Jeffrey Mark Paull
Dr. Jeffrey Mark Paull was born and raised in Pittsburgh, PA. He earned his BS in Chemistry and Master of Science in Industrial Hygiene from the University of Pittsburgh, and his MPH and Doctor of Public Health from the Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health. His career as an environmental toxicologist and scientific expert in the field of occupational and environmental health spans over thirty years (1976–2008).
Since that time, Dr. Paull has devoted himself to his passion for Jewish genealogical research and writing. His first book, entitled: "A Noble Heritage: The History and Legacy of the Polonsky and Paull Family in America," traces his family’s ancestry over a millennium of history, and discovers their lost rabbinical heritage dating back to Rashi (1040–1105 CE). His second book, "The Shpoler Zeida – The Life, Legends, and Descendants of the Grandfather of Shpola," is scheduled for publication in 2025.
Dr. Paull is very active in the field of genetic genealogy and has conducted numerous pioneering autosomal and Y-DNA research studies in which he and his research colleagues have identified the unique Y-DNA genetic signature of many of Eastern Europe’s most renowned rabbinical lineages.
In addition to his Jewish genealogical research studies, Dr. Paull identified the Y-DNA genetic signature of the patrilineal line descending from John Hart, an American Founding Father and the 13th Signer of the Declaration of Independence.
Dr. Paull is a dynamic speaker and has presented talks on his Jewish genealogical research studies to many genealogical societies and international Jewish genealogy conferences across the world.
More in-depth information regarding Dr. Paull's publications and related genealogy and family history projects may be found on his website: https://www.ANobleHeritage.com and his Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/ANobleHeritage. Research questions may be directed to Dr. Paull at [email protected].
Since that time, Dr. Paull has devoted himself to his passion for Jewish genealogical research and writing. His first book, entitled: "A Noble Heritage: The History and Legacy of the Polonsky and Paull Family in America," traces his family’s ancestry over a millennium of history, and discovers their lost rabbinical heritage dating back to Rashi (1040–1105 CE). His second book, "The Shpoler Zeida – The Life, Legends, and Descendants of the Grandfather of Shpola," is scheduled for publication in 2025.
Dr. Paull is very active in the field of genetic genealogy and has conducted numerous pioneering autosomal and Y-DNA research studies in which he and his research colleagues have identified the unique Y-DNA genetic signature of many of Eastern Europe’s most renowned rabbinical lineages.
In addition to his Jewish genealogical research studies, Dr. Paull identified the Y-DNA genetic signature of the patrilineal line descending from John Hart, an American Founding Father and the 13th Signer of the Declaration of Independence.
Dr. Paull is a dynamic speaker and has presented talks on his Jewish genealogical research studies to many genealogical societies and international Jewish genealogy conferences across the world.
More in-depth information regarding Dr. Paull's publications and related genealogy and family history projects may be found on his website: https://www.ANobleHeritage.com and his Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/ANobleHeritage. Research questions may be directed to Dr. Paull at [email protected].
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A Noble Heritage Book Chapters by Jeffrey Mark Paull
As a result of Russian surname laws and mandates, many non-related Jewish individuals acquired the same surname, while many related people acquired different surnames. Hence for Ashkenazi Jews of Russian ancestry, surnames may confer very little information regarding kinship. This situation has created many challenges and has placed many brick walls in the path for genealogists who try to trace the ancestry or locate descendants of a particular Jewish lineage, many of whom have different surnames, as well as for interpreting the different results of DNA tests for Jewish descendants, who are assumed to be related because they share a common surname.
Environmental Health Articles by Jeffrey Mark Paull
Do genealogy organizations have an ethical responsibility to protect the health of their members when such activities may put their members’ health at risk?
Who makes the health policy decisions of whether to hold a large in-person conference, and on what basis are these decisions made?
What are the ethical responsibilities of genealogical organizations to share public health information, and to keep their membership informed of health-related policy decisions on social media?
This article examines these questions, and the ethical responsibilities of genealogical organizations to its members.
As a result of Russian surname laws and mandates, many non-related Jewish individuals acquired the same surname, while many related people acquired different surnames. Hence for Ashkenazi Jews of Russian ancestry, surnames may confer very little information regarding kinship. This situation has created many challenges and has placed many brick walls in the path for genealogists who try to trace the ancestry or locate descendants of a particular Jewish lineage, many of whom have different surnames, as well as for interpreting the different results of DNA tests for Jewish descendants, who are assumed to be related because they share a common surname.
Do genealogy organizations have an ethical responsibility to protect the health of their members when such activities may put their members’ health at risk?
Who makes the health policy decisions of whether to hold a large in-person conference, and on what basis are these decisions made?
What are the ethical responsibilities of genealogical organizations to share public health information, and to keep their membership informed of health-related policy decisions on social media?
This article examines these questions, and the ethical responsibilities of genealogical organizations to its members.
Thankfully, the emerging technology of artificial intelligence (AI) artwork creation tools has the potential to be a game changer for Jewish genealogy.
AI art tools can be invaluable in filling the significant gaps in our visual historical record, thereby recovering part of our lost Jewish heritage. Reconstructing images with AI art tools can offer a window into the past, resulting in fresh insights and historical perspectives that would not otherwise be possible. Additionally, AI art tools can visually explain genealogical concepts that cannot be communicated as effectively with words alone.
This article provides several examples of how the author utilized AI art tools to promote a better understanding of Jewish genealogical and historical concepts and to reclaim part of our lost Jewish visual culture and heritage.
After conducting an investigation of census records (revision lists) from the former Russian Empire and a Y-DNA research study of the Shpoler Zeida's patrilineal descendants, the author concludes that Rabbi Boruch's "Gerondi" surname was a fiction that was invented by Rabbi Rosenberg.
In this article, I demonstrate the use of Thrulines using a series of screenshots from one of my family member’s AncestryDNA results. The purpose of this article is to introduce the concept of ThruLines to those who may not be familiar with this extremely useful tool, and to illustrate the basic steps for using it.
In researching Irish ancestry, the importance of collaborating with family members, genetic matches, genealogical organizations, and other genealogists and family researchers, cannot be overstated. In keeping with this, I invite all interested readers to share your thoughts, comments, and suggestions for researching Irish ancestry with the author.
As someone who has been successful at tracing his family’s Jewish ancestry back to the Middle Ages, and has conducted numerous Y-DNA studies of rabbinical lineages, while encountering his share of genealogical challenges along the way, I thought that it would be useful to share some of my experiences and insights regarding these very important questions.
In this article, the main factors that are responsible for making Jewish genealogy so challenging are divided into ten main categories: (1) the destruction of Jewish records; (2) the difficulty in finding surviving Jewish documents; (3) language barriers; (4) the history of Jewish surname adoption; (5) the nature of the Jewish surname adoption process; (6) the Americanization of Jewish surnames; (7) Jewish endogamy; (8) the historical lack of family trees and paper trails; (9) the Holocaust; and (10) the Jewish immigrant experience in America.
It is only by fully understanding the challenges, problems, and difficulties faced by Jewish genealogists that effective strategies can be devised to deal with these issues and to find solutions.
Over the course of conducting these research studies, we have made observations regarding the nature of Y-DNA testing, and how the results of Y-DNA tests compare and vary between individuals and lineages. We have published articles which explain why Y-DNA results and Jewish surnames and paper trails sometimes don’t agree, and how well current models predict the time-to-most recent common ancestor (TMRCA).
Like most scientific endeavors, genetic genealogy research is ongoing; it never truly “arrives” at an ultimate destination. Over the past ten years, it has been our policy to publish our significant research findings in “pre-publication draft” form, to make the genetic genealogy community aware of new research findings as expeditiously as possible, and to encourage further research efforts.
In keeping with this long-standing policy, this research paper presents a potentially significant new finding regarding the results of Y-DNA testing, and how the typical number of genetic matches reported varies between Jewish and non-Jewish populations.
The most recent draft was posted 1 January 2020. Be sure to check back frequently for updates.
Subsequent to the completion of this study, we tested several pedigreed descendants of the Savran-Hager dynasty, which claims patrilineal (son-after-son) descent from the Giterman rabbinical lineage. Their unexpected Y-DNA results caused us to take a closer look at the Savran-Hager lineage, in order to determine whether there was an error or omission in the paper trail, and to identify the source of the error, if possible.
The Y-DNA evidence, taken together with the genealogical evidence, effectively rules out the possibility that the Savran-Hager dynasty patrilineally descends from the Savran-Bendery (Wertheim-Giterman) Chassidic dynasty.
For a little over ten years now, my research team and I, have been conducting Y-DNA research studies which utilize both traditional genealogical and current DNA methods and technology to identify the unique Y-DNA genetic signature and ethnic origin of some of the world’s most esteemed and historically significant rabbinical lineages and dynasties. These include the Katzenellenbogen, Lurie, Polonsky, Rappaport-Cohen, and Shapiro rabbinical lineages, and the Twersky and Wertheim-Giterman Chassidic dynasties.
We have also conducted Y-DNA research studies on lineages descending from such luminaries and tzaddiks as the Baal Shem Tov, Rabbi Levi Yitzchak of Berdichev, Rabbi Naftula Cohen of Belaya Tzerkov, Rabbi Raphael of Bershad, Rabbi Yechiel Michel of Zlatchov, Rabbi Yehuda Heller-Kahana of Sighet, and the Shpoler Zeida.
The goal of our rabbinical heritage Y-DNA research studies is to identify the Y-DNA genetic signatures of some of Jewry’s most renowned tzaddiks and rabbinical families. We accomplish this by finding and testing pedigreed patrilineal descendants of these rabbinical families; if their Y-DNA genetically matches, it confirms their paper trail and provides the unique Y-DNA genetic signature for their lineage.
Anyone who matches one of these Y-DNA genetic signatures shares a common paternal ancestor with these pedigreed rabbinical descendants. Identifying that common ancestor would enable one to link to a pedigree and paper trail that may be many centuries old, and to rediscover their family’s lost Jewish heritage.
In this review article, I explain the importance of rabbinical heritage research studies to the practice of Jewish genealogy and present an overview of some interesting findings and observations drawn from our Y-DNA research studies of thirteen rabbinical lineages and dynasties, including the defining haplogroup and subclade that is associated with the Y-DNA genetic signature for each of these lineages.
Traditional genealogical methods provided the foundation for our study. We researched the history and genealogy of the Shapiro rabbinical lineage, and we identified and tested three pedigreed patrilineal descendants of three different sons of Rabbi Pinchas Shapira of Korets. We then utilized genetic genealogical methods to compare the Y-DNA genetic profiles of these three pedigreed descendants.
We initially determined that all three descendants genetically matched at 37 short tandem repeat (STR) markers. Their lineage-specific haplotype, in conjunction with their G-M201 haplogroup/G-FGC1160 subclade designation, comprises the Y-DNA genetic signature of their patrilineal line, back to their most recent common ancestor, Rabbi Pinchas Shapira of Korets.
Next steps in the research study include upgrading the Y-DNA analysis to 67 STR markers, and additional single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) genotyping through the Family Tree DNA Big Y-500 test.
This Y-DNA research study validates historical lines of descent from the Shapiro rabbinical lineage using genealogical research methods, establishes a Y-DNA genetic signature that can be utilized to identify previously unknown or unrecognized descendants of the lineage, and demonstrates a pioneering methodology that can be applied to studies of other rabbinical lineages and their descendants.
If you believe that you are a patrilineal descendant of Rabbi Pinchas Shapira of Korets, or the Shapiro rabbinical lineage/dynasty, and you wish to participate in this Y-DNA research study, please contact the first author, Dr. Jeffrey Mark Paull, at [email protected].
We succeeded in identifying four pedigreed descendants of Rabbi Raphael. We also succeeded in identifying one partially pedigreed descendant, and several possible patrilineal descendants of Rabbi Raphael. The genealogical records for the partially pedigreed descendant were fragmentary and incomplete, but the naming pattern and available records enabled us to construct a family tree showing a hypothesized line of descent.
In this pioneering Y-DNA research study, we succeeded in identifying the Y-DNA genetic signature and ethnic origin of Rabbi Raphael’s paternal lineage. Our study demonstrates the usefulness of identifying the Y-DNA genetic signature of a rabbinical line, and for verifying descent from that line, despite having fragmentary and incomplete genealogical records.
Extensive genealogical research of the Twersky family laid the necessary groundwork for identification of eight son-after-son descendants of the Twersky Chassidic dynasty for this Y-DNA study.
Based upon the matching Y-DNA results of these eight pedigreed paternal descendants, we have succeeded in identifying the haplotype and haplogroup that characterizes the Y-DNA signature of the Twersky Chassidic dynasty, back to their most recent common ancestor, and founder of the lineage, Grand Rabbi Menachem Nachum Twersky (1730–1797). An unexpected finding of this research is that the Twersky Chassidic dynasty has a Sephardic ethnic origin.
With the successful identification and characterization of the Y-DNA genetic signature of the Twersky Chassidic dynasty, we hope to enable many current and future generations of Jewish descendants to connect themselves and their families to this illustrious rabbinical lineage, and to discover their remarkable lost heritage.
However, sometimes Y-DNA results for Jewish descendants who share the same surname do not match, even though their paper trails indicate descent from the same common ancestor.
What happens when Y-DNA testing does not validate the paper trail? What are the possible reasons for these confounding and unexpected results? The purpose of this article is to explain some of the major reasons why Y-DNA and yichus sometimes tell different stories.
In this article, we explain:
• The meaning and significance of the term yichus to Jewish genealogy,
• The process for identifying the Y-DNA genetic signature for a rabbinical lineage,
• How we determine whether Y-DNA results prove or disprove patrilineal yichus, and
• The major reasons why Y-DNA and yichus sometimes tell different stories.
Traditional genealogical methods provided the foundation for our study. We researched the history and genealogy of the family of John Hart, and we identified and located six pedigreed descendants of his patrilineal lineage, including four son-after-son descendants of three of his sons, and two son-after-son descendants of his paternal uncle.
We then utilized genetic genealogical methods to compare the Y-DNA genetic profiles of these six pedigreed descendants. We determined that they all genetically matched each other at both 37 and 67 STR markers. Their lineage-specific haplotype was unique to the point that they had no other genetic matches at 67 STR markers, other than their fellow pedigreed Hart descendants.
Based on the results of SNP genotyping through FTDNA’s “Big Y” test, we established their haplogroup/subclade designation, which, in conjunction with their lineage-specific haplotype, comprises the Y-DNA genetic signature of their patrilineal line, back to their most recent common ancestor, the grandfather of John Hart the Signer.
This report of the Y-DNA genetic signature of one of America’s Founding Fathers proves historic lines of descent using genealogical research methods, establishes a Y-DNA genetic signature that can be utilized to identify previously unknown or unrecognized descendants, and demonstrates a pioneering methodology that can be applied to studies of other historical figures and their descendants.
Revised November 23, 2018
In this article, we shall focus on the some of the difficulties that we have encountered in convincing pedigreed descendants to agree to take a DNA test, the predominant reasons why they are reluctant or refuse to test, and some of the strategies that we have found effective in dealing with these difficulties and in encouraging them to test.
Update: This book has been renamed: "The Shpoler Zeida -- The Life, Legends, and Descendants of the Grandfather of Shpola." It is scheduled for publication in 2023.
The website, which Susan maintained and updated from 2008 until her passing in 2024, drew praise from Jewish genealogists worldwide. Unfortunately, the website domain hosting lapsed after Susan's passing, and it is no longer accessible.
This news update describes my efforts to restore Susan's Two Tzaddiks website in the form of a text archive, and provides information regarding where the restored archive may be found.
I wish to thank our many dedicated readers worldwide for their continued interest in our genetic genealogy, family research, and Y-DNA research studies. As our readership on Academia.edu grows, it is beneficial to elicit feedback from our readers regarding our current and future planned research.
As part of our ongoing research of rabbinical lineages, we are continually identifying new descendants, finding new documents, and evaluating new Y-DNA test results. Whether you are a genetic genealogy researcher, a pedigreed descendant of a rabbinical lineage, or simply interested in our research and would like to express your thoughts, comments, or questions regarding any of our current or future studies, I invite you to contact us at [email protected].
If you have any questions or would like to be placed on my mailing list for future research and publications, please email me at: [email protected] or visit my website: www.anobleheritage.com.
This issue includes a preview of our chapter entitled: "Mysteries of the Shpoler Zeida's Family," and explains how we researched the genealogical puzzle of how fourteen "mystery" families descend from the Shpoler Zeida. It also includes previews of our chapters: "Faces of the Shpoler Zeida's Descendants," "The Shpoler Zeida's Y-DNA Genetic Signature," and "The Shpoler Zeida's Family Tree."
One recent innovation that has bridged many of these gaps and confirmed conclusions drawn from oral accounts is genetic genealogy. A 2016 pioneering research study conducted by Drs. Jeffrey Mark Paull, Neil Rosenstein, and Jeffrey Briskman, utilizes Y-DNA testing in conjunction with existent family pedigrees, oral histories, and historical migration patterns, to conclude that the Katzenellenbogen lineage is of Sephardic origin.
While DNA evidence has proved an essential scientific tool to uncovering the past, mistrust in genetic genealogy persists, and it is necessary to reinforce genetic discoveries with more traditional evidence. Rabbi Katzenellenbogen’s published writings demonstrate a distinct Sephardic influence. This study seeks to utilize his works to provide literary and historical evidence for the conclusion genetic data has already uncovered: that the ancestry and therefore the lineage of Rabbi Meir Katzenellenbogen is of Sephardic origin.
The Twersky Family is known as the most prolific Chassidic dynasty in the world. In addition to present-day Grand Rabbis, Twersky descendants have made their mark in professions including, but not limited to, academia, medicine, law, and business. In rabbinic, Chassidic, and genealogical circles, it is generally presumed that all Twerskys are related and descend, in one way or another, from Grand Rabbi Menachem Nachum Twersky (1730–1797) of Chernobyl, Ukraine.
But is this presumption correct? What of Twerskys who are unaware of their lineage, and countless others who, at first glance, bear no links to the family tree of the Twersky Chassidic Dynasty? It is these questions that the author will address in this study.
Nor did he think that it would lead him to co-author an unprecedented study that would combine centuries old archival records and state-of-the-art DNA testing to try to figure out who among the countless Twerskys trace their patrilineal lineage directly to the Meor Einayim, Harav Menachem Nachum, the first Rebbe of Chernobyl, who was a disciple of the Baal Shem Tov, and make an incredible discovery in the process.
The fascinating story of how this unprecedented genealogical study to identify the Y-DNA genetic signature of the Twersky Chassidic Dynasty came about, contains an interview with the lead author of the study, Dr. Jeffrey Mark Paull.
As Jewish genealogical researchers, we wondered what it would be like if we tried to surmount some of these brick walls. Could it be done, and if so, how? We decided to embark on such a research project by focusing on fifteen "Mystery Families" who all shared one thing in common – they all claimed descent from Yehuda Leib of Shpola, better known as the Shpoler Zeida, a revered 18th-century tzaddik and early Chassidic leader in the Russian Empire.
The traditional genealogical research methods employed, combined with modern genetic genealogy techniques, and the many lessons learned through the research of these fifteen mystery families, representing hundreds of Jewish surnames and lines of descent, are universal in nature and have widespread applicability to Jewish genealogy. For this reason, we are making this invaluable information available to the wider Jewish genealogical community.
Our decade-long genealogical research has been a dedicated pursuit to construct a family tree for a figure of profound importance in Chassidic history. This individual, born three centuries ago, is Yehuda Leib of Shpola (c. 1725–1811), a revered tzaddik known as the Saba Kadisha (Hebrew for “Holy Grandfather”) or the Shpoler Zeida (Yiddish for “Grandfather of Shpola”). His influence and teachings have left an indelible mark on Chassidic history, making our research all the more significant.
Our research has led us to identify over 5,500 descendants of the Shpoler Zeida. However, our journey was not without its share of enigmas and complexities. The intricate web of family connections, the gaps in historical records, and the challenge of verifying oral histories have all contributed to the depth and complexity of our research.
A particularly intriguing challenge was the discovery of fifteen families who claimed descent from the Shpoler Zeida, yet the specifics of their lineage remained unknown. This lack of documentation has veiled their proud heritage in a cloak of uncertainty, shrouding their connection to the Shpoler Zeida in mystery. As their lines of descent from the Shpoler Zeida were unknown, we have come to refer to them as the “Mystery Families.”
This article delves into the intriguing mystery of the Beletsky family (including the Belasco, Bell, Bruskin, Gellard, Goldberg, and Polis branches), who claim descent from the Shpoler Zeida. The mystery involves how their earliest known Beletsky ancestor, Leiba Beletsky (1782–1846), and his wife, Risya (1789–bef. 1848), are connected to the Shpoler Zeida.
In this comprehensive research study on the Beletsky family's descent from the Shpoler Zeida, we painstakingly traced family records, cross-referencing them with historical documents and oral histories. We believe that the available historical and genealogical evidence is sufficient to support the Beletsky family’s plausible line of descent from the Shpoler Zeida through his son Yaakov and the marriage of Yaakov’s daughter Risya to Leiba Beletsky and to connect them to the Shpoler Zeida family tree.
Our decade-long genealogical research has been a dedicated pursuit to construct a family tree for a figure of profound importance in Chassidic history. This individual, born three centuries ago, is Yehuda Leib of Shpola (c. 1725–1811), a revered tzaddik known as the Saba Kadisha (Hebrew for “Holy Grandfather”) or the Shpoler Zeida (Yiddish for “Grandfather of Shpola”). His influence and teachings have left an indelible mark on Chassidic history, making our research all the more significant.
Our research has led us to identify over 5,500 descendants of the Shpoler Zeida. However, our journey was not without its share of enigmas and complexities. The intricate web of family connections, the gaps in historical records, and the challenge of verifying oral histories have all contributed to the depth and complexity of our research.
A particularly intriguing challenge was the discovery of fifteen families who claimed descent from the Shpoler Zeida, yet the specifics of their lineage remained unknown. This lack of documentation has veiled their proud heritage in a cloak of uncertainty, shrouding their connection to the Shpoler Zeida in mystery. As their lines of descent from the Shpoler Zeida were unknown, we have come to refer to them as the “Mystery Families.”
This article focuses on the Finkelstein family, who claims descent from the Shpoler Zeida. The mystery involves how their earliest known Finkelstein ancestor, Moshko Finkelshtein (born c. 1824), and his wife, Ruchlya (born c. 1827), are connected to the Shpoler Zeida.
In this comprehensive research study on the Finkelstein family's descent from the Shpoler Zeida, we painstakingly traced family records, cross-referencing them with historical documents and oral histories. We believe that the available historical and genealogical evidence supports the Finkelstein family’s plausible line of descent from the Shpoler Zeida through his great-granddaughter, Ruchlya.
Our decade-long genealogical research has been a dedicated pursuit to construct a family tree for a figure of profound importance in Chassidic history. This individual, born three centuries ago, is Yehuda Leib of Shpola (c. 1725–1811), a revered tzaddik known as the Saba Kadisha (Hebrew for “Holy Grandfather”) or the Shpoler Zeida (Yiddish for “Grandfather of Shpola”). His influence and teachings have left an indelible mark on Chassidic history, making our research all the more significant.
Our research has led us to identify over 5,500 descendants of the Shpoler Zeida. However, our journey was not without its share of enigmas and complexities. The intricate web of family connections, the gaps in historical records, and the challenge of verifying oral histories have all contributed to the depth and complexity of our research.
A particularly intriguing challenge was the discovery of fifteen families who claimed descent from the Shpoler Zeida, yet the specifics of their lineage remained unknown. This lack of documentation has veiled their proud heritage in a cloak of uncertainty, shrouding their connection to the Shpoler Zeida in mystery. As their lines of descent from the Shpoler Zeida were unknown, we have come to refer to them as the “Mystery Families.”
This article delves into the intriguing mystery of the Greenberg family, who claims descent from the Shpoler Zeida. The mystery involves how their earliest known Greenberg ancestor, Rabbi Dov Ber Greenberg (born bet. 1814–1818; d. 1874), and his wife, Nechama (born bet. 1816–1819), are connected to the Shpoler Zeida.
In this comprehensive research study on the Greenberg family's descent from the Shpoler Zeida, we painstakingly traced family records, cross-referencing them with historical documents and oral histories. We believe that the available historical and genealogical evidence supports the Greenberg family’s plausible line of descent from the Shpoler Zeida through his great-granddaughter, who married Rabbi Dov Ber Greenberg.
Our decade-long genealogical research has been a dedicated pursuit to construct a family tree for a figure of profound importance in Chassidic history. This individual, born three centuries ago, is Yehuda Leib of Shpola (c. 1725–1811), a revered tzaddik known as the Saba Kadisha (Hebrew for “Holy Grandfather”) or the Shpoler Zeida (Yiddish for “Grandfather of Shpola”). His influence and teachings have left an indelible mark on Chassidic history, making our research all the more significant.
Our research has led us to identify over 5,500 descendants of the Shpoler Zeida. However, our journey was not without its share of enigmas and complexities. The intricate web of family connections, the gaps in historical records, and the challenge of verifying oral histories have all contributed to the depth and complexity of our research.
A particularly intriguing challenge was the discovery of fifteen families who claimed descent from the Shpoler Zeida, yet the specifics of their lineage remained unknown. This lack of documentation has veiled their proud heritage in a cloak of uncertainty, shrouding their connection to the Shpoler Zeida in mystery. As their lines of descent from the Shpoler Zeida were unknown, we have come to refer to them as the “Mystery Families.”
This article delves into the intriguing mystery of the Landau family (including the Agassi, Finkelstein, Gutman, Kreiter, Nahir, and Prywes branches), who claim descent from the Shpoler Zeida. The mystery involves how their earliest known Landa ancestor, Rabbi Yitzhak ha-Levi (born c.1787), and his wife, Chana, are connected to the Shpoler Zeida.
Taking the Landau family’s claim of descent from the Shpoler Zeida at face value, there are major data gaps and uncertainties in their line of descent, with at least one unknown ancestor or missing generation in the early part of their lineage. Hence, the Landau family’s line of descent from the Shpoler Zeida will remain uncertain until additional evidence from historical/genealogical documents can be found that elucidates their line of descent from the Shpoler Zeida.
We present what is known about the Landau family’s lineage and reconstruct their line of descent to the best of our ability. We aim to make this information more widely available in the hope that it will lead to the discovery of a crucial piece of evidence that confirms their line of descent from the Shpoler Zeida.
Our decade-long genealogical research has been a dedicated pursuit to construct a family tree for a figure of profound importance in Chassidic history. This individual, born three centuries ago, is Yehuda Leib of Shpola (c. 1725–1811), a revered tzaddik known as the Saba Kadisha (Hebrew for “Holy Grandfather”) or the Shpoler Zeida (Yiddish for “Grandfather of Shpola”). His influence and teachings have left an indelible mark on Chassidic history, making our research all the more significant.
Through our research, we have identified over 5,500 descendants of the Shpoler Zeida. However, our journey was not without its share of enigmas and complexities. The intricate web of family connections, the gaps in historical records, and the challenge of verifying oral histories have all contributed to the depth and complexity of our research.
A particularly intriguing challenge was the discovery of fifteen families who claimed descent from the Shpoler Zeida, yet the specifics of their lineage remained unknown. This lack of documentation has veiled their proud heritage in a cloak of uncertainty, shrouding their connection to the Shpoler Zeida in mystery. As their lines of descent from the Shpoler Zeida were unknown, we have come to refer to them as the “Mystery Families.”
This article delves into the intriguing mystery of the Lehr family (including the Elifort, Freundlich, Gefter, Graham, Murphy, Rabinovich, Schliffer, Weiss, and Zadeh branches), who claim descent from the Shpoler Zeida. The mystery involves how their earliest known Zeida ancestor, Gregory (Tzvi) Marinovsky (c. 1887–1953), whose birth name was Avraham Zeida, is connected to the Shpoler Zeida.
In this comprehensive research study on the Lehr family's descent from the Shpoler Zeida, we painstakingly traced family records, cross-referencing them with historical documents and oral histories. We also conducted Y-DNA testing to confirm biological relationships. This multi-faceted approach ensured the validity and reliability of our findings.
The available historical and genealogical evidence is sufficient to prove the Lehr family’s line of descent from the Shpoler Zeida through one of the Shpoler Zeida’s previously unknown daughters, Etya, and her husband, Shmuel.
Our decade-long genealogical research has been a dedicated pursuit to construct a family tree for a figure of profound importance in Chassidic history. This individual, born three centuries ago, is Yehuda Leib of Shpola (c. 1725–1811), a revered tzaddik known as the Saba Kadisha (Hebrew for “Holy Grandfather”) or the Shpoler Zeida (Yiddish for “Grandfather of Shpola”). His influence and teachings have left an indelible mark on Chassidic history, making our research all the more significant.
Our research has led us to identify over 5,500 descendants of the Shpoler Zeida. However, our journey was not without its share of enigmas and complexities. The intricate web of family connections, the gaps in historical records, and the challenge of verifying oral histories have all contributed to the depth and complexity of our research.
A particularly intriguing challenge was the discovery of fifteen families who claimed descent from the Shpoler Zeida, yet the specifics of their lineage remained unknown. This lack of documentation has veiled their proud heritage in a cloak of uncertainty, shrouding their connection to the Shpoler Zeida in mystery. As their lines of descent from the Shpoler Zeida were unknown, we have come to refer to them as the “Mystery Families.”
This article delves into the intriguing mystery of the Nemoy family (including the Horowitz and Magid families), who claim descent from the Shpoler Zeida. The mystery involves how their earliest known Zeida ancestor, Pesya Riva (b. 1814), is connected to the Shpoler Zeida.
Taking the Nemoy family’s claim of descent from the Shpoler Zeida at face value, there are major data gaps and uncertainties in their line of descent, with several unknown ancestors or missing generations in the early part of their lineage. Hence, the Nemoy family’s line of descent from the Shpoler Zeida will remain uncertain until additional evidence from historical/genealogical documents can be found that elucidates their line of descent from the Shpoler Zeida.
We present what is known about the Nemoy family’s lineage and reconstruct their line of descent to the best of our ability. We aim to make this information more widely available in the hope that it will lead to the discovery of a crucial piece of evidence that confirms their line of descent from the Shpoler Zeida.
Our decade-long genealogical research has been a dedicated pursuit to construct a family tree for a figure of profound importance in Chassidic history. This individual, born three centuries ago, is Yehuda Leib of Shpola (c. 1725–1811), a revered tzaddik known as the Saba Kadisha (Hebrew for “Holy Grandfather”) or the Shpoler Zeida (Yiddish for “Grandfather of Shpola”). His influence and teachings have left an indelible mark on Chassidic history, making our research all the more significant.
Our research has led us to identify over 5,500 descendants of the Shpoler Zeida. However, our journey was not without its share of enigmas and complexities. The intricate web of family connections, the gaps in historical records, and the challenge of verifying oral histories have all contributed to the depth and complexity of our research.
A particularly intriguing challenge was the discovery of fifteen families who claimed descent from the Shpoler Zeida, yet the specifics of their lineage remained unknown. This lack of documentation has veiled their proud heritage in a cloak of uncertainty, shrouding their connection to the Shpoler Zeida in mystery. As their lines of descent from the Shpoler Zeida were unknown, we have come to refer to them as the “Mystery Families.”
This article focuses on the Podgarsky family ((including the Lev-Tov, Malobrodsky, and Shamir branches), who claim descent from the Shpoler Zeida. The mystery involves how their earliest known Podgarsky ancestor, Aharon Podgarsky (1880–1945), and his wife, Chaya Leya Branivsky (c. 1880–1960), are connected to the Shpoler Zeida.
Taking the Podgarsky family’s claim of descent from the Shpoler Zeida at face value, there are major data gaps and uncertainties in their line of descent, with several unknown ancestors or missing generations in the early part of their lineage. Hence, the Podgarsky family’s line of descent from the Shpoler Zeida will remain uncertain until additional evidence from historical/genealogical documents can be found that elucidates their line of descent from the Shpoler Zeida.
We present what is known about the Podgarsky family’s lineage and reconstruct their line of descent to the extent possible. We aim to make this information more widely available in the hope that it will lead to the discovery of a crucial piece of evidence that confirms their line of descent from the Shpoler Zeida.
Our decade-long genealogical research has been a dedicated pursuit to construct a family tree for a figure of profound importance in Chassidic history. This individual, born three centuries ago, is Yehuda Leib of Shpola (c. 1725–1811), a revered tzaddik known as the Saba Kadisha (Hebrew for “Holy Grandfather”) or the Shpoler Zeida (Yiddish for “Grandfather of Shpola”). His influence and teachings have left an indelible mark on Chassidic history, making our research all the more significant.
Through our research, we have identified over 5,500 descendants of the Shpoler Zeida. However, our journey was not without its share of enigmas and complexities. The intricate web of family connections, the gaps in historical records, and the challenge of verifying oral histories have all contributed to the depth and complexity of our research.
A particularly intriguing challenge was the discovery of fifteen families who claimed descent from the Shpoler Zeida, yet the specifics of their lineage remained unknown. This lack of documentation has veiled their proud heritage in a cloak of uncertainty, shrouding their connection to the Shpoler Zeida in mystery. As their lines of descent from the Shpoler Zeida were unknown, we have come to refer to them as the “Mystery Families.”
This article delves into the intriguing mystery of the Polonsky family (including the Abrams, Adler, Ballon, Berman, Biggin, Blumenreich, Bridges, Carevic, Carter, Chaber, Cohen, Erskine, Frank, Hastings, Heimowitz, Hoop, Irwin, Kennedy, Kraus, Lawrence, Levine, Malone, Mann, Paulen, Paull, Polan, Press, Reed, Robbins, Santorelli, Saraven, Steinmetz, and Whaley branches), who claim descent from the Shpoler Zeida. The mystery involves how their earliest known Zeida ancestor, Pesya Branya Zeida (b. 1840), is connected to the Shpoler Zeida.
In this comprehensive research study on the Polonsky family's descent from the Shpoler Zeida, we painstakingly traced family records, cross-referencing them with historical documents and oral histories. We also conducted Y-DNA testing to confirm biological relationships. This multi-faceted approach ensured the validity and reliability of our findings.
The available historical and genealogical evidence is sufficient to prove the Polonsky family’s line of descent from the Shpoler Zeida through one of the Shpoler Zeida’s great-granddaughters, Pesya Branya Zeida, and her husband, Aharon David Polonsky.
Our decade-long genealogical research has been a dedicated pursuit to construct a family tree for a figure of profound importance in Chassidic history. This individual, born three centuries ago, is Yehuda Leib of Shpola (c. 1725–1811), a revered tzaddik known as the Saba Kadisha (Hebrew for “Holy Grandfather”) or the Shpoler Zeida (Yiddish for “Grandfather of Shpola”). His influence and teachings have left an indelible mark on Chassidic history, making our research all the more significant.
Through our research, we have identified over 5,500 descendants of the Shpoler Zeida. However, our journey was not without its share of enigmas and complexities. The intricate web of family connections, the gaps in historical records, and the challenge of verifying oral histories have all contributed to the depth and complexity of our research.
A particularly intriguing challenge was the discovery of fifteen families who claimed descent from the Shpoler Zeida, yet the specifics of their lineage remained unknown. This lack of documentation has veiled their proud heritage in a cloak of uncertainty, shrouding their connection to the Shpoler Zeida in mystery. As their lines of descent from the Shpoler Zeida were unknown, we have come to refer to them as the “Mystery Families.”
This article delves into the intriguing mystery of the Lebedinsky family (including the Makovetsky branch), who claims descent from the Shpoler Zeida. The mystery involves how their earliest known Lebedinsky ancestor, Rabbi Beirach Lebedinsky (born c. 1856), was connected to the Shpoler Zeida.
Taking the Lebedinsky family’s claim of descent from the Shpoler Zeida at face value, there are major data gaps and uncertainties in their line of descent, with several unknown ancestors or missing generations in the early part of their lineage. Hence, the Lebedinsky family’s line of descent from the Shpoler Zeida will remain uncertain until additional evidence from historical/genealogical documents can be found that elucidates their line of descent from the Shpoler Zeida.
We present what is known about the Lebedinsky family’s lineage and reconstruct their line of descent to the extent possible. We aim to make this information more widely available in the hope that it will lead to the discovery of a crucial piece of evidence that confirms their line of descent from the Shpoler Zeida.
Our decade-long genealogical research has been a dedicated pursuit to construct a family tree for a figure of profound importance in Chassidic history. This individual, born three centuries ago, is Yehuda Leib of Shpola (c. 1725–1811), a revered tzaddik known as the Saba Kadisha (Hebrew for “Holy Grandfather”) or the Shpoler Zeida (Yiddish for “Grandfather of Shpola”). His influence and teachings have left an indelible mark on Chassidic history, making our research all the more significant.
Our research has led us to identify over 5,500 descendants of the Shpoler Zeida. However, our journey was not without its share of enigmas and complexities. The intricate web of family connections, the gaps in historical records, and the challenge of verifying oral histories have all contributed to the depth and complexity of our research.
A particularly intriguing challenge was the discovery of fifteen families who claimed descent from the Shpoler Zeida, yet the specifics of their lineage remained unknown. This lack of documentation has veiled their proud heritage in a cloak of uncertainty, shrouding their connection to the Shpoler Zeida in mystery. As their lines of descent from the Shpoler Zeida were unknown, we have come to refer to them as the “Mystery Families.”
This article delves into the intriguing mystery of the Sosonsky/Tauber family, who claim descent from the Shpoler Zeida. The mystery involves how their earliest known Sosonsky ancestor, Yosef Sosonsky (born c. 1783), and his wife, Ruchlya (Yocheved), were connected to the Shpoler Zeida.
In this comprehensive research study on the Sosonsky/Tauber family's descent from the Shpoler Zeida, we painstakingly traced family records, cross-referencing them with historical documents and oral histories. We believe that the available historical and genealogical evidence is sufficient to support the Sosonsky/Tauber family’s plausible line of descent from the Shpoler Zeida through the marriage of his daughter Ruchlya to Yosef Sosonsky, and to connect them to the Shpoler Zeida family tree.
Our decade-long genealogical research has been a dedicated pursuit to construct a family tree for a figure of profound importance in Chassidic history. This individual, born three centuries ago, is Yehuda Leib of Shpola (c. 1725–1811), a revered tzaddik known as the Saba Kadisha (Hebrew for “Holy Grandfather”) or the Shpoler Zeida (Yiddish for “Grandfather of Shpola”). His influence and teachings have left an indelible mark on Chassidic history, making our research all the more significant.
Our research has led us to identify over 5,500 descendants of the Shpoler Zeida. However, our journey was not without its share of enigmas and complexities. The intricate web of family connections, the gaps in historical records, and the challenge of verifying oral histories have all contributed to the depth and complexity of our research.
A particularly intriguing challenge was the discovery of fifteen families who claimed descent from the Shpoler Zeida, yet the specifics of their lineage remained unknown. This lack of documentation has veiled their proud heritage in a cloak of uncertainty, shrouding their connection to the Shpoler Zeida in mystery. As their lines of descent from the Shpoler Zeida were unknown, we have come to refer to them as the “Mystery Families.”
This article delves into the intriguing mystery of the Tuchin family (including the Sukonnik branch), which claims descent from the Shpoler Zeida. The mystery involves how their earliest known ancestors, Mordechai Tuchin (born c. 1852 in Shpola) and his wife, Sheyndel (born c. 1855), were connected to the Shpoler Zeida.
There is sufficient historical information to support the Tuchin family’s claim of descent from the Shpoler Zeida; however, there are major data gaps and uncertainties in their line of descent, with several unknown ancestors or missing generations in the early part of their lineage. Hence, the Tuchin family’s line of descent from the Shpoler Zeida will remain uncertain until additional evidence from historical/genealogical documents can be found that elucidates their line of descent.
We present what is known about the Tuchin family’s lineage and reconstruct their line of descent to the best of our ability. We aim to make this information more widely available in the hope that it will lead to the discovery of a crucial piece of evidence that confirms their line of descent from the Shpoler Zeida.
Our decade-long genealogical research has been a dedicated pursuit to construct a family tree for a figure of profound importance in Chassidic history. This individual, born three centuries ago, is Yehuda Leib of Shpola (c. 1725–1811), a revered tzaddik known as the Saba Kadisha (Hebrew for “Holy Grandfather”) or the Shpoler Zeida (Yiddish for “Grandfather of Shpola”). His influence and teachings have left an indelible mark on Chassidic history, making our research all the more significant.
Our research has led us to identify over 5,500 descendants of the Shpoler Zeida. However, our journey was not without its share of enigmas and complexities. The intricate web of family connections, the gaps in historical records, and the challenge of verifying oral histories have all contributed to the depth and complexity of our research.
A particularly intriguing challenge was the discovery of fifteen families who claimed descent from the Shpoler Zeida, yet the specifics of their lineage remained unknown. This lack of documentation has veiled their proud heritage in a cloak of uncertainty, shrouding their connection to the Shpoler Zeida in mystery. As their lines of descent from the Shpoler Zeida were unknown, we have come to refer to them as the “Mystery Families.”
This article delves into the intriguing mystery of the Uritzky family, for which we identified a possible connection to the Zeida family from a Shpola census. The mystery involves whether their earliest known Uritzky ancestor, Shlomo Uritzky (c. 1832–1875), married a Zeida descendant and, if so, how she was connected to the Shpoler Zeida.
In this comprehensive research study on the Uritzky family's descent from the Shpoler Zeida, we painstakingly traced family records, cross-referencing them with historical documents and oral histories. We believe that the available historical and genealogical evidence is sufficient to support the Uritzky family’s plausible line of descent from the Shpoler Zeida through the marriage of his great-granddaughter, Pesya Chaya Zeida, to Shlomo Uritzky, and to connect them to the Shpoler Zeida family tree.
Our decade-long genealogical research has been a dedicated pursuit to construct a family tree for a figure of profound importance in Chassidic history. This individual, born three centuries ago, is Yehuda Leib of Shpola (c. 1725–1811), a revered tzaddik known as the Saba Kadisha (Hebrew for “Holy Grandfather”) or the Shpoler Zeida (Yiddish for “Grandfather of Shpola”). His influence and teachings have left an indelible mark on Chassidic history, making our research all the more significant.
Our research has led us to identify over 5,500 descendants of the Shpoler Zeida. However, our journey was not without its share of enigmas and complexities. The intricate web of family connections, the gaps in historical records, and the challenge of verifying oral histories have all contributed to the depth and complexity of our research.
A particularly intriguing challenge was the discovery of fifteen families who claimed descent from the Shpoler Zeida, yet the specifics of their lineage remained unknown. This lack of documentation has veiled their proud heritage in a cloak of uncertainty, shrouding their connection to the Shpoler Zeida in mystery. As their lines of descent from the Shpoler Zeida were unknown, we have come to refer to them as the “Mystery Families.”
This article delves into the intriguing mystery of the Yablonovsky family (including the Kossoy and Ohry branches), who claim descent from the Shpoler Zeida. The mystery involves how their earliest known Yablonovsky ancestor, Yitzchak Yablonovsky (born c. 1832) and his wife, Leya (born c. 1830), were connected to the Shpoler Zeida.
There is sufficient historical information to support the Yablonovsky family’s claim of descent from the Shpoler Zeida; however, there are major data gaps and uncertainties in their line of descent, with several unknown ancestors or missing generations in the early part of their lineage. Hence, the Yablonovsky family’s line of descent from the Shpoler Zeida will remain uncertain until additional evidence from historical/genealogical documents can be found that elucidates their line of descent.
We present what is known about the Yablonovsky family’s lineage and reconstruct their line of descent to the best of our ability. We aim to make this information more widely available in the hope that it will lead to the discovery of a crucial piece of evidence that confirms their line of descent from the Shpoler Zeida.
Our decade-long genealogical research has been a dedicated pursuit to construct a family tree for a figure of profound importance in Chassidic history. This individual, born three centuries ago, is Yehuda Leib of Shpola (c. 1725–1811), a revered tzaddik known as the Saba Kadisha (Hebrew for “Holy Grandfather”) or the Shpoler Zeida (Yiddish for “Grandfather of Shpola”). His influence and teachings have left an indelible mark on Chassidic history, making our research all the more significant.
Through our research, we have identified over 5,500 descendants of the Shpoler Zeida. However, our journey was not without its share of enigmas and complexities. The intricate web of family connections, the gaps in historical records, and the challenge of verifying oral histories have all contributed to the depth and complexity of our research.
A particularly intriguing challenge was the discovery of fifteen families who claimed descent from the Shpoler Zeida, yet the specifics of their lineage remained unknown. This lack of documentation has veiled their proud heritage in a cloak of uncertainty, shrouding their connection to the Shpoler Zeida in mystery. As their lines of descent from the Shpoler Zeida were unknown, we have come to refer to them as the “Mystery Families.”
This article delves into the intriguing mystery of the Etya Zeida family (including the Achtman, Alswang, Barnett, Brodsky, Burch, Daley, Dettelbach, Dubin, Dukhovny, Elifort, Feinberg, Fenster, Fertel, Freundlich, Gale, Ganopolsky, Gefter, Gewitz, Golovanevsky, Graham, Gray, Hanfling, Isison, Israel, Kirshbaum, Klebanov, Kolkunov, Korsunsky, Kowitz, Kozhukh, Kutner, Kuvykin, Lang, Lehr, Leone, Levine, Levy, Lindy, Lipovetsky, Lipson, Luchan, Luchansky, Mansfield, Marcus, Moore, Murphy, Neralich, Neumann, Oks, Ostrow, Raman, Ratmanski, Rose, Rosenbloom, Ross, Sachs, Safarov, Sarnat, Schliffer, Schulman, Seider, Selearis, Shaland, Shenberg, Silverman, Silvestrov, Slater, Slobodkin, Slutsky, Sokolovsky, Strauss, Sundstrom, Uskov, Vader, Wagner, Walker, Weiss, Wolin, Zadeh, Zayde, Zeide, and Zinder branches), who claim descent from the Shpoler Zeida. The mystery involves how their earliest known Zeida ancestor, Shmuel Zeida (c. 1778–1851) and his wife, Etya Zeida (c. 1781–bef. 1834), are connected to the Shpoler Zeida.
In this comprehensive research study on the Etya Zeida family's descent from the Shpoler Zeida, we painstakingly traced family records, cross-referencing them with historical documents and oral histories. We also conducted Y-DNA testing to confirm biological relationships. This multi-faceted approach ensured the validity and reliability of our findings.
The available historical and genealogical evidence is sufficient to prove the Etya Zeida family’s line of descent from the Shpoler Zeida through Etya Zeida, one of the Shpoler Zeida’s previously unknown daughters, and her husband, Rabbi Shmuel Zeida.
Our decade-long genealogical research has been a dedicated pursuit to construct a family tree for a figure of profound importance in Chassidic history. This individual, born three centuries ago, is Yehuda Leib of Shpola (c. 1725–1811), a revered tzaddik known as the Saba Kadisha (Hebrew for “Holy Grandfather”) or the Shpoler Zeida (Yiddish for “Grandfather of Shpola”). His influence and teachings have left an indelible mark on Chassidic history, making our research all the more significant.
Our research has led us to identify over 5,500 descendants of the Shpoler Zeida. However, our journey was not without its share of enigmas and complexities. The intricate web of family connections, the gaps in historical records, and the challenge of verifying oral histories have all contributed to the depth and complexity of our research.
A particularly intriguing challenge was the discovery of fifteen families who claimed descent from the Shpoler Zeida, yet the specifics of their lineage remained unknown. This lack of documentation has veiled their proud heritage in a cloak of uncertainty, shrouding their connection to the Shpoler Zeida in mystery. As their lines of descent from the Shpoler Zeida were unknown, we have come to refer to them as the “Mystery Families.”
This article delves into the intriguing mystery of the Ruchlya Zeida branch of the much larger Zeida family (including the Babich, Feldman, Gross, Guinzburg, Seidel, Shulman, and Stolisky branches) claims descent from the Shpoler Zeida. The mystery involves how their earliest known Zeida ancestors, Fayvil Zeida (c. 1788–1828) and his wife, Ruchlya (born bet. 1788–1789), are connected to the Shpoler Zeida.
In this comprehensive research study on the Ruchlya Zeida family's descent from the Shpoler Zeida, we painstakingly traced family records, cross-referencing them with historical documents and oral histories. We also conducted Y-DNA testing to confirm biological relationships. This multi-faceted approach ensured the validity and reliability of our findings.
We believe that the available historical and genealogical evidence is sufficient to support the Ruchlya Zeida branch's plausible line of descent from the Shpoler Zeida through his granddaughter, Ruchlya, and to connect them to the Shpoler Zeida family tree.