Family of Abraham and Mary Epstein, Inc. Records

Collection

Identifier: I-335

Staff Only

Scope and Content Note

This collection contains meeting minutes, newsletters, articles of incorporation, bylaws, and family trees related to the descendents of Abraham and Mary Epstein and their organization, Family of Abraham and Mary Epstein, Inc.

Dates

undated, 1946-1990

Creator

Family of Abraham and Mary Epstein, Inc. (Organization)
Mary Epstein Family Associates, Inc. (Organization)

Language of Materials

This collection is in English.

Conditions Governing Access

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.

Conditions Governing Use

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

Biographical Note

Abraham Epstein, born in 1859, and Mary Hochstein, born in 1861, both in Slutsk, Russia (present-day Belarus) married in 1871. Together they had seven children:

Annie (1879-1922), who married Abraham Greenberg (1877-1949), with whom she had six or seven children
Minnie (1882-1961), who married Harris Ellis (1875-1962), with whom she had four children
Sarah (1884-1967), who married Ben Albert (1884-1967), with whom she had eight children
Celia (1887-1946), who married Samuel Abbott (1882-1960)
Frances (1890-1976), who married Philip Belmarsh (1892-1945), with whom she had two children
Harry (1891-1968), who married Annie Gordon (1889-1963), with whom he had eight children
Ethel (1895-1973), who married Philip Maysles (1891-1945), with whom she had three children

In 1895, Abraham, along with his daughter Minnie, immigrated to the United States. Coming through Ellis Island, they made their way to Boston to stay with relatives. Abraham operated a butcher shop, while Minnie worked in a factory. Eventually, circa 1899-1910, Mary and the rest of the children arrived in Boston. Abraham died in 1915, while Mary died in 1937.

Historical Note

The Mary Epstein Family Associates, Inc. was formed on October 7, 1946 at the home of Harry and Annie Epstein in Brookline, Massachusetts as an organization for the descendents of Yale Epstein. The original goals of the organization were “to unite fraternally for the mutual benefit, protection, improvement and association of its members in commemoration of their common ancestor Yale Epstein; to foster and cultivate the social, education, religious, and business relationship of its members, and encourage their families closer personal acquaintance and friendly spirit of mutual cooperation, and for their cultural advancement; [and] to promote and encourage social, literary, benevolent, musical and patriotic activities among its members to advance American ideals and good citizenship in the families of its members.” The organization later changed its name to the Family of Abraham and Mary Epstein, Inc. They published newsletters (first called MEFA, then, upon the name change, to FAME), hosted cultural programs, held regular meetings, and held family gatherings.