The first member of this family to immigrate was Sam (#P11). The passenger arrival records for the Port of Baltimore shows Schloime Deckelbaum, a single, 21 year-old butcher, arriving on December 5, 1903. His last place of residence was in Rafalovka. His destination in America was to his cousin D. Weissblatt at 102 Market Place in Baltimore. This was Schloime’s first trip to America.
"Broche Dackelbaum" (Rebecca, #P18) arrived at the port of New York on March 13, 1906 aboard the steamer Kroonland. She was an 18 year-old single girl. Her last place of residence was in Rachwalowk (Rafalovka). Her destination in America was to her brother Schloime Deckelbaum at 78 Madison Street in New York.
Sam (#P33) returned to Rafalovka sometime between 1907 and 1908. He sailed to America once again on September 9, 1908, arriving at the port of New York aboard the steamer S.S. Friedrich Der Gross. The passenger record states that he was a 26-year old married tailor who was born and last lived in Rafalovka. He had left behind his wife Ruchel Deckelbaum in Rafalovka. His destination in America was to his brother-in-law Sam "Vowick" at 415-17 Flushing Avenue in Brooklyn. He paid his own passage.
One year later, in August of 1909, Sam’s wife Rosa (#P37) arrived at the port of New York aboard the steamer Kroonland. She was 25 years old, and was born in Gualefky. The name of the nearest relative she left behind was her father S. Weisbrodl. Her destination in America is to her husband S. Dekelbaum at 16 E. Broadway in New York.
Perel (#P44) arrived at the port of New York on June 7, 1910 aboard the steamer S.S. Vaderland. She was 17 years old and single. Her last place of residence was in "Grafalevka" (Rafalovka), Russia - which was also her birthplace. The name of the closest relative she had left behind was her father Josef Dekelbaum in "Grafalevka." Her destination in America was to her brother-in-law S. Nowick at 415-17 Flushing Avenue in Brooklyn. Her brother-in-law paid her passage.
Finally, in 1913, the patriarch of this family arrived in America. Josel Deckelbaum (#P62) arrived at the port of Baltimore on November 22, 1913 aboard the steamer RHEIN. He was a 48 year-old married butcher. He was traveling with his wife Riwka, age 47, his daughter Jachna, age 17, and his son Jankel, age 11. His destination in America was to his son S. Deckelbaum at 104 S. Aunt Street in Baltimore. Josel was born and had his last place of residence in Rafalovka. He left behind his brother M. Deckelbaum in Rafalovka.
Joseph Deckelbaum (#P62)
According to the 1920 census, Joseph and his wife Rebecca were living at 1726 Sterling Place in
Brooklyn. The census states that in 1920 Joseph was 50 years old, and that he was living with
his wife Rebecca (age 56), daughter Jennie (age 21), and son Jacob (age 19).
The census record seems to conflict with Joseph’s death certificate, which states that he died on April 26, 1919. His death certificate also states that he was 48 years old when he died, that he was born in 1871, and that his occupation was as a peddler. When he died he was living at 1726 Sterling Place in Brooklyn. He was married, and had lived in America for 5 years, all in NYC. His father was Gedaliah Dekelbaum and his mother was Jachna Dekelbaum. Joseph was buried at Mount Zion Cemetery.
Sam Deckelbaum (#P11 & P33)
Sam’s naturalization papers provide a wealth of information. Sam filed his Declaration of
Intention (i.e. to become a citizen) on November 8, 1912. These papers state that Samuel Deckelbaum was 28 years old in 1912, and that he was born on
January 10, 1884 in Rafalovka. He was 5’11" tall, and weighed 145 pounds. He had a dark complexion, black hair,
and brown eyes. Sam’s Petition for Naturalization was filed May 28, 1919. This document states that Samuel was born
September 1, 1884 in Rafalovka. He was naturalized along with his wife Rosa (born October 25, 1884 in Rafalovka), and also
his children: Silvia (born September 5, 1910 in Newark, NJ), Isidor (born May 1912 in Baltimore), and Max (born June 18,
1918 in Baltimore.) Benjamin Horwitz was the witness to the petition. Sam was naturalized on December 16, 1919.
The 1920 Census shows Sam, age 38, living at 518 Caroline in Baltimore. He was living with his wife Rosa (age 34), daughter Silvia (age 9), son Isidore (age 7), and son Max (age 2.) The Baltimore City Directory offers the following trail of Sam’s residences:
From 1912 to 1913 Samuel was a tailor living at 1416 e Lombard
From 1914 to 1915 Samuel was a tailor living at 104 s Eden
From 1916 to 1919 Samuel was a clerk/grocer living at 913 Linden Avenue
From 1920 to 1925 Samuel was a clerk/grocer living at 518 s Caroline
From 1927 to 1928 Samuel was a grocer living at 821 n Bond
Ida Stayer was Sam’s second wife. Ida herself had been married before to Abraham Kolker - they had five children together: Celia, Mollie, Morris, Esther and Rachael Kolker. Ida died in 1943. Her will mentions another child -- Judith Deckelbaum, who I assume is the child of Sam and Ida’s marriage.
According to Sam’s death certificate, he died on June 7, 1932 at the age of 49, and was born October 14, 1883. His mother was Rebecca Weisblatt, and his father was Joseph Deckelbaum. He was married to Dea Deckelbaum. His daughter Sylvia Deckelbaum provided the information for the death certificate, and at that time Sylvia was living at 1326-4½ Street SW in DC. Sam was buried at National Capitol Hebrew Cemetery. Sam’s tombstone says "Shlomo Chaim ben Joseph a cohanim - died June 7, 1932, age 48".