Boris (Borispolsky) side: My father's paternal branch

The known history of the Boris side of our family tree begins with my great-grandparents,  Yaakov Moshe Borispolsky and his wife Ana Bessie (Chana Batya?)  (nee) Swirsky.   (Hyman Boris lists his father as Jacob Boris and his mother as Bessie Rachlin on Joseph Boris’ certificate of death in 1941.  I believe “Rachlin” may refer to a Hebrew name, Rachel.  But this is just a guess. )

For a while, at least, Yaakov Moshe and Chana Borispolski lived in Mozir, Russia, because that is where my grandfather, Joseph Boris, was born.  Mozir is located in Belorus, in the extreme south, just north of the border between Belorus and Ukraine, in Minsk guberniya. (Click here for map of Mozyr.)  (Click here for satellite photo of Mozyr.) 

There are two known children of Yaakov Moshe and Ana Bessie: Joseph (Yosef) and Hyman (Yehoshua?), both of whom immigrated to America.  However, on the family photograph, there are other children, and we do not have any knowledge of any other than Hyman and Joseph. 

Origins of the surname Borispolsky: We are not exactly sure of its origin, or where the Borispolski family came from before Mozyr.  The most likely answer is that it was "Barishpolski", a common Jewish surname in Kiev, and that the family immigrated toward the Baltic Sea from there.  The surname "Barishpolski" is said to derive from B (ben) R (rabbi) SH (Shimon), with "polski" tacked on.

Origins of the maternal surname Swirsky: This name may indicate that Ana Bessie came from the town of Swir, located in Belarus.  Swir is just south of the border between Belarus and Lithuania.  Click here to read more about Swir.
 

Immigration History: 
Borischpolsky

The first Borispolsky I found immigrating to the US – arriving through Ellis Island on August 8, 1912, was Chasia Borispolsky, age 23, married, age 27, traveling with her three sons,  Lael (?) 6 yo)< (4 yo), Lieb, and Itzig (infant).   She was traveling to Philadelphia, to be with her husband, Abraham Borischpolsky, who was living at 415 Lombard Street.  She indicated she was born in Bialacerkow, indicating it was part of Kiev.   She indicated the name of her closest living relative n Bialacerkow was Hershel Gligin (spelling?).  We have not been able to link this Borispolsky with our family tree.


Joseph  Borispolsky (1888 - 1941)  (Yosef ben Yaakov Moshe)

1913: We have found his immigration Passenger Listing as “Josef Borispolski”, arriving at the Port of Philadelphia on March 20, 1913, age 25, Estimated Birth Year, 1888.  He listed his Birthplace, Mosyr, Russia, Last Residence: Minsk; father, Yankel Borispolski, currently in Mozyr.  He was met at the Port by Hyman Borispolski; he is headed to Johnstown PA.


1917: Next, on June 5, 1917 Joseph Borispolsky registered for the draft for WW1.  He listed his birth date as June 10,1888, place of birth Mozir, Russia.  He was a clerk employed by his brother Hyman Boris at 119 Broad Street, Johnstown.  He was single. He indicated that he was a Private in the Infantry in Russia and served for 3 years.  He signed his name as Joseph Borispolsky.  His height was “medium”, build “stout”, hair black, eyes, black.  (If he was born in 1888, he was 29 at the time. If he was born in 1892, he was 26.)

I have been unable to locate Joseph Boris in the 14^th Census of the United States (1920), who would be 32 at that time.

On June 29, 1922, Joseph Boris and Ida Tanur applied for a  License in the City of Philadelphia.  Joseph Boris listed his occupation as merchant, place of residence as 5841 Larchwood Avenue, and date of birth as July 15, 1892.  He listed his mother as Ana Bessie and indicated that (in 1922) both his mother and father were deceased. (If he was born in 1892, he was 30 at the time and if he was born in 1888, he was 34 at the time.  We theory that he is born in 1888, since his 26-year old wife Ida was born in 1896, and this would make him a younger 30, not an older 34.)

1930: Joseph and Ida Boris were living with the Jacob and Lena Sporkin and their two youngest children, Mollie (11 yo)  and Charles (8 yo) .  The Sporkin family and Joseph and Ida Boris were listed in the 1930 Census Record, along with Theona ( Chana Tuba) (7 yo) and Jerome (Yaakov Moshe) (5 yo).  They lived on North 7^th Street. But Nathan (17 yo), Morris (15 yo) and Abraham (13 yo), the older children are not listed. Betty Ida was born to Joseph and Ida Boris at that time.

 

 

In 1936, Joseph Boris moved to New York City, to 91 Second Avenue.  He got a job at Turin’s Restaurant, at 76 Second Avenue, as a singing waiter.  He was 48.  (I have photographs of his place of residence; the restaurant is across the street and down one block and has been converted to a Spanish church.)  (He applied for Social Security on Dec. 14, 1936.)

<--  91 Second Avenue (pictured in November, 2006)

1941: He returned to Uniontown PA, living at 77-1/2 Main Street. His brother and sister-in-law were also living in Johnstown.  Joseph Boris was niftar on June 5, 1941, at 6 pm.  He is buried in the Holy Society Cemetery, Uniontown., PA

 

 

Hyman Boris

Hyman was my dad's uncle, my grandfather's brother. 

Jan. 15, 1882 - "Uncle Hymie" was born on this date (according to his WWII Draft Registration card).

I have found no immigration record for Hyman Boris or Hyman Borispolski.

1918:  Hyman Boris' WWI Draft Registration card lists his address as 119 Broad Street, Johnstown, Cambria, PA.  He indicated his wife “Saidie Boris”.  His occupation was “merchant”, at the same 119 Broad Street address.  Physical characteristics, height 5’6”, eyes brown, hair dark brown.

1920: The next listing jumped to 1920, the 14^th Census of the United States.  Hyman (Hymie) and Sadie Boris were living at 115b Broad Street, Johnstown (Cambria County), with their 3 children, Rebecca (6), Jacob (5) and Bessie (2).  They had a servant, Mary Belah.  (It is this that I believe links Joseph Boris to Ida Tanur: Hyman Boris lived in Johnstown and Ida Tanur lived outside of Altoona, and I believe they may have met - or been set up - here in western PA.)

During WW2, Hymie and Sarah Boris were living in in Jamaica, NY.  He indicated he was working for the Capital Home Improvement Co., 125 W. Main St., Uniontown.

1972: Sadie Boris died in Jamaica, Queens, NY, in June, 1972.  Her date of birth was April 15, 1887.