The life of Philip Benjamin (1779-1852) remains a mystery. But a review of his legal woes in the 1820s when he was trying to raise a family paints a clear portrait of him as a swindler. The first-generation Jewish American was in and out of court, losing case after case, with the same ineffectual attorney, […]
John Kruttschnitt Played a Practical Joke at His Sister’s Wedding Reception
Newspapers in New Orleans and other cities carried breathless accounts Rebecca Kruttschnitt (1889-1975) wedding in 1911 to English suitor Henry C. Woodhouse. The reports focused on the resplendent venue, the glamorous dresses worn by the bride and her maids, and the bountiful flowers that adorned the scene. They missed the most interesting event. “The wedding […]
Charting My Jewish Roots Along a Misleading Path
I got woefully lost tracing my family’s Jewish roots and fell into a familiar trap. Like many family history researchers on the Internet, I wanted to believe that I was related to the great Moses Levy, a New York merchant who commissioned portraits for most family members. My fifth grandmother was a Levy, Eva Levy. […]
Stop the Presses: Marie Gingras Mystery Solved
For half a decade, I’ve been working with relatives to try to figure out where the bedeviling Marie Gingras (1861-1937) came from. I’m pleased to report that, thanks to the hard work of cousin Sue Wolfe, the mystery has been solved
My Six Most Awful Discoveries — So Far
Beware of what you might find when researching your family history. My family in particular seems to have more than its share of ghosts in the closet. Here are a few that I’ve discovered so far.
Family Research Confirms Link Between Wealth and Obesity
Have you ever wondered why some of your relatives were fat and others weren’t? Thanks to the results of an admittedly shallow survey, we now have the answer: It’s because they had the money to buy more food.