The first to arrive in the U.S. was Morris’ sister Mali Bund who emigrated from Romania via Havre, France, arriving in New York December 7, 1902 at age 19. Eight months later, Mali married Julius Ackerman. She resided in various parts of New York City until her death in 1955.
Their sister Adele Bund, also from Romania, was next to immigrate. She arrived in New York June 5, 1904 at age 18 after having lived in Liverpool since November 1903. Adele married Frank Berkowitz in 1916 but tragically died in childbirth in 1919, having lost 2 other children soon after they were born in 1916 and 1917.
Morris Bund arrived on June 22, 1904, the same month as Adele. I wonder why the two siblings did not travel together. The manifest lists Morris as Moses, his age as 36, that he previously lived in Liverpool for 3 years, and he was born in Austria. Morris was already married to Tillie Schneider but she didn’t immigrate to the U.S. until 1905 along with their two children (one of whom was my grandmother Lillian Bund). Morris lived in New York City until his death in 1924.
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| Morris Bund and family, c. 1920 |
Morris and his siblings’ father, Herman Bund, was born in Lemberg, Austria (now Lviv, Ukraine) in 1844. He emigrated to the U.S. via the S.S. Teutonic arriving at Ellis Island on January 5, 1905. Herman previously attempted to emigrate on the S.S. Majestic which arrived in New York on December 16, 1904, but it appears he was sent back to Liverpool because he had scarlet fever. Prior to emigrating, Herman resided in Liverpool for 12 months where he may have lived with his son Morris. Herman lived in NYC until his death in 1911.
Siblings Gussie (“Golde”), age 21, and Jacob (“Jakale”), age 26, traveled together from Bucharest aboard the S.S. Carpathia, departing from Fiume and arriving in New York on February 26, 1906. Gussie married Morris Pudis in 1915 and she lived in NYC until her death in 1960. Jacob married Ray Leibowitz in 1912 and lived in New York until his death in 1961.
Herman’s wife Betty arrived in New York at the age of 55 on July 24, 1906 aboard the S.S. Potsdam. Her previous residence was Bucharest, Romania and she sailed from Rotterdam, so apparently did not stop over for a brief stay in Liverpool as her husband did. She traveled with Aron Bund, age 16 and Abraham Bund, age 11. I have not been able to find any further information about these two presumed sons of Herman and Betty. Betty lived in New York City until her death in 1921.
After Mali arrived, her siblings and parents all listed her or her husband Julius Ackerman on the manifest as the person they were planning to join, except Betty listed her husband Herman.
Learning about these additional siblings of my great-grandfather -- Mali, Adele, Jacob, and Gussie -- has enabled me to uncover numerous more cousins. We all descend from Herman Bund and Betty Ralis.
Note: A Mystery
My great-grandfather’s brother Fred Bund’s origin remains a mystery. One of his descendants told me he was born in Romania but he claimed he was born in the U.S. (New York). Records show he was born between 1892 and 1898. In that his parents, Herman and Betty immigrated to the U.S. in 1905 and 1906, respectively, Fred’s birth place is most likely Romania. But so far, I’ve been unable to find a ship manifest or naturalization record for him or any other record showing a birth place other than the U.S.
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| Fred Bond |
My research continues ….