Today's trawl through the archive finally rediscovered the original photocopy of what we presume is Grandfather Avram Haim Davidovitz's birth certificate (still 'presume' because Lionel did not think it was him - and the full debate is on-line in the history section). I got this from the Ciechanow records in Poland in 2004.
We have a rough translation below, but if anyone knows a Russian translator who can give a more accurate rendering, in particular of the place names, it would be very helpful. Tomorrow I will post his wedding certificate from Hull in 1899.
" No. 125 the village of Krazh. It took place in the town of Tsekhanov in the year of 1868 on the first day of July at nine o'clock after midnight. Leorek Davidovich came in person, a worker living in the village of Krazh, 23 years old, in the presence of shkolniki (interpreter comments: this is translated as schoolchildren from the Russian) Abram Vontroby, 53 years old, and Gershon Totengreber, 31 years old, living in the town of Tsekhanov, to present us a baby,a male, born in the village of Krazh on the twenty second day of June this year at four o'clock after midnight by
his wife Estera Elka, maiden name Kats,26 years old. When the religious ritual was being performed the baby was given the name of Abram Khaim. This akt was signed by us and the witnesses after it had been read. The father cannot write.
Sinatures: Abram Vantroba, Gershon Totengreber
A person in charge of civil state akts
(signature) "
