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Smith-Kupersmith Family Papers

 Collection
Identifier: JHCP-061

Scope and Content Note

This collection consists primarily of scrapbooks containing photographs of Stanley S. Kupersmith’s time in the United States Army in Company I, 181st Infantry as well as pre- and post-war photographs. The photographs include images of army life during World War II, summer camp in the 1920's in New Hampshire, and the American occupation of Germany. Also in this collection are family photos, a letter on War Department letterhead awarding Kupersmith a bronze star, and material related to English High School class of 1927 reunion. This collection would be of interest to researchers interested in army life during World War II and in the 1920’s Jewish summer camp experience.

Dates

  • undated, 1922-1972, 2024

Creator

Language

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

Myer Smith was the eldest of five brothers with the youngest being Stanley Kupersmith. In the process of Americanization, two of the brothers took the name Smith and the other three became Kupersmith’s. Myer Smith wed Mary Smith and the couple had two children, Evelyn Smith and Louis Smith. Mary Smith’s parents were Rebecca Sandler and Sam Yaronsky. In 1949 Evelyn Smith married Edward Levine after his World War II service in the Coast Guard. They had two children in 1954 and 1958, Linda Levine Keegan and Jeffery Levine. Edward Levine had a half-brother Barney Levine, an older brother Carl Levine, and a sister Beatrice Levine who married Julius Lazin. Beatrice and Julius Lazin had two children, Rona and Melvin Levine.

Stanley S. Kupersmith, whose photographs in scrapbooks make up most of this collection, was born in 1910 in the Russian Empire. Kupersmith graduated in 1927 from English High School in Boston, Massachusetts.

In 1941 he joined the United States army as a private in the 181st Infantry Company I. Kupersmith was later promoted to private first class, and then to corporal. After taking part in army maneuvers in the Carolinas he served in Europe, leaving the army with a bronze star and a honorable discharge.

After the war he worked in various clerking and office jobs. Stanley Kupersmith died in 1990.

References

Chronology

1910
Stanley Kupersmith is born
1927
Stanley Kupersmith graduates from English High School
1941
Stanley Kupersmith enlists in the United States army
1941
Stanley Kupersmith is made a private, first class
1941
Stanley Kupersmith is made a corporal
1941
Stanley Kupersmith participates in military maneuvers in the Carolinas
1945
Stanley Kupersmith is honorably discharged from the army
1990
Stanley Kupersmith dies

Extent

0.75 linear feet

Abstract

Stanley S. Kupersmith served in the United States Army between 1941 and 1945. This collection contains his photographs from the 1920s, during his military service, and during the post-war period in labeled scrapbooks, as well as other family photos.

Arrangement

The collection is arranged in loose chronological order.

Physical Location

Located in Boston, Mass.

Acquisition Information

Donated by Linda Levine Keegan in 2025.

Physical Description

This collection is in English.

Processing Information

This collection was processed by being placed in archival folders in an archival box. It was processed by Reuben Glassenberg in May 2025.

Title
Smith-Kupersmith Family Papers
Status
Completed
Author
Reuben Glassenberg
Date
2025
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin

Repository Details

Part of the Wyner Family Jewish Heritage Center at American Ancestors Repository

Contact:
99-101 Newbury Street
Boston MA 02116 United States
617-226-1245