July 5, 1914 - Meanwhile on Ellis Island

In 1891 Boruch Srapocznik was born in Odessa, Russia. In about 1912 or 1913 at the age of about 21 Boruch set out for America. There were quotas in America and therefore he left Russia and went to Buenos Aires where he stayed until he was able to complete his journey to the United States. On June 11, 1914 he left Buenos Aires and arrived 24 days later at Ellis Island.

Below is a copy of the receipt for his ticket for the trip. Because we had this information we were able to locate the ship manifest for the SS Vauban in the files at Ellis Island and find where Boruch was listed and all of the information they needed about him. He was a 23 year old tailor with brown eyes and dark brown hair. He was a small man, as it states, only 5 feet 5 inches tall. The manifest states that he was going to stay with his brother-in-law David Etin in New York. In fact, we do not believe he had a brother-in-law so we assume it was a cousin or a friend of the family that had settled here earlier.

Below is the receipt for this exciting journey. It cost $4.00 for a Third Class ticket.

 Here is a painting of the ship. Third class must have made for an uncomfortable journey for 24 days.

Here is the spread in the log book when Boruch was signed into Ellis Island. I have highlighted in pink where his name is.

So who is Boruch Srapocznik? Why am I including this on the blog about Joe and Helen?

In America Boruch became Benjamin (Bennie) Shapiro. He continued his craft and skill as a tailor and eventually met Gertrude (Gussie) Zimmerman. They wed and they eventually became Joe and Helen's in-laws.

As I write this I realize that both of my grandfathers were aboard ships within miles of each other. One, an educated lawyer from Connecticut embarking on an exciting career and courting a Barnard College sophomore. The other, a poor tailor arriving in a country where he did not speak the language, only had slight acquaintances, given a new name and entering the unknown.


The next letter is July 25.