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Family photographs
- Level
- Series
- ID
- Fonds 33; Series 1
- Source
- Archival Descriptions
- Level
- Series
- Fonds
- 33
- Series
- 1
- Material Format
- graphic material
- Date
- [ca. 1913]-1976
- Physical Description
- 84 photographs : b&w and col. (55 negatives) ; 21 x 26 cm or smaller
- Admin History/Bio
- Bill Stern's father, Moishe (Morris) Shternshis (ca. 1893-1976), was born in Lagov, Poland, the son of Lebil and Rachel (Shedlovsky) Shternshis. He came to Canada in 1911, and upon his arrival, changed his surname to Stern. Bill Stern's mother, Fanny Rumianek (ca. 1896-1991), was born in Chmielnik, Poland, the daughter of Moishe Hamelech and Golda (Zimmerman) Rumianek. The family arrived in Canada in 1913. Moishe and Fanny met a few years later, and were married at the Ostrovtzer Synagogue on Cecil Street on 16 December, 1916. The couple moved to Hamilton in 1917, but later returned to Toronto.
- For over forty years, Moishe worked as a milkman. Beginning in 1921, he was the first Jewish independent milkman in Toronto. It was a profitable and successful venture for the Stern family, and as a result, Moishe founded a co-operative in 1944, with six other milkmen. Named the Alliance Dairy, the business was eventually bought by Borden's Creamery in 1966, and Moishe retired as a result. Fanny volunteered much of her time to organizations such as the Jewish Old Folks Home and Sunnybrook Hospital.
- The first child born to Moishe and Fanny was Max Stern (1918-1997), who eventually joined the army, married Ruth Soles, and had two daughters, Bonnie and Janie. Today, Bonnie is a well-known Canadian cook-book author. Bill was the second child, born in 1921.
- In 1923, Moishe brought his younger brother, Sam Stern (1912-1939), to Canada from Lagov, Poland. Although actually his uncle, Bill was raised knowing Sam as his brother. In 1933, Sam travelled to Palestine and founded the Ginosar Kibbutz, near Tibireus. He was killed six years later while on guard duty.
- Scope and Content
- This series consists of photographs documenting the Stern and Rumianek families. They include individual and group portraits, as well as snapshots of family events and gatherings.
- The photographs have been arranged chronologically and have been described at the item level.
- Accession Number
- 1980-2-1
- 1981-9-4
- 1986-1-8
- 1991-5-5
- 1991-5-6
- 2004-5-96
- 2004-5-135
- 2006-2-8
- Source
- Archival Descriptions