Getting Zhytomyr records - Bernstein

[biranofer]

Hello, I just discovered this forum and I'm amazed by the help given here and excited of the chance I'll also be lucky... Following instructions on the Ukraine archive site I sent the email below to the State Archives of Zhytomyr Region (State Archives of Zhytomyr Region - arhiv_zt@ukrpost.ua ) on April 19 and didn't get a response yet... my questions:

- Is this archive the right place to look for these records ? sending in English is OK ?
- Any chance they can locate these records when I don't have fond / Akt etc. ?
- Any other alternative ?

The most important information for me is Rivka Bernstein's maiden name and parents names... I hope it's written on the marriage or birth records...

Thanks in advance for any help !!
Ofer
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Dear sir,
I'm looking for records related to Bernstein ( / Bernchtein) family of Zhitomir:

Birth of Zvi ( Herch ) Bernstein - July 20, 1875 , father - wulf
Marriage of Zvi ( Herch ) Bernstein and Rivka (1893 - 1904 ? probably 1900 - 1904 ?) - I do not know Rivka's family name before the marriage - very interested in knowing this.
Birth of their daughter Manya - 1904
Birth of their daughter Fanya - 1905
Birth of their Son Shmuel - April 11, 1906
Birth of their Son Gad - October 28, 1907

Do these records exist in your archive ? Is it possible to get copy of them ? what will be the cost and paying method ?

Thank you

Ofer Biran (Son of Uriel Biran-Bernstein son of Gad Bernstein son of Zvi (Herch) and Rivka Bernstein...)

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[Hannia]

It might be too soon to get anxious. Turnaround can be as much as three months, and you just submitted the inquiry April 18th.

In most cases archives accept inquiries in English, but response will be done in Ukrainian or Russian.

I double checked and Jewish metrykal records are available thru Zhitomir Archives: birth records 1855-1920 and marriage records for 1841-1920. The records you want are in fact there.

There's no prepayment at Ukrainian archives. When they locate the info, they will send you a letter (in Ukrainian) indicating type of info available and cost, which will include copying. Paper and ink is a big deal there. They will also send you intl bank acct number for method of payment. Once you send them payment, they will send you copies of all info indicated in response letter.

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There is an archivist there specializing in Jewish materials, so be patient.

I am currently looking for researchers in Zhytomir. I understand there is some very interesting details in the Census Records. Worse comes to worse, we will help you handle what comes up.

PS> You are sure the family was from Zhytomir, the city? You have documented the immigration?

[biranofer]

Thanks Hannia !

So I understand this was the right archive to query ? I'm not sure about city or surround... I only knows my gf was born in "Zhytomir"... Not sure there are special "documents of immigration" when the the children came to Israel before the state established. Zvi Bernstein arrived in 1956 and I attach a section of his passport.

Thanks, Ofer

[Hannia]

Ofer,

Yes, you have directed your inquiry to the correct archives.

The document you provided is good enough. It states that Grandfather was from
the city, Zhytomir / г. (город = city/town) Житомир
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[Hannia]

Following is a piece of information to put away for right now.

As per Ellis Island there were other Bernstein's emigrating from Zhytomir. Some went to Chicago, others to Philadelphia and some to the Bronx of New York City.

[biranofer]

Thanks Hannia - got them (tricky Zhytomir spelling variants... succeeded with Contains "tom"...). I'm not aware so far of Bernstein relatives in US - it'll be hard to tie them as Ellis Island records have no parents info.

I guess 'll have to be patient waiting to the archive response. My hope is to prove that Rivka's (mother of my grandfather Gad) maiden name is Minkowsky - Gad's cousin was a Minkowski and now that both are dead we couldn't confirm this connection.

After this I'd like to find the connection to the famous cantor Pinchas Minkowski that both Gad and his cousin always told that he is a great uncle/cousin... Pinchas was born in Biela Tserkov and his father Motel in Zhytomir... so I have a long journey...

Thanks again, Ofer

[biranofer]

Hello - after long time I called the Zhytomir archive (using Russian speaker) and they found all requested records except one ! anyway the most important is the marriage record (Zvi-Herch Bernstein and Rivka) and they told us it's from 1900 and Rivka's maiden name is Minkovsky - exactly what I hoped ! I was disappointed though that she said there are no parents information on a marriage record.

Now getting the copies - this is very complicated, she said it might take 5 months with a very high cost for a foreigner... while if I find an Ukraine relative/friend he can get them much easier and cheaper. In anyway my main goal is researching Rivka Minkovsky family - get her parent names (probably by getting her birth record), her brothers, and even further to her father's parents names... Seems to me that I need a local person from Zyhtomir to do this research/service... any advice on this ?

Thanks
Ofer