I have not got the first clue about Jewish records and where to find them so when my friend asked me to do a spot of digging on her mother's side I nearly had a fit when I uncovered Joseph Reichfeld. Well credit where it is due I didn't dig him up but a cousin of my friend did. Joseph was allegedly born in Hungary circa 1825 and I have no idea when and how he came to be here but civil unrest is the probable cause. Anyway, Joseph married (no record of his wife so far) and had a clutch of children beginning with Eiken born about 1857 and running through to Rachel born about 1872. all of these children's ages and their father's was taken from various census records I think. All of the children are shown in the census to be born in London (Westminster, St James Middlesex, Goodman's Fields)I have had a good look but can find no baptism records for any of them. So my question is, (now displaying the depth of my ignorance) do Jewish people record the births of their children and where might records be if they do?
Sorry, don't know about Jewish records, but Joseph can be found in the 1871 census (RG10/356/34/3) living in Drury Lane, St. Martin, Strand with wife Elizabeth (born 1835 Surrey) and children Elkin, Sarah, Jesse and Jane. Surname is spelt REICHFIELD.
There is the birth registration of an Alcane Reichfeld in the September quarter of 1856, volume 1a, page 317 in St James W registration district, which looks like it could be Elkin. That certificate would give you his Mum's maiden name.
Aha! Marriage of Joseph can be found in London registration district, December quarter 1855, volume 1a, page 283 and on the same page is an Elizabeth BIRNE
Elizabeth, Elkin, Sarah, Jessy and Jane are together in 1861 (RG9/271/170/13), St. Mary, Whitechapel, Middlesex - no sign of Joseph.
Thought: this marriage certificate will state where it took place - Synagogue or elsewhere - and might therefore give clues as to where any further records might be.
Geni has Eizabeth as the Daughter of Joseph Birne and Sarah Birne and Wife of Joseph Reichfeld. There is a probate for Joseph Brine which names Joseph Reichfeld as one of his executors. Joseph Birne 4 September. The Will of Joseph Birne late of 26 Little. Alie-street Goodman's Fields in the County of Middlesex Tailor who died 4 June 1873 at 26 Little-Alie-street was proved at the Principal Registry by Sarah Birne of 26 Little-Alie-street Widow the Relict and Joseph Reichfield of 68 Drury-lane in the said County Tailor the Executors. Effects under £200
The 1911 census has Joseph living with (I presume) his married daughter Jane Neiman. His birthplace is given as Rab. Hungaria and it states (in the column about Nationality) he has been in England 48 years. Hmmm, someone's math is not too good, me thinks
I tried searching Ancestry for a date when Joseph came to England, but it brought up something in the Criminal records in 1889 (from memory) Luckily, he was aquitted
Gloucester Citizen - 25th February 1878 FIRES AND LOSS OF LIFE In the neighbourhood of Drury-lane there were two outbreaks of fire last night. The first "Call" was for No. 68 in the thoroughfare, named in the occupation of Joseph Reichfield, tailor, and on the arrival of the engine from Holborn the fire had taken a firm hold of the lower part of the premises, and spread to the property of Mr J Allen, oil and colourman, next door. Owing, however, to the exertions of the firemen, the damages were confined to the two properties indicated. (the other fire was not conected)
In the London Evening Standard dated 2nd July 1867, Commissionare Holroyd discharged Joseph from Bankruptcy.
Well, well.......aren't you a sleuthing lot!! Jewish records are also in the synagogue, lol. Remember the Jewish bunch of guys on the old genie place? I helped them out with some of their Jamaican ancestors (yes, Jamaica is a melange/medley of colours and nationalities). I followed some of their research but I don't read Hebrew (lol) Super job, guys.
Courtesy of Ancestry's 'London, England, School Admissions and Discharges, 1840-1911' Name: Reb Reichfield Age: 8 Birth Date: 13 Nov 1862 School: Westminster Jew's Free School Borough: Westminster Admission Date: Nov 1870 Parent: Joseph Name: Rachel Reichfield Age: 13 Birth Date: 22 Mar 1872 School: Westminster Jew's Free School Borough: Westminster Admission Date: Apr 1885 Parent: Elkin (obviously guardian, not parent) Name: Rachel Richfield Age: 13 Birth Date: 22 Mar 1871 (born 71 OR 72??) School: Westminster Jew's Free School Borough: Westminster Admission Date: Aug 1884 Parent: Elkin Name: Rachel Reichfeld Age: 10 Birth Date: 22 Mar 1871 School: Westminster Jew's Free School Borough: Westminster Admission Date: May 1881 Parent: Joseph
Name: Michael Reichfeld Age: 13 Birth Date: abt 1868 School: St Clement Danes Grammar School Borough: Hammersmith and Fulham Admission Date: Sep 1881, withdrawn Apr 1883 Parent: Joseph (tailor) of 68, Drury Lane. A fee of £2 5s was paid. Name: Bennett Reichfeld Age: 5 Birth Date: 1867 School: Westminster Jew's Free School Borough: Camden Admission Date: May 1872 Name: Michael Reichfeld Age: 6 Birth Date: 28 Sep 1868 School: Westminster Jew's Free School Borough: Camden Admission Date: May 1875