Street in some of these editions of the city directory). Her occupation was listed as music teacher. This is believed to be a different person than Jeanette Kramer Siegel. Circa 1917-1919, the Jeanette Kramer who was part of the "Segal Family" was married, so she is believed to be using her married name exclusivelyt that time. In addition, the Kramer family at 130 (and/or 136) State Street seems to have included other indivduals (including a Joseph and an Isaac -- Isaac may have died while serving in the armed forces in World War I). However, family folklore is that Jeanette Kramer Siegel had considerable musical talent and she is said to have been a "teacher" for a time. Thus, there is a small possibility that Jeanette Kramer Segal may have been giving music lessons (possibly under her maiden name) at a studio at 130 State Street. (Abraham and Sarah Kramer apparently owned several rental properties on State Street at various times. It is possible they could have made an apartment available to Jeanette Kramer Segal for use as a studio.)

Ralph Edgar Siegel was born on 12 May 1914 in New Jersey.¹

Ralph Edgar Siegel appeared on the census of 1915 at 121 Market Street, Perth Amboy, 1st Ward, Middlesex County, New Jersey.²

Ralph Siegel appeared in one or more photos in the Perth Amboy Jewish History book. These photos were from the 1920s and 1930s.³

Ralph Edgar Siegel appeared on the census of 1930 at 121 Market Street, Perth Amboy, Middlesex County, New Jersey.⁴

Between 1940 and 1949 Ralph Edgar Siegel lived at 245 State Street, Perth Amboy, New Jersey. He was listed as a physician in the 1940 Perth Amboy city directory.⁵

Ralph Edgar Siegel was in the US Army in 1942.⁶

His occupation was listed as physician in 1949 at 121 Market Street, Perth Amboy, New Jersey.⁷

Ralph Edgar Siegel married Gladys (--?--).

Ralph Edgar Siegel was practicing medicine in December 1968 at Perth Amboy, New Jersey.⁸

Ralph Edgar Siegel died on 20 August 2009 in Florida at age 95.⁹ Ralph Edgar Siegel was cremated with remains scattered at sea.¹⁰

Her name was listed as Annie Kramer in the 1900 census, suggesting her middle name was Ann or Anne.¹⁹ Esther A. Kramer was born in December 1894 in New Jersey.¹⁹

Esther A. Kramer appeared on the 1900 Federal Census of Perth Amboy, Middlesex County, New Jersey in the household of her parents, Abraham Kramer and Sarah Levine, at 181 State Street.¹⁸

Esther A. Kramer appeared on the census of 1910 at Perth Amboy, Middlesex County, New Jersey.²⁰ Between c1910 and c1935 Esther A. Kramer lived at 236 State Street, Perth Amboy, New Jersey.

Esther A. Kramer appeared on the New Jersey state census of 1915 at 236 State Street, Perth Amboy, 2nd Ward, Middlesex County, New Jersey.²¹ She was listed as a student a Trenton Normal in the 1915 New Jersey state census.²¹

Between c1917 and c1935 Esther A. Kramer's occupation was listed as a public school teacher (possibly a substitute teacher circa 1931) at Perth Amboy, New Jersey.

Esther A. Kramer appeared on the 1920 Federal Census of Perth Amboy, Middlesex County, New Jersey in the household of her parents, Abraham Kramer and Sarah Levine, at 236 State Street.¹⁷ Esther A. Kramer was was listed as a teacher in a public school in the 1920 census.¹⁷

Esther A. Kramer appeared on the census of 1930 at 236 State Street, Perth Amboy, Middlesex County, New Jersey.¹⁰ She was listed as a teacher, public school, in the 1930 census.¹⁰

Esther A. Kramer married Isadore Siegel, son of Moses Segal and Reisel Golosoff, circa 1939.²² Between 1939 and 1945 Esther A. Kramer lived at 245 State Street, Perth Amboy, New Jersey.

Esther A. Kramer and Isadore Siegel appeared on the 1940 Federal Census of Perth Amboy, Middlesex County, New Jersey at 121 Market Street, enumerated 12 April 1940. The home was listed as owned, valued at $7000, and not on a farm. The official date of that census was 01 April 1940. His children Shirley Eleanor Siegel and Natalie Siegel were listed as living with them. All household members were listed having lived in the same house on 1 Apr 1935. Isadore Siegel and Esther A. Kramer were listed as ages 55 and 44, respectively, both married, and both not attending school in March 1940. Isadore was listed as having completed 6 years of college, having been born in Russia, and being a naturalized citizen. Isadore was listed as employed and had worked 50 hours of work the week of 24-30 March. His occupation was listed as a medical doctor in private practice for his own account (self-employed). He worked 32 weeks in 1939, had no wage income, and had other (non-wage) income in excess of $50. Esther was listed as having completed 4 years of college and born in New Jersey. Esther was listed as doing housework, not working for wages, and not seeking such work the week of 24-30 March. No occupation was listed for her, no 1939 wage income was reported, and she had no 1939 other (non-wage) income in excess of $50.²³

Esther A. Kramer died on 28 May 1990 at Perth Amboy, New Jersey, at age 95.^24,25 She was buried at Congregation Shari Tephalo/Congregation Beth Mordecai Cemeteries, Florida Grove Road, Perth Amboy, Middlesex County, New Jersey. Her obiturary indicated she died at home. It also said she was a graduate of Trenton State Teachers College and Rutgers University. She taught eighth grade in Perth Amboy for many years. She was a co-owner of Best Fashions in Perth Amboy with her sister, Betty Kramer Heimlich, who predeceased her. She was a member of Congregation Shaarey Tefiloh in Perth Amboy, where she was a life member of the sisterhood. She was a life member and past president of the Perth Amboy Chapter of Hadassah and a charter member of the Central New Jersey Home for the Aged.^24,25

Gladys (--?--) married Ralph Edgar Siegel, son of Isadore Siegel and Jeanette Kramer.

Shirley Eleanor Siegel was primarily known as Eleanor.² She was born on 5 April 1920 at Perth Amboy, NJ. A different source document lists her date of birth as 2 April 1920.^3,1,4

Shirley Eleanor Siegel appeared in one or more photos in the Perth Amboy Jewish History book. These photos were from the 1920s and 1930s.⁵

Shirley Eleanor Siegel appeared on the census of 1930 at 121 Market Street, Perth Amboy, Middlesex County, New Jersey.⁶

Shirley Eleanor Siegel appeared on the 1940 Federal Census of Perth Amboy, Middlesex County, New Jersey in the household of her parents, Isadore Siegel and Esther A. Kramer, at 121 Market Street. The official date of that census was 01 April 1940. She was listed as: age 20, single, attended school during March 1940, had completed four years of high school, born in New Jersey, and lived in same house on 1 Apr 1935. She was a student, was not employed for wages and was not seeking such work the week of 24-30 March. No occupation was listed. She did not work any weeks in 1939 and had no wage income. She also did not have other (non-wage) income in excess of $50.⁷ Shirley Eleanor Siegel was a student in 1940.⁸

Shirley Eleanor Siegel lived in 1942 at 245 State Street, Perth Amboy, Middlesex County, New Jersey.⁹ She was listed as a musician in the 1942 Perth Amboy city directory. She graduated from Julliard in 1943 and thereafter was a self-employed piano teacher. in 1942.⁹

Shirley Eleanor Siegel married Francis Pavlovsky, son of Abraham Pavlovsky and Dorothy (--?--), on 22 December 1946.³

Shirley Eleanor Siegel lived in 1949 at 241 State Street, Perth Amboy, Middlesex County, New Jersey.¹⁰

Between 1950 and 2008 Shirley Eleanor Siegel and Francis Pavlovsky lived at Metuchen, New Jersey. They moved to Flemington in 2008.⁴ Shirley Eleanor Siegel lived in December 1968 at 19 Bounty Street, Metchen, New Jersey.¹¹

Shirley Eleanor Siegel died on 23 November 2012 at Flemington, New Jersey, at age 92. She died at her home.⁴ She was buried at Beth Israel Memorial Park, Woodbridge, Middlesex County, New Jersey. Her obituary noted she had been a founding member of Temple Neve Shalom in Metuchen and was a member of the sisterhood of the temple. She had been a volunteer for meals on wheels and a friend of the library in Metuchen. She had worked with Jewish Family Services in Middlesex County and lectured and toured for Brandies University.⁴

Personal recollections about Shirley Eleanor Siegel are described in an end note.^12,13

Francis Pavlovsky was born on 21 November 1917 at Perth Amboy, New Jersey.^8,9,10

Between c1918 and c1929 Francis Pavlovsky lived at 441 Amboy Avenue, Perth Amboy, New Jersey.

Francis Pavlovsky appeared on the 1920 Federal Census of Perth Amboy, Middlesex County, New Jersey in the household of his parents, Abraham Pavlovsky and Dorothy (--?--), at 441 Amboy Avenue.⁷

Francis Pavlovsky appeared in one or more photos in the Perth Amboy Jewish History book. These photos were from the 1920s and 1930s.¹¹

Between c1930 and c1942 Francis Pavlovsky lived at 224 State Street, Perth Amboy, New Jersey.

Francis Pavlovsky appeared on the census of 1930 of 224 State Street, Perth Amboy, Middlesex County, New Jersey.²

He graduated in 1934 from Perth Amboy High School, Perth Amboy, New Jersey. He graduated from New York University (NYU) in 1938 and from The University of Pennsylvania in 1942 with a D. D. S. degree.¹⁰ He was a student in 1940.⁴

Francis Pavlovsky appeared on the 1940 Federal Census of Perth Amboy, at Middlesex County, New Jersey in the household of his mother, Dorothy (--?--). The official date of that census was 01 April 1940. He was listed as: age 22, single, attended school during March 1940, had completed one year of college (which might actually refer to his haviing completed one year or post-graduae work), born in New Jersey, and lived in same house on 1 Apr 1935. He was not employed, worked 54 hours the week of March 24-30 1940, and was not seeking employment (probably because he was a full time student, although this is not clearly stated on the census form). No occupation is listed. He is listed as having worked zero weeks during 1939 and did not have any wage income or any other income in excess of $50 from sources other than wages or salary.¹²

During World War II he served in the US Army Medical Corps in the 10th Army field hospital. He served in North Africa, Italy, Germany, and France, receiving the purple heart and bronze star. He was a member of the first medical team entering the Dachau concentration camp.¹⁰

Francis Pavlovsky was in the US Army in 1942.⁵
Between 1946 and 1982, he worked as a dentist in his own practive on on State Street, Perth Amboy, New Jersey. He was a member of the Middlesex County and New Jersey Dental Associations.¹⁰

Francis Pavlovsky married Shirley Eleanor Siegel, daughter of Isadore Siegel and Jeanette Kramer, on 22 December 1946.⁸

Francis Pavlovsky lived in 1949 at 241 State Street, Perth Amboy, Middlesex County, New Jersey.⁶ In 1949 Francis Pavlovsky was a dentist at 245 State Street, Perth Amboy, New Jersey.⁶

Between 1950 and 2008 Francis Pavlovsky and Shirley Eleanor Siegel lived at Metuchen, New Jersey. They moved to Flemington in 2008.¹³

Francis Pavlovsky died on 29 October 2010 at Flemington, Hunterdon County, New Jersey, at age 92. He died at his home.^9,10 He had been a founding member of Temple Neve Shalom in Metuchen, New Jersey.¹⁰

Arnold Pavlovsky was born on 22 December 1948 at Perth Amboy, New Jersey.² Circa 2007 Arnold Pavlovsky's occupation was listed as a teacher.² As of circa 2007, Arnold Pavlovsky lived at Southamption, New Jersey.²

Arnold Pavlovsky died on 23 September 2012 at age 63. His death was sudden and unexpected.³ He was buried on 25 September 2012 at Route 1, Woodbridge, New Jersey.³

In the ~5 years prior to his death, he had two books about the US Civil War published in digital form (readable on handheld electronic devices and available from sources such as Amazon.com).

In Pursuit of a Phantom: John Singleton Mosby's Civil War

and

Riding in Circles: J. E. B. Sturat and the Confederate Cavalry.³

Natalie Siegel was born on 9 January 1925 at Perth Amboy, New Jersey.^1,3

Natalie Siegel appeared on the census of 1930 at 121 Market Street, Perth Amboy, Middlesex County, New Jersey.⁴

Natalie Siegel appeared on the 1940 Federal Census of Perth Amboy, Middlesex County, New Jersey in the household of her parents, Isadore Siegel and Esther A. Kramer, at 121 Market Street. The official date of that census was 01 April 1940. She was listed as: age 16, single, attended school during March 1940, had completed one year of high school, born in New Jersey, and lived in same house on 1 Apr 1935. She was a student, was not employed for wages and was not seeking such work the week of 24-30 March. No occupation was listed. She did not work any weeks in 1939 and had no wage income. She also did not have other (non-wage) income in excess of $50.⁵

Natalie Siegel married Gilbert D Potter.

Natalie Siegel lived in December 1968 at Livermore, California.⁶

Natalie Siegel died on 24 December 2000 at age 75.³

Natalie Siegel's Social Security Number was 149-16-0243, issued in New Jersey, before 1951.³

Gilbert D Potter was born on 23 May 1924 at Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.^2,1

Gilbert D Potter married Natalie Siegel, daughter of Isadore Siegel and Jeanette Kramer.

Gilbert D Potter was a radiation biologist at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory between 1963 and 1973.³

Gilbert D Potter died on 26 August 1999 at California at age 75.¹ He lived at Richmond, Contra Costa County, California, at the time of his death.¹

His Social Security Number was 310-44-6097, issued in Indiana.¹

Anna Glass was born on 4 July 1894 at Perth Amboy, New Jersey.^1,6,7

Anna Glass appeared on the 1900 Federal Census of Perth Amboy, at Middlesex County, New Jersey in the household of her parents, Max Glass and Lena Weilestein, at 193 State Street.⁵

Anna Glass appeared on the census of 1910 at Rahway Avenue, Roosevelt Boro, Middlesex County, New Jersey.⁸

Anna Glass married Constant Segal, son of Moses Segal and Reisel Golosoff, on 18 September 1915 at Manhattan, New York, New York.⁹

Anna Glass and Constant Segal appeared on the 1920 Federal Census of Perth Amboy, Middlesex County, New Jersey at 442 Amboy Avenue, enumerated 3 January 1920. The residence was listed as rented. They apparently lived above Constant's hardware store in one of two apartments listed for the dwelling portion of that street address The official date of that census was 01 January 1920. Their son Robert E. Segal was listed as living with them.⁴

Between 1920 and 1930 Anna Glass lived at 444 Amboy Avenue, Perth Amboy, New Jersey. This was almost certainly in an apartment over the Segal dry goods store.

Anna Glass appeared on the census of 1930 at 444 Amboy Avenue, Perth Amboy, Middlesex County, New Jersey.¹⁰

Between 1931 and (at least) 1955, Anna Glass lived at 137 Kearney Avenue, Perth Amboy, New Jersey.

Anna Glass and Constant Segal appeared on the 1940 Federal Census of Perth Amboy, Middlesex County, New Jersey at 137 Kearny Avenue, enumerated 10 April 1940. The home was listed as owned, valued at $10,000, and not on a farm. The official date of that census was 01 April 1940. Their children Robert Segal, Miriam Segal and Melvin Leonard Segal were listed as living with them. All household members were listed having lived in the same house on 1 Apr 1935. Constant Segal and Anna Glass were listed as ages 52 and 46, respectively, both married, not attending school in March 1940, having completed 4 years of high school, and having been born in Russia and New York respectively, with Constant being a naturalized US citizen. Constant was listed as working, having worked 55 hours, and not seeking work the week of 24-30 March. His occupation was listed as proprietor of a retail general store working on his own account. He is listed as having worked 52 weeks in 1939, no wage income was reported for him, but he did have other income (other than wages or salary) in excess of $50. Anna was listed as working, having worked 30 hours, and not seeking work the week of 24-30 March. Her occupation was listed as saleswoman of a retail general store working as an unpaid family worker. She is listed as having worked 40 weeks in 1939, no wage income was reported for her, but she did have other income (other than wages or salary).¹¹

Anna Glass died on 27 April 1990 at age 95.⁶

Anna Glass's Social Security Number was 138-10-8626 (card issued in New Jersey).⁶

Robert E. Segal was born on 16 March 1917. Born on the day Czar Nicholas was overthrown, apparently a significant day for Russian immigrant members of the family.¹

Robert E. Segal appeared on the 1920 Federal Census of Perth Amboy, Middlesex County, New Jersey in the household of his parents, Constant Segal and Anna Glass, at 442 Amboy Avenue.⁴ Robert E. Segal lived in 1930 at 444 Amboy Avenue, Perth Amboy, Middlesex County, New Jersey.⁵

Robert E. Segal appeared on the census of 1930 at 444 Amboy Avenue, Perth Amboy, Middlesex County, New Jersey.⁵

Robert Segal appeared on the 1940 Federal Census of Perth Amboy, Middlesex County, New Jersey in the household of his parents, Constant Segal and Anna Glass, at 137 Kearny Avenue. The official date of that census was 01 April 1940. He was listed as: age 23, single, did not attend school during March 1940, had completed four years of high school, born in New Jersey, and lived in the same house on 1 Apr 1935. He was listed as employed, having worked 40 hours, and not seeking work the week of March 24-30 1940. His occupation was listed as canvasser working on his own account (self-employed). In 1939 he worked 52 weeks, had no wage earnings, but did have income in excess of $50 from sources other than wages or salary.⁷

Robert E. Segal was USA (US Army) in 1942.²

Robert E. Segal lived in 1942 at 137 Kearny Avenue, Perth Amboy, Middlesex County, New Jersey.² He was USA (US Army) in 1945.³ He lived in 1945 at 137 Kearny Avenue, Perth Amboy, Middlesex County, New Jersey.³

Robert E. Segal married Muriel Blonstein. Robert E. Segal lived in 1949 at 137 Kearny Avenue, Perth Amboy, Middlesex County, New Jersey.^8
9Robert E. Segal was Sec, Puritan Paper Co, Perth Amboy, NJ in 1949.⁸

Robert E. Segal lived in December 1957 at Roselle, New Jersey.⁶

Miriam G Segal was born circa 1921 at New Jersey.³ She was born on 20 January 1921 according to the Segal Family Tree book. However, this appears to be incorrect, since she appears on the 1921 ceneus.⁴

Miriam G Segal appeared on the census of 1920 at 444 Amboy Avenue, Perth Amboy, Middlesex County, New Jersey.³

Miriam G Segal lived in 1930 at 444 Amboy Avenue, Perth Amboy, Middlesex County, New Jersey.³

Miriam Segal appeared on the 1940 Federal Census of Perth Amboy, Middlesex County, New Jersey in the household of her parents, Constant Segal and Anna Glass, at 137 Kearny Avenue. The official date of that census was 01 April 1940. She was listed as: age 19, single, attended school during March 1940, had completed four years of high school, born in New Jersey, and lived in the same house on 1 Apr 1935. She was a student, not employed, and not seeking work the week of March 24-30 1940. No occupation was listed. In 1939 he was not employed, had no wage ernrings, and did not have income in excess of $50 from sources other than wages or salary.⁵ Miriam G Segal lived in 1942 at 137 Kearny Avenue, Perth Amboy, Middlesex County, New Jersey.¹ She was Ofc wkr in 1942.¹ She lived in 1945 at 137 Kearny Avenue, Perth Amboy, Middlesex County, New Jersey.⁶ She was Ofc sec in 1945.⁶ She was Sten in 1949.⁷

Miriam G Segal lived in 1949 at 137 Kearny Avenue, Perth Amboy, Middlesex County, New Jersey.⁷

Miriam G Segal married Maurice Lipton.

Miriam G Segal lived in December 1957 at Plainfield, New Jersey.² She From: Segal, Susan (Senior Editor), The Segal Family Tree, 1848-1984, BAFTO International (29 Irving Street #2, Cambridge MA 02138), Cambridge, MA, 1984. (This is an unpublished document, distributed among members of the Segal family. Information is current as of 1984. CCF incorporated the “stories” from the text of this document in August 2005 by scanning it, converting to a Microsoft Word document by means on a Optical Character Reader program, and then using “copy-and-paste” to “capture” this text.) --

(7.2) MIRIAM (SEGAL) LIPTON 1/20/21
Second child of Constant and Anna. Miriam graduated from Douglass College (which was called New Jersey College for Women "back when". During the war she worked as a translator. Miriam has three children: David, Carol and Alan, and is presently working as an executive secretary. She has lived with her husband Maurice Lipton in North Plainfield, New Jersey since 1955.

Melvin Leonard Segal was born on 2 February 1928 at Perth Amboy, New Jersey.^2,3

Melvin Leonard Segal appeared on the census of 1930 at 444 Amboy Avenue, Perth Amboy, Middlesex County, New Jersey.⁴

Melvin Leonard Segal appeared on the 1940 Federal Census of Perth Amboy, Middlesex County, New Jersey in the household of his parents, Constant Segal and Anna Glass, at 137 Kearny Avenue. The official date of that census was 01 April 1940. He was listed as: age 12, single, attended school during March 1940, had completed three years of schooling, born in New Jersey, and lived in the same house on 1 Apr 1935.⁵

Melvin Leonard Segal lived in 1949 at 137 Kearny Avenue, Perth Amboy, Middlesex County, New Jersey.⁶ He was listed as a student in the 1949 Perth Amboy city directory.⁶

Melvin Leonard Segal married Elaine Offenbach in 1956.⁷ Melvin Leonard Segal lived in December 1957 at San Francisco, California.¹

Melvin Leonard Segal married Jean Pally Tepper, daughter of Charles Tepper and Ruth (--?--), in 1973.²

Melvin Leonard Segal died on 11 October 1997 at San Francisco, California, at age 69.

Melvin Leonard Segal's Social Security Number was 147-20-4487.

Elaine Offenbach was born on 11 May 1924 at San Francisco, California.¹

Elaine Offenbach married Alvin Rosenthal.

Elaine Offenbach married Melvin Leonard Segal, son of Constant Segal and Anna Glass, in 1956.²

Elaine Offenbach died on 10 September 1967 at age 43.¹

Alvin Rosenthal MIA in Korea.

Alvin Rosenthal married Elaine Offenbach.

Alvin Rosenthal died circa 1952.¹

Daniel Segal was born on 10 March 1960.¹

Daniel Segal died on 17 September 1978 in Israel at age 18.¹

Curtis Gordon Smith was born circa 1950.¹

Curtis Gordon Smith died on 28 February 2012 at West Mifflin, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania.²

Robert William Smith was primarily known as Bill Smith.¹ He was born on 7 June 1920 at Jarrow, County Durham, England.^1,3,2,4

Robert William Smith and Barbara Moody immigrated to the United States, arriving at New York, New York, on 16 September 1928 on board the SS Franconia, which had sailed from Liverpool, England on 8 Sept 1928. The ship was operated by the Cunard Line. They had traveled as steerage passengers and were coming to United States to be permanent residents. Robert and Barbara were listed as ages 31 and 8, respectively, both of English nationality, and both born in Jarrow, England, which was also listed as their last permanent non-US residence. Both were listed as able to read and write English. Her occupation was listed as housewife and his was listed as scholar. They were traveling under visas 22980 and 22981, issued in Liverpool on 1 Aug 1928.

Their final destination was listed as Wilson, Pennsylvania, and they had rail tickets to that destination. They stated they were on their way to join Robert William Smith, listed on the passenger manifest as “R. W. Smith,” her husband and his father, whose address was listed as 425 New York Avenue, Wilson, Pennsylvania. The elder Robert William Smith was also listed as the person who had paid for their tickets. He had immigrated to the US in May 1927. The name and address of the nearest relative in the country they had come from was John Oliver Moody, listed as J. Moody, 6 Chaytor Street, Jarrow-on-Tyne, who was Robert’s father and Barbara’s grandfather. Neither had ever previously been to the US. Barbara Moody and Robert William Smith together were in possession of at least $50. Both stated that they did not intend to return to England to reside permanently and that they intended to become US citizens. Barbara Moody was listed as 5 ft 6 in tall, with a fair complexion, fair hair, and blue eyes. Robert William Smith was listed as 3 ft 6 in tall, with a dark complexion, dark hair, and brown eyes.^5,6

Robert William Smith appeared on the census of 1930 at 425 New York Street, Clairton, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania.⁷

Robert William Smith became a naturalized citizen of the United States as a result of his father, the elder Robert William Smith (born in 1895), completing the naturalization process while he (the younger Robert William) was a minor. The elder Robert William had begun the process on on 4 May 1928 at District Court of the United States, Western District of (Pittsburgh) Pennsylvania,and probably completed it in the mid-1930s (the "final papers" for that naturalization have not yet been located as this is written in August 2017).⁸

He graduated from Clairton High School in 1937, at Clairton, Pennsylvania, with a “major course” in “vocational” (automotive shop work).⁹

Probably while still in high school, and also for a few years after graduation, he was employed (for five years total) in an occupation listed as “Greaser III”. He described his duties in that position as: ”greased all parts of autos using hand and air compressed guns, made minor repairs.”.⁹

Robert William Smith appeared on the 1940 Federal Census of Mifflin Township, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania in the household of his parents, Robert William Smith and Barbara Moody, living on Route 885. The official date of that census was 01 April 1940. He was listed as: age 19, single, did not attend school during March 1940, had completed four years of high school, born in England, was a naturalized citizen, lived in same house on 1 Apr 1935, was employed, and worked 48 hours the week of March 24-30 1940. His occupation was listed as attendant working at a gasoline service station as a private industry worker. In 1939 he worked 50 weeks, earned $864, and did not have income in excess of $50 from sources other than wages or salary.¹⁰

Robert William Smith married Ruth Inez McGowan, daughter of Gordon J. McGowan and Lucy M. Beam.¹

He was employed by the U. S. Steel Corporation at Clairton, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, between May 1942 and May 1944. This employer was also described as Carnegie-Illinois Steel Corporation. The Clairton Works may have been known by both names, or the name may have been changed during World War II (since US Steel was formed by merging companies owned by Andrew Carnegie and others in the early 1900s, US Steel would have owned the plant in Clairton in the early 1940s, even if the works there still used its original name at that time). His job at the steel company in the early 1940s was later described (on his military separation papers) as a “machinist (helper)” but was elsewhere described in more detail using the terms “metal machinist, operated engine lathe machining metal parts, set up own work, worked from blueprint specifications to close tolerances using micrometer and calipers ... (running) shaper, drill press, and gear cutter.” His weekly pay in early 1944 was $47.50.¹¹

In 19 April 1944 he was listed a 5 feet, 7 inches tall and weighing 172 pounds. This was apparently at a pre-induction military physical exam. This medical exam (along with a few later ones during his time in military) indicated he had a “healed primary complex in his left lung.” Primary complex is apparently the initial phase of tuberculosis (often contracted in childhood) that is commonly asymptomatic and has been halted by the body's immune system response against the bacteria, which limits its growth.^12,13

He was inducted into the US Navy on 27 May 1944 at Munhall, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania. His home address at that time was P. O. Box 56, Coal Valley, Pennsylvania (which was also the address of all of his dependents). He was married and had three dependents. He listed his religious preference as Presbyterian. His military induction/classification papers indicated he had a leisure time activity as woodworking and that he had served as an assistant Boy Scout scoutmaster. His military serial number was 924-57-03. His initial military pay rate as an Apprentice Seaman was $50 per month. (It is possible that "Coal Valley" was not the specific actual location of his residence, but rather a mailing address (the location of the post office that served the area where he lived).^14,15

He went through basic training at US Naval Training Center, Bainbridge, Maryland, between 27 May 1944 and 10 July 1944.¹⁶

In June 1944 (or perhaps July 1944), apparently while in Navy basic training, he was listed as 5 ft, 6 inches tall, and weighing 164 pounds.⁹ He appears to have had dental work done during July and August 1944 while stationed at Bainbridge, Maryland.¹⁷

He was apparently promoted to Seaman, 2^nd class, on 10 July 1944, at the end of basic training. He was on leave for 9 days (until 19 July 1944) following completion of his basic training.¹⁸

He was at the Naval Training Center, Gulfport, Mississippi, between 1 September 1944 and 1 December 1944. It appears that he attended Class “A” Basic Engineering School between 1 Sept 1944 and 27 Oct 1944, with his rating changed from Seaman 2^nd Class to Fireman 2^nd Class on 27 Oct 1944. In the Navy, at that time, “Fireman” was an engine room position –- the term is apparently derived from ships powered by steam engines “fired” by coal or oil. On 30 October 1944, he began attending Class “A” Diesel School, which was also at NTC, Gulfport, Mississippi. He completed that course on 1 Dec 1944, after which time (2 Dec 1944) his rating changed to Fireman 1^st Class (F/1c) Motor Machinist’s Mate (MoMM). The summary description of the MoMM rating is: "Operate machine tools. Operate and maintain internal combustion engines and engine auxiliaries." From that time (2 Dec 1944) onward, his basic monthly pay would probably have been $114 (Petty Officer, First Class).^19,15

On 2 December 1944, he was ordered to Receiving Barracks, Shoemaker, California, “to be assigned to duty where his specialized training may be fully utilized” (in the Pacific Fleet, apparently, based on the location of this receiving barracks). This receiving barracks was apparently part of a Navy Training and Distribution Center (TADCEN), one of a complex of Navy facilities then located within the current (as of 2017) city limits of Dublin, California (perhaps 20 miles east of San Francisco -- in a valley east of San Francisco Bay). He reported to this TADCEN on 7 Dec 1944.²⁰

After spending (apparently) about three weeks at TADCEN, Shoemaker, California, he was sent to the Pacific Theater of Operations. He was assigned to duty aboard the USS Dickerson (APD-21), reporting on board on 10 Feb 1945. At that time, USS Dickerson was in Ulithi. Smith had apparently been administratively assigned to ComServRon 10, based in Ulithi, between when he arrived there and when he was assigned to Dickerson (ComServRon seems to be an abbreviation for Commander, Service SquadRon). Robert William Smith’s military records do not indicate how he moved between TADCEN, Shoemaker, California, and Ulithi. He appears to have left the US on 26 Dec 1944, and arrived at Ulitihi on 23 Jan 1945.

Ulithi (Atoll) is the westernmost of the Caroline Islands, 360 miles southwest of Guam and 850 miles east of the Philippines. It consists of several small islands surrounding a large lagoon. Ulithi was established as a secret naval base for operations against the Philippines (occupied by Japan when the base was established) and Okinawa (which had been part of Japan for several decades). For about 7 months in late 1944 and early 1945, the lagoon at Ulithi was the largest naval anchorage in the world, based on the number of ships operating from there.^21,22

USS Dickerson was built as a “flush deck” Wickes class Destroyer. It was originally designated as DD-157 and was commissioned in 1919. After various types of service in the 1920s, 1930s, and 1940s, including the early years of World War II, it was sent to the Naval Shipyard in Charleston, South Carolina in August 1943 for conversion to a high speed transport (perhaps alternatively called something like “fast destroyer transport"). After this conversion, it was re-designated as APD-21. Robert William Smith served on board after this conversion and re-designation. The ship originally had 4 steam boilers (and, correspondingly) four “smoke stacks.” During the conversion, the two forward boilers (and their “stacks”) were removed to create berthing space for 120 marines. In addition, davits were added to enable the ship to transport and launch four 36-ft “Higgins”-type landing craft. Conversions of this type were done for a total of 17 Wickes class destroyers and for about 15 other flush deck destroyers belonging to other classes. The original rated (maximum) speed of Dickerson had been 35 knots. After the conversion, the rated speed was 25 knots (a slower top speed would be expected, due to the removal of two engines). This speed must have been higher than that of other types of troop transports in order for these converted ships to be called “high speed” transports.

The accompanying photograph of the ship with 4 stacks and the number 157 painted on the hull shows Dickerson in its original (4-stack) destroyer configuration (DD-157).^23,24,25

The other ship photo (below) shows Dickerson after it was converted to a (2-stack) high speed transport and re-designated APD-21. The caption on the lower portion of the “transport” photo contains a typographical error: the correct previous (“ex”) number was 157.

Robert William Smith served on board Dickerson as it supported the invasion of Iwo Jima on 19 Feb 1945. Dickerson later went from Iwo Jima to Leyte in the Philippines, transporting Japanese POWs (presumably the POWs were confined in spaces vacated after the US Marines, who had been on the ship, landed on Iwo Jima).

Dickerson next provided support to the invasion of Okinawa by joining a convoy assigned to transport marines to capture a small group of four islands called Keise Shima, about 5 miles offshore from Naha, the capital city of Okinawa Prefecture, which is near the south end of the main island (the Keise Shima island group is so small that it often not labeled on maps of Okinawa -– and is sometimes completely omitted). The mission was to place US Marine units with heavy artillery on Keise Shima to support the US invasion of the main island (Okinawa). The landings on Keise Shima were completed (without opposition) on 31 March 1945. The landings on the main island began the next day.

Near dusk on 2 April 1945, Dickerson was in a convoy of transport ships southwest of Okinawa when Japanese aircraft attached in strength. The timing and sequence of events that followed is somewhat confused. The following several paragraphs are an attempt to combine several (not althogether consistent) descriptions into a single narrative, which, hopefully, is fairly accurate.

The attack began around 1839 (6:39 PM -- the US Navy seems to have made log entries in local time during World War II, but that is somewhat uncertain). One Japanese plane (reported to be a Mitsubishi G4M, a land-based, twin-engine bomber, referred to as a “Betty” in US Navy reporting terminology) dropped at least one bomb aimed for Dickerson, which missed. That plane then intentionally crashed into the ship. It came at Dickerson from astern, slicing off the tops of the ship’s two stacks before striking the base of the bridge (causing the death of the ship’s captain and several others stationed on the bridge). A subsequent explosion (apparently only a few seconds after the kamikaze hit) tore a large hole in the deck in the forward end of the ship. It is unclear from available descriptions if the forward explosion was caused by a bomb from another plane, a second kamikaze, or was a secondary effect from the initial kamikaze strike.

Fire and damage control measures by Dickerson’s crew were ineffective due to the extensive amount of damage to the ship and high percentage of casualties among the crew. The crew was forced to abandon the ship as the fire burned out of control for a time, threatening the forward magazine.

Three nearby ships, USS Bunch (APD-79), USS Herbert (APD-22), and USS Crosley (APD-87), tried to extinguish the fire on Dickerson by spraying water with fire hoses from alongside. Bunch had members of an underwater demolition team on board (UDT-21). Swimmers and manned rubber boats belonging to UDT-21 went out to pick up survivors from Dickerson who had gone over the side because of the fires (including Bill Smith, who mentioned this experience occasionally).

At 1930, Bunch reported or logged that the fire on Dickerson was “fairly well under control,” but this was apparently optimistic, fires continued to flare up on Dickerson for several more hours. Around 1930, Bunch backed off because it had sustained some damage from the intense heat from the fires on Dickerson (presumably, the other two ships also backed off at this time).

Bunch and Crosley each sent fire and rescue parties over to Dickerson, using at least one landing craft from each ship. These firefighters had at least three gasoline-powered portable pumps with them to fight the fires. They also jettisoned Dickerson’s port side landing craft to reduce the amount that Dickerson was listing.

For a time, Bunch had Dickerson under tow and had run fire hoses over from Bunch to the fire-fighting parties on Dickerson, but the tow line and the hoses parted as sea conditions worsened. The loss of firefighting water from these hoses slowed efforts to put out the remaining fires.

The ships providing aid were eventually joined by USS Arikara (ATF-98), an ocean tugboat. Arikara was able to extinguish the last fires. Arikara towed Dickerson to the naval base at Kerama Rettô, which had been captured from the Japanese a few days earlier. The Kerama Islands are about 12 miles southwest of the southwest end of Okinawa. The Japanese word “Rettô” means something like “islands” or “island group”(the Japanese word "gunto" has a similar meaning -- although "gunto" is apparently also the word for a type of sword). The Japanese word "shima" means "island" -- singular (as does the Japanese word "jima").

At Kerama Rettô, bodies, surviving records, and some salvageable pieces of equipment were removed from Dickerson. The ship was determined to not be economically salvageable. It was towed to deeper water and intentionally sunk on 4 April 1945.

The Dickerson survivors on Bunch were transferred to USS PCE(R)-852 at 1000 on 3 April apparently at Kerama Rettô (PCE(R) indicates Patrol Craft Escort – Rescue). The survivors were later transferred to a larger hospital ship. Fifty-four officers and men from Dickerson were lost in the attack and subsequent fires, with approximately 55-60 survivors. One report indicates 23 of the surviving crew members were injured. The number of survivors varies slightly among the several readily-available reports of the incident.

Some of the uncertainty in the number of Dickerson survivors might stem from survivors being picked up by other ships. In particular, four survivors were in the water for several hours following the attack, before they were picked up by USS Abercrombie (DE-343). They had been clinging to a floating oil drum in heavy seas. Abercrombie had almost run over them in the darkness.

As of June 2017, a Google search on “USS Dickerson” brings up several “hits,” many of them dealing with the 2 April 1945 attack off Okinawa. Dickerson was near the front of a convoy made up of about 18 ships. Since the convoy was under air attack, all of the nearby ships had crewmen at battle stations on or above their main decks. Many of these men saw the kamikaze crash into Dickerson and the subsequent explosion. Apparently anyone who saw it never forgot it. One description suggests the ship was briefly engulfed in a fireball a few seconds safter the kamikaze stike (such a fireball could be caused by the ignition of aviation fuel volitalized or ejected as droplets from the crashing plane).

To put the loss of Dickerson in perspective, 36 US ships were sunk in the Okinawa campaign (apparently most of them due to kamikazi attacks) and another 368 were damaged (Dickerson is probably counted among the 36). The Navy dead during the campaign numbered 4907 (with another 4824 wounded). Army deaths were 4675 (18,009 wounded). Marine Corps deaths were 2938 (13,798 wounded).^{23,26,27,28,29,30,31,32,33,34,35,36}

Several days after the attack, James D Ebert, Lt. (junior grade), USNR, reported that Robert William Smith had: “Served in a commendable manner as a SURVIVOR when the USS DICKERSON (APD 21) was sunk as a result of a Japanese Air Attack southwest of Kerama Retto. All personal effects were lost with the ship. The last payment of Insurance Premium unknown.“ James D Ebert was the Senior Surviving Officer from USS Dickerson.³⁷

Robert William Smith was entitled to wear the Asiatic-Pacific service ribbon with two battle stars. The stars were for participation “in logistic support forces at Iwo Jima from 18 Feb 1945 until 5 March 1945” and for the “Nansei Shoto Campaign, (specifically) Keise Shime Assault – 31 March 1945, and Support of forces on Kerama Retto and Okinawa Gunto. 1-2 April 1945”. The paperwork for this ribbon and the two battle stars seems to have been completed (or possibly reconstructed, to replace records lost in the fires on Dickerson) while Smith (probably together with other survivors from Dickerson) was back at Ulithi, following the loss of Dickerson.³⁸

He apparently arrived back in the US, at “USS Receiving Ship,” San Francisco,California, on 6 May 1945. He had been out of the US for 5 months and 6 days. It is unclear how he moved from Ulitihi back to San Francisco. It is also unclear when he left Ulitihi, or the route taken back to San Francisco.³⁹

He had 28 days leave between 15 May 1945 and 11 June 1945 (delayed orders) between leaving the Receiving Station in the San Francisco California area and reporting for duty at his next station. His Navy personnel file indicates that he was originally sent to Philadelphia (perhaps to be assigned to the Navy Yard there). However, that assignment seems to have been changed to Navy Pier in Chicago while he was on leave. He seems to have actually reported to Philadelphia following his leave, but was then sent to Chicago after only a few days. It is possible he was not notified of the transfer to Chicago while he was on leave, but rather that the transfer documents (which seem to be dated 1 June 1945) were sent to Philadelphia, to be given to him after he reported there following the end of his leave.⁴⁰

His pay was adjusted for “commuted rations” on 9 August 1945, while he was serving at NavTraScol, Navy Pier, Chicago, Illinois.This was likely the time when his family joined him in Chicago and he began living in "off-base" housing (not in military barracks or on a ship). He probably began receiving supplemental funds (in addition to his base salary) for food and housing at this time.⁴¹

His residence (and that of all dependents) was "510 Locust St, Cabrini Home, Chicago, Illinois," on 5 December 1945. This was probably their address for the entire time period that he lived off-base with his family, while stationed at Navy Pier in Chicago. Francis Cabrini Homes was one of the first public housing developements in Chicago. In 1945, it apparently consisted of 586 units (two-story "row houses") in 54 buildings over several city blocks), which had been completed in 1942. One source document indicates that this public housing was used for "soldiers" stationed in Chicago during World War II. It is unclear if the War Department took over the entire development (or large sections of it), thus, in effect, making these units something akin to "base housing," or if the military familes were "mixed in" with civilian residents. The accompanying photograph of a portion of the Cabrini Homes development was apparently taken as the buildings were nearing completion in 1942. The long form (detailed) version of one of the souces for this paragraph contains information about the later history of this housing development.^42,43,44

He appears to have had dental work done during January 1946 while stationed at Navy Pier, Chicago, Illinois.⁴⁵

He was honorably separated from military service on 2 February 1946 at U. S Navy Personnel Separation Center, Great Lakes, Illinois. His grade at that time was Fireman, First Class with the specialty or “rating” of Motor Machinist’s Mate (MoMM). His total payment upon discharge was $32.95, which included $25.40 for mileage back to his home in Pennsylvania. He was entitled to wear the American Theater ribbon and the Victory Medal, in addition to the Asiatic-Pacific ribbon with two battle stars, mentioned above. At the time of separation/discharge, his height was listed as 69 inches and his weight was listed as 169 pounds. His uncorrected distant vision was listed as 20/20 in his right eye and 18/20 in his left eye.⁴⁶

In 1950 Robert William Smith applied for a Pennsylvania "Veteran's Bonus" on the basis of his World War II military service (his application was marked as received by the state on 22 March 1950). His application listed his address at that time as P. O. Box 56, Coal Valley, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania. He hand lettered his application in beautiful clear printed characters (he could also do wonderful Olde-English-type caligraphy). He was awarded $200 for 20 months of stateside service (the Pennsylvania officials seem to have not counted the five months he was in the Pacific as overseas service, which would have incresed the payment due to him, by perhaps $50).²

He had worked for the US Steel Company from approximately 1942 until approximately 1962 (with about a two-year interruption for service in the US Navy during World War 2). This was a time period when there were several long steel strikes (and possibly some layoffs due to periods of lessened demand for steel products). He left US Steel around 1962 to take a job at Westinghouse Astronuclear Divison in the town of Large, Pennsylvania, in part because the work there was expected to be more steady (fewer strikes -- and his job at Westinghouse might have been non-union).⁴⁷

He retired from Westinghouse circa 1985.⁴⁸

Robert William Smith died on 3 May 1988 at Pennsylvania at age 67.³ He was buried at Lebanon Presbyterian Church Cemetery, West Mifflin, Alegheny County, Pennsylvania.¹

Robert William Smith's Social Security Number was 159-14-2891 (card was issued in Pennsylvania).³