Eli Rabinovich

Eli Robinson
Born	June 19, 1886(1886-06-19) Sivenzian, Russian Empire (Present day: Azerbaijan)
Spouse	Lena Paskovitz Cantor
Children	Mayer Willie Robinson Nathan Robinson Max Robinson Sidney Robinson (aka Israel?) Morris Robinson Charles Robinson Irvin Robinson
Parents	Nathan Rabinovich Esther Schulman
Relatives	Reuben Rabinovich (Brother) Moishe Rabinovich (Brother) Dora Rabinovich (Sister)

Life in the Old Country

According to Eli's naturalization papers, he was born on June 19, 1886 in the town of Sivenzian in the Russian Empire (present day Azerbaijan)

Edwin Robinson recounts, "Father Nathan had sent Reuben to Vilna for rabbinical studies as this was the cultural center of eastern Europe. Apparently Eli and another brother Moishe ended up there. It is not known if Nathan (a rabbi) ever resided there."

Before immigrating, Eli's last place of residence, in 1906, was Vilus (Vilna, Vilnius) in what is now Lithuania. According to a 1897 census, Vilus had a total population of 154,500, out of which Jews constituted 64,000 (41% percent).

Immigration to the US

In 1906, Eli boarded a ship, the Frankfort, which left Bromen, Germany and arrived in Baltimore on April 22, 1906. The following is a scan of the passenger list for that ship:

According to Edwin Robinson, "Lena was from Rozanka which is a small town next to Vilna. The towns were Polish/German/Russian—depending on what times—I think initially Poland, then Russian in the early 1900’s and then Polish again. Lena and Eli knew each other then and I think Lena preceded Eli in emigrating here by a year."

Naturalization

Eli's petition for naturalization included the following materials:

• Court: Circuit Court of U.S., for the eastern district of Virginia, at Richmond
• Petitioner: Elli Rabinowicz
• Place of residence: 930 Hickory St., Richmond, VA
• Occupation: Merchant
• Birth: June 19, 1886, at Sivenzian, Russia
• Emigrated from: Bromen, Germany, on April 22, 1906, arriving in Baltimore, MD, abord the ship Frankfort
• Wife: Lena Rabinowicz (maiden: Avarowicz?)
• Two children:
  • Willie, born in Baltimore (2/27/1908)
  • Ester, born in Richmond (2/24/1910)
• Prior allegiance: Nicholas II, Emperor of All the Russias

Life in the US

Once in the US, Eli Rabinovich changed his last name to Robinson. "He settled in Richmond, Va, and married and raised his 7 sons there. (early 1900s). Both brothers came here, separately, around 1904-1906."

Historical Records

• In 1906, Eli immigrated from Russia to the US, arriving in Baltimore on April 22, 1906
• Eli petitioned for citizenship on June 1, 1909.
• Eli registered for the WWI draft in 1917-1918. The draft card lists his birthdate as Jun 19, 1886 and states that he lives in Richmond, Wise County, Virginia
• Eli (age 34) and Lena (age 33) live in Richmond Clay Ward, Richmond (Independent City), Virginia, with children Willie (age 11), Nathan (age 8), Max (age 5), and Israel (age 3) in the 1920 Federal Census. Eli's occupation is listed as "Partnership Business Wholesale Grocery".
• Eli (age 43) and Linnie (age 42) live in Richmond, Richmond (Independent City), Virginia, with children Willie (age 22), Nathan (age 18), Max (age 16), Sidney (age 13), Morris (age 10), Charles (age 8), and Irvin (age 4) in the 1930 Federal Census. Eli is still listed as a wholesale grocery merchant. Eli is listed as having arrived in the US in 1900; Linnie in 1905. Eli and Linnie are listed as having been born in "Poland; Wilna", and their parents are all listed as having been born in Russia. (User:Jim.lindstrom: Wilna is known today as Vilnius, and is the current capital of Lithuania.)
• Eli (age 56) registered for the WWII draft. He is listed as living with Lena at 3328 Stuart Ave., Richmod, VA. His employer is Robinson-Gordon-Flax Co., at 113 S. 12th Street. (User:Jim.lindstrom: This building still stands)