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Taylor-Tatelbaum Family Papers

 Collection
Identifier: P-213

Scope and Content Note

This collection includes ephemera, college papers, awards and professional projects relating to Alan Taylor, as well as a variety of genealogical information pertaining to the Taylor-Tatelbaum family of Boston, Massachusetts. The collection contains naturalization certificates for Harry and Fannie Cohen and Barney and Jennie Tatelbaum, and marriage and death certificates. A family tree and genealogical research is also included. The collection provides a broad overview of the assimilation of an immigrant Jewish family into the American cultural mainstream.

Dates

  • undated, 1908-1990

Language of Materials

The collection is in English.

Access Restrictions

This collection is open for researcher use. Please contact us to request access or to make an appointment to view this collection at jhcreference@nehgs.org.

Use Restrictions

There may be some restrictions on the use of this collection. For more information contact jhcreference@nehgs.org.

Biographical Note

The Taylor-Tatelbaum family included Barnett (Barney) Tatelbaum and his wife, Jennie (Cohen), daughter Lillian (Cutler) and son Alan (Abraham) Taylor. Jennie was born to Harry Cohen and Fannie Epstein in Rovno, Russia, and immigrated to the United States with her parents. She was naturalized on April 21, 1941, and died on December 9, 1951.

Barney Tatelbaum was born in Russia (possibly Poland at the time) and was naturalized on November 15, 1926. Jennie and Barney were married in Boston on March 5, 1914. They later had Lillian, born around 1916 and Abraham (Alan), born on May 8, 1919. Barney Tatelbaum's parents are listed as Nissel and Sarah; Jennie's are listed as Harry and Fiesel (known as Fanny) Cohen.

Harry Cohen was born in Russia and died in Boston at the age of 58 on September 18, 1928. Fannie Cohen was also born in Russia and died in Revere, Massachusetts on February 4, 1949 at the age of 74. In addition to their daughter, Jennie, they had three sons: Jack, Louis and Mitchell.

The bulk of the collection focuses on Alan Taylor (born Abraham Tatelbaum). Alan lived in several areas of Boston, including the West End, Roxbury, Mattapan and Dorchester. A graduate of Roxbury Memorial High School in 1936, he later attended Boston University before receiving his A.B. (1944) and A.M. (1948) from Calvin Coolidge College. In 1940, he entered the U.S. Civil Service and worked for the Post Office, Government Printing Office, the Navy Department, and Veterans Administration. He married Bertha Kaplan on August 30, 1949 and they had four children: Gerald, Michael, David and Marjorie. Later research on the part of Alan Taylor indicates part of his family originated from Ostrog, in Poland.

Alan was also a certified Nursing Home Administrator and volunteered on numerous committees, including the School Board, Conservation Commission (which he helped found) and the Commission on Aging. Taylor was dedicated to the conservation of cultural and scenic landmarks and wrote many letters to politicians; response letters from these individuals are in the collection.

Chronology

March 5, 1914
Barney Tatelbaum marries Jennie Cohen in Boston.
1916
Lillian Tatelbaum is born to Barney and Jennie Tatelbaum.
May 8, 1919
Abraham Tatelbaum is born to Barney and Jenny, later changes his name to Alan Taylor.
November 15, 1926
Barney Tatelbaum becomes a naturalized U.S. Citizen.
September 18, 1928
Harry Cohen dies in Boston at age 58.
1936
Alan Taylor graduates from Roxbury Memorial High School.
1940
Alan Taylor enters the U.S. Civil Service, eventually working for the Post Office, Government Printing Office, the Navy Department and Veterans Administration.
April 21, 1941
Jennie (Cohen) Tatelbaum becomes a naturalized U.S. citizen.
1944
Alan Taylor graduates with his A.B. from Calvin Coolidge College.
1948
Alan Taylor graduates with his A.M. from Calvin Coolidge College.
February 4, 1949
Fannie Cohen dies in Revere, Massachusetts, at age 74.
August 30, 1949
Alan Taylor marries Bertha Kaplan.
March 5, 1951
Jennie (Cohen) Tatelbaum dies.

Extent

1 linear feet (2 manuscript boxes, 1 OS folder)

Abstract

The Taylor-Tatelbaum Family resided in the Boston area. These papers include those of Barney and Jennie Tatelbaum, Harry and Fannie Cohen, and Alan Taylor (nee Abraham Tatelbaum.) The collection includes genealogical information, photographs, college papers, yearbooks, correspondence, plaques, naturalization certificates and vital records.

Physical Location

Located in Boston, Mass.

Acquisition Information

Acquisition information for the bulk of the collection is unknown. The photo CD was donated separately by David and Karen Taylor in March 2012.

Processing Information

This collection was previously re-processed by Stephanie Call, made possible by a grant from the Schilder Family Fund, on March 2, 2009. It was previously encoded by Marvin Rusinek on August 3, 2009. Reprocessed by Kelsey Sawyer, 2016.

Title
Guide to the Taylor-Tatelbaum Family Papers, P-213
Author
Reprocessed by Kelsey Sawyer
Date
2016
Language of description
Undetermined
Script of description
Code for undetermined script
Sponsor
This collection has been digitized, made possible by a grant from the Trustees u/w of Herman Dana.

Repository Details

Part of the Wyner Family Jewish Heritage Center at American Ancestors Repository

Contact:
99-101 Newbury Street
Boston MA 02116 United States
617-226-1245