Subject: Emigration and immigration

This 63-page book, published in 1913 under the auspices of the Connecticut Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR), serves as a guide for Jewish immigrants to the United States. It is a nearly literal translation of the second Yiddish edition and includes a large map of the USA in both Yiddish and English, as well as photographs. The book aims to assist Jewish immigrants in navigating their new lives in America.

Issue of the American and Mercantile Daily Advertiser newspaper published in Baltimore, Maryland on February 6, 1800. This issue contains an article mentioning Mordecai, the first Jew in Allentown, PA.

This pamphlet reprints the text of an Act of Parliament passed in 1739 (13 George II, c. 7), which granted naturalization to foreign Protestants settling in British American colonies. Significantly, it included provisions for Jews, offering a path to naturalization without requiring adherence to Christian practices or oaths, a notable step toward religious tolerance in the British colonies. The act aimed to encourage foreign immigration to populate the colonies. This copy is from John Baskett's printing. The pamphlet includes the seal of King George II on the title page.

This pamphlet reprints an act of Parliament from November 18, 1746, extending the provisions of an earlier act (from June 5, 1740) granting naturalization rights to foreign Protestants in the American colonies. Significantly, this extension also applied to foreign Protestants who conscientiously scrupled taking an oath, effectively including Jews who were exempt from oaths according to the laws of England. The reprinted act was published in 1747 by Thomas Baskett, Printer to the King. This copy is a first printing and shows the coat of arms on the title page. This pamphlet is significant for its inclusion of Jews under the definition of those entitled to naturalization, reflecting the evolving legal landscape of religious tolerance in the 18th century.

This 16-page pamphlet, published in Frankfurt am Main by L. Bronner in 1882, reports on the establishment of the first Russian Jewish settlement in the United States, located in Catahoula Parish, Louisiana. The settlement, sponsored by the Hebrew Foreign Mission Society of New Orleans and the Hebrew Emigrant Aid Society of New York, was an agricultural colony at Sicily Island. The project ultimately failed after two years due to flooding from the Mississippi River. This German-language edition is rare; WorldCat lists only two copies worldwide, with none previously recorded in the United States. The collection also holds an English translation.

Billhead from Hubash, Joseph / Elleau, H./ Kurtz, G.M. dated June 18, 1877, addressed to Salomen D. Schoenfeld at 328 Bushe Street, San Francisco, California. The billhead is accompanied by a biographical sketch of Salomen D. Schoenfeld, detailing his emigration from Westphalia, Germany in 1836, his arrival in the United States and subsequent business ventures in New York, California (Red Bluff), Nevada (Star City), and Idaho (Silver City). The sketch describes Schoenfeld's entrepreneurial activities, real estate holdings, family life, and involvement in the Masonic fraternity.

Billhead from S.B. Dinkelspiel located at 328 Bush Street, San Francisco, California, dated August 6, 1877. The billhead is made out to Salomen D. Schoenfeld, a prominent citizen and merchant of Red Bluff, California. The document includes a detailed biographical sketch of Salomen D. Schoenfeld, recounting his emigration from Germany in 1856, his entrepreneurial endeavors in California, Nevada, and Idaho, his real estate investments, and his family life. The biographical information is repeated twice within the document.

Printed certificate documenting the academic achievements of Albert Siegfried Bettelheim, dated July 6, 1852. The certificate, in German, lists courses completed and is filled in by hand. This is one of nine documents from the Albert Siegfried Bettelheim archive (1830-1890).

Certificate of membership issued by the Comorner Israeliten-Gemeinde to Aaron Siegfried Bettelheim on May 9, 1860. The certificate includes printed text and handwritten annotations, seals, and signatures of five individuals (Weifs/Goldberg/Polak...). This is one of nine documents from the Bettelheim, Albert Sigfried (1830-1890) archive.

Collection of five handwritten letters, primarily in German with one in Yiddish, from the Loeb family of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The letters span the 1860s and 1870s and include correspondence between family members and others, referencing locations in Germany including Ungstein and Koblenz. Also included is a letterhead from Ludwig Loeb of Philadelphia, PA, with a handwritten list of family birthdays.

This archival item consists of an invitation to Mr. & Mrs. H. H. Cohen's home on Wednesday, February 16th (likely 1866), along with two additional cards mentioning a ceremony at 12:00 o'clock and Miss Elizabeth Cohen. The item also includes a personal letter, largely focused on the death of the writer's father, family matters, and a nephew's emigration to British Columbia. The letter mentions greetings from Mr. Belasco, Mrs. Piciotto, and a sister, as well as from the writer's husband, Solomon Almosnino. The letter is addressed to Isaac Leeser. Found in an envelope addressed to Isaac Leeser.

Legal document pertaining to travel from Liebenau, Lower Saxony, Germany to Baltimore, Maryland, dated June 8, 1851. This document, possibly related to immigration or emigration, involves Magnus Cohen and Arnoleine Cohen. A companion piece is noted as 18.185.

A letter book containing eight letters, four on each page, written to and from Rev. H. A. Henry concerning his search for a rabbinical position in the United States in 1849. The correspondents include prominent figures in the British Jewish community, such as Simeon Abrahams, Henry S. Keeling, David Salomons, Abraham Kisch, John Salmon, and A. Rothschild. The letters document Henry's journey from London to America, his initial engagement to Louisville, and his eventual position in Cincinnati at the B'nai Jeshurun Synagogue. The letters were subsequently used by Isaac Leeser for the Occident.

A single-sheet letter (8 x 10 inches) written on both sides. One side contains a letter from Abraham Leeser, written from Sternberg, Germany, in 1823, to his nephew Isaac Leeser in Munster, Germany. The letter is written in Yiddish and includes a reliable English translation (circa 1950). Abraham discusses Isaac's impending departure for America and proposes joining him. The other side features a letter from Isaac's sister, Leah Lippmann, also written in 1823. She responds to a request from Isaac and mentions her busy life as a housewife with seven children. She also expresses her desire to visit Isaac before he leaves for America and her intention to depart her current residence. The back of the sheet shows the original handwritten address in German script to Isaac Leeser in Munster, with his name additionally written in bold English script. This letter is significant in American Jewish history, reflecting Isaac Leeser's pivotal decision to emigrate to America. Details from this letter are cited in L. J. Sussman's biography, "Isaac Leeser in the Making of American Judaism" (1995).

Official letter written in Dutch in Amsterdam on August 9, 1819, concerning Aaron Moses Dropsie (1794-1839). The letter likely pertains to Dropsie's immigration to the United States. He arrived in Philadelphia on September 27, 1819, aboard the ship *Dido*. This letter is one of four personal and family documents related to Dropsie and his family.

Four-page letter written by Augusta Tobias in Seacombe, England, on June 7, 1838, to Henry Tobias in New York City. The letter contains family news and mentions a surprise reaction from people at the synagogue upon learning of Henry's departure. The last sentence is incomplete, suggesting a possible missing page.

Handwritten letter from Cauffman H. Meyer in San Francisco to Isaac Leeser in Philadelphia, dated August 10, 1862. The letter discusses the remittance of funds for Congregation Emanu-El and Meyer's plans to move to Carson City, Nevada, where he had invested in a business with A. Fleishhaecker. Meyer was Isaac Leeser's book and newspaper agent in San Francisco.

A three-page letter written in German and English from Charles L. and R. L. Mailert and Laura [?] Mailert in Kassel, Germany to their brother Augustus Mailert in Richmond, Virginia on July 4, 1848. The letter discusses family matters, the 1848 revolutions in Germany, and includes references to their deceased mother. Accompanying materials include a typescript translation of the German portions and preliminary translation attempts.

Handwritten letter in Hebrew from David Aronsohn in San Francisco to Dr. Aaron Albert Siegfried Bettelheim, likely in Baltimore. Dated December 30, 1886. The letter discusses personal matters and events in San Francisco since Bettelheim's departure. One page in length.

A one-page letter dated November 29, 1854, from E. H. Lindo in Curaçao, Dutch West Indies, to Isaac Leeser in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Lindo discusses selling prayer books and prayer shawls for Leeser, requests a set of tefillin, and announces his impending emigration to Australia due to economic hardship in Curaçao.

A four-page letter written in German by Emanuel Kaufmann on April 27, 1893. The letterhead identifies Kaufmann as a dealer in dry goods, clothing, and jewelry in Selville, Ohio. The letter details Kaufmann's plans to leave Selville, Ohio, and move to Wads(?), Ohio. The letter requires translation.

Letter from George Randorf, Agent of the Association of Jewish Immigrants, to Louis E. Levy, President of the Association of Jewish Immigrants, written on organizational letterhead. The letter discusses a Jewish immigration case involving the Butchatchin family. The letter was written in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on July 30, 1890.

Letter from George Randorf, former agent of the Association of Jewish Immigrants, to Louis E. Levy, President of the Association, dated November 17, 1890. Randorf informs Levy that he has sent all the papers he could find from his work with the Association and that he attempted to resign his position as a government interpreter per Levy's request, but his resignation was not accepted. The letter was written from 616 Spruce Street, Philadelphia, PA.

Letter from George Randorf, former agent of the Association of Jewish Immigrants, to Louis E. Levy, President of the Association, requesting a letter of reference and seeking forgiveness for any unintentional offense caused by his departure. Written in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on September 29, 1890.

Two-page handwritten letter from H. Cohan in Liverpool, England, to his "cousins," Mr. and Mrs. T. Tobias in New York, New York, dated November 24, 1833. Cohan expresses disappointment and hurt at the lack of contact from their son during his time in Liverpool. The letter's reverse side shows a postmark and address to Tobias as "Merchant, New York."

A two-page, stampless letter written by I. A. Melhado to Henry Tobias in London, England, on February 22, 1846. The letter expresses regret at Henry and Augusta's impending return to America due to Henry's health, and mentions U.S. bank bonds left by Melhado's aunt.

A one-page letter, neatly penned, from Isiah Ederheimer to Isaac Leeser, dated June 13, 1832, in New York. Ederheimer informs Leeser of his upcoming trip to Europe and the need for a duplicate marriage certificate, the original being mistakenly believed to be in his possession but actually held by his brother in California. He requests that Leeser procure the duplicate certificate in German and assures payment for any associated costs.

Letter written on the letterhead of the Office of U.S. Superintendent of Immigration, Barge Office, New York, New York, by James R. O'Beirne to Ferdinand Levy on July 12, 1890. The letter pertains to the retrieval of baggage belonging to Benjamin Chercosky. The letter's address is 67th Park Row, New York, NY.

Letter written on official letterhead from John B. Weber, Superintendent of Immigration at the Office of U.S. Superintendent of Immigration, Barge Office, New York, to the Hon. Ferdinand Levy on May 16, 1890. The letter concerns the baggage of Benjamin Chercosky, which was being held. The letter references previous correspondence between Levy and General O'Beirne and a letter from Mr. Raudorf.

Letter from Jon. Ehrlich, Agent of the Association of Jewish Immigrants, to Louis E. Levy, President of the Association of Jewish Immigrants. Written on organizational letterhead, the letter discusses the Lerman family and their need for assistance in sending money to New York to retrieve their baggage from Russia. Philadelphia, PA and New York, NY. September 25, 1890.

Three-page letter written on April 18, 1849, by Joseph Bloch in Mobile, Alabama, to his family in Wachenheim an der Weinstrasse, Germany. The letter details the struggles of a music teacher and the experiences of Jews in Mobile, Alabama during the mid-19th century.

Letter written by L. I. Akin in Amsterdam, Netherlands, to his brother Eugene Akin in New Bedford, Massachusetts, on July 19, 1820. Akin describes a ship in port bound for Philadelphia carrying a diverse group of passengers, including a notably large number of Jews (40) along with Germans, Italians, French, and a Turk. The letter provides insight into immigration patterns to the United States in 1820. Akin was a sailor awaiting passage back to the USA.

Letter from Louis E. Levy, President of the Association of Jewish Immigrants, to George Randorf, Agent of the Association, dated August 3, 1890. Written on organizational letterhead, the letter responds to Randorf's previous day's request to discuss cases of Jewish immigrants presenting novel problems for the organization. The letter was written in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Letter written by Mayer Sulzberger on May 26, 1880, on the letterhead of Mayer Sulzberger, 6th & Chestnut, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The letter is one of a set of four letters written to Simon Muhr while he was traveling abroad. The letter includes news about the Young Men's Hebrew Association (YMHA).

A handwritten letter from Menachem Eliyahu Meyer Kushbaum to an unknown recipient, discussing personal and family matters with a mention of Cleveland, Ohio. The letter is written in English and Hebrew and is dated circa 1885.

A two-page letter dated December 3, 1843, from Michael Samuel in Colchester, England, to his cousin, Michael Samuel, in Chatham, New Brunswick. The letter discusses family matters, business dealings, and the death of Simcha. The letter displays various postal markings.

Period copy of a letter dated January 19, 1847, from Moses Montifiore to Gershom Kursheedt and Solomon Isaacs in New York. The letter expresses gratitude for the congregations' donation of 64 pounds sterling to "our poor brethren in the Holy Land." Montifiore notes that the Distribution Committee in Amsterdam will manage the disbursement of funds. The verso contains a note requesting publication of the letter, suggesting its intended publication in the Occident, edited by Isaac Leeser. The letter is a full single page measuring 8" x 10". A related item (20-658) in the collection documents a separate donation of one hundred and forty dollars sent to Hersh Lehrem in Amsterdam for the same purpose. By 1824, the Amarkalim Society in Amsterdam served as the primary collection agency for charitable aid to the Holy Land, with significant contributions from Gershom Kursheedt and Shearith Israel.

A two-page personal letter written by Mrs. A. Bloch to Isaac Leeser on May 22, 1835. The letter was written from Baltimore, Maryland, and discusses Mrs. Bloch's feelings about not hearing from Leeser, her family life, and her sadness related to a recent loss in Leeser's family. It offers insight into Leeser's relationships with friends who had immigrated from Europe to the United States.

A four-page letter written by Rebecca Tobias in Sanfield, West Darby, England, to her cousin Henry Tobias in New York City on October 22, 1837. The letter contains family news, expresses concern for her father's safe arrival in America, and mentions the upcoming Passover holiday. It also details the financial struggles of Lewis and his wife and Rebecca's efforts to find work.

Letter from S. Sheneinan, Secretary of the United States Commissioners of Immigration, to George Raudorf, dated June 25, 1890. Written on office letterhead from 1224 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA, the letter explains that the Commissioners cannot assist with the case of Raudorf's client's detained baggage because their office only handles immigrants arriving in Philadelphia, while the client arrived in New York.

A four-page letter written by Sarah Almosnino from the Bevis Marks Synagogue in London, England, to Rev. Sabato Morais in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on September 16, 1865. The letter, written on black-bordered stationery, details the death of her father and discusses family matters and friends. She mentions her nephew's emigration to British Columbia and conveys greetings from Mr. Belasco, Mrs. Piciotto, and her sister.

A 2 1/2-page letter written by Tobias J. Tobias in New York City on December 14, 1853, to Clement Hooverman in London. The letter expresses happiness about Hooverman's upcoming trip to New York, congratulates him on his engagement, and discusses opportunities in the American wine business.

A one-page letter written by Zalma Rehine in Baltimore, Maryland, on 1833 to his nephew, Isaac Leeser. The letter conveys well wishes from friends and relatives, expresses concern for Leeser's health, and mentions the impending departure of Phineas Block for Philadelphia. It also alludes to the Block/Bloch family's history in Virginia and Baltimore.

Letter of recommendation for Aaron Bettelheim, a teacher and preacher, written by Galo'lz Karlstein on August 6, 1849. This letter is one of ten documents from the Albert Siegfried Bettelheim archive (1830-1890).

Letter of recommendation for Aaron Bettelheim, a teacher and mohel in Košice, Slovakia, dated March 24, 1867. Written in German.

Letter of resignation from George Randorf, Agent of the Association of Jewish Immigrants, to Louis E. Levy, President of the Association, written on organizational letterhead. Randorf cites poor health as the reason for his resignation. Philadelphia, PA, September 14, 1890.

A lengthy handwritten letter in Yiddish, addressed to Isaac Leeser in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in 1834. The letter, measuring 8 x 13 inches, displays three postmarks: one from a Continental European country (possibly Germany), one from Le Havre, France, and one from New York City. The reverse side of the letter was used as cover, and is folded to 4 x 5 inches. The letter shows signs of aging and fading, with some minor damage including holes and tears. The letter's content is expected to be significant in understanding Leeser's early days in America following his emigration from Germany. Because very little of Leeser's personal correspondence survives, this letter requires research and translation.

This 1650 edition of Menasseh Ben Israel's *Mikveh Yisrael* (Hope of Israel), printed in Ladino (Judeo-Spanish) by Semuel ben Israel Soeiro in Amsterdam, is a seminal work arguing that the Lost Tribes of Israel are to be found in the Americas. The book prominently features the account of Aharon Levi (Antonio de Montezinos), who describes encountering South American Indians—descendants of the tribes of Reuben and Levi—who maintained ancient Jewish practices. This work's popularity led to translations in Dutch, Latin, Hebrew, Yiddish, and English, significantly influencing the readmission of Jews to England in 1655.

Issue No. 11 of Volume XI, Whole No. 971 of Niles' Weekly Register, a newspaper published in Baltimore, Maryland on November 9, 1816. This issue contains a description of Algiers, Melish's Map of the United States, and a lengthy article on the 'gathering of the Jews,' discussing efforts to establish a Jewish homeland in Palestine. The article is a reprint from the London Courier.

An official letter written in Dutch by Moses Isaak in Amsterdam on August 4, 1819, concerning Aaron Moses Dropsie (1794-1839). The letter likely pertains to Dropsie's immigration to the United States. Dropsie arrived in Philadelphia on September 27, 1819, aboard the ship *Dido*. This letter is one of four personal and family documents related to Dropsie.

Italian passport issued to Sabato Morais on June 22, 1854. Morais was born in Livorno, Italy in 1823 and resided in London at the time of issuance. The passport features elaborate printing and is handwritten in part. This document is part of a larger collection relating to the life and career of Sabato Morais, a significant figure in American Judaism.

Postcard mailed from San Francisco, California to Asher Marks in Roseburg, Oregon on January 1, 1873. The message is written in German and Hebrew. The sender's signature is in Hebrew.

This 35-page book, published in New York in 1882, is a report by Julius Goldman on the efforts of the Hebrew Emigrant Aid Society of the United States to settle Russian Jewish refugees in the American West. The report details the challenges and successes of this colonization effort, offering valuable insights into the experiences of Jewish immigrants at the time and the role of the Hebrew Emigrant Aid Society in assisting their resettlement.

Stereoscopic view card depicting immigrants landing from a barge at Ellis Island, New York. Published by the Keystone View Company, circa 1914. Part of the Judaica Americana collection.

Trade card advertising Cone Brothers, publishers of the Emigrants' Guide. The address 409 Locust Street is handwritten over 5 South Fifth Street. The reverse details land for sale. Circa 1885.

Trade card for Meyer & Co., an emigrant hotel in Hamburg, Germany, circa 1860s. The card advertises lodging and goods for emigrants, likely those immigrating to the United States. The card features an illustration and text in German. It measures 5 x 3 inches and is printed in black ink on cream-colored card stock.

Two letters dated 1862 from Jeanette Elkus to her uncle, Isaac Leeser. Written in ungrammatical English, the letters express gratitude, love, and allude to divine goodness. One letter, measuring 8 x 10 inches, includes Hebrew/Yiddish on half of the second page. The letters detail the family's well-being in Denekamp, Holland, and mention a devastating storm in nearby Enschede. This correspondence represents part of the only known surviving group of family letters to Isaac Leeser from Europe, as he reportedly requested the destruction of his personal letters. These letters are from the personal papers of Isaac Leeser.

Stock certificate for one share in the United States Freehold Land and Emigration Company, issued to Wertheim and Gompertz on July 15, 1871, in New York City. The certificate, number 323, is signed by President C.A. Lambard and Secretary William H. Reynolds and features a vignette of a steam locomotive and workers. Printed by Major & Knapp. The company, established in 1869, promoted emigration to the Costilla Estate (500,000 acres) in Colorado and New Mexico's San Luis Valley.