Natanson family

Scope and Content: Accession consists of scanned photographs and textual records that document the professional activities of members of the Natanson family and their family life. Photographs include images of the family's pickle business (ca. 1910) and store Moffat's North York Bargain House (ca. 1955), portraits of Nathan Natanson with his violin (ca. 1925) and Albert Natanson in his tap dancing outfit (ca. 1925), as well as images of Ida Natanson as a nurse (1938) and childhood photographs of Lazar and Bob. Textual records include a brochure for Nathan's dancing school and a notice announcing the employment of Albert at Helwig & Leitch, Inc.

Administrative History: Originally from Romania, Benjamin and Rose (nee Gratz) Natanson immigrated to Ottawa in 1902 and eventually settled in Toronto in 1905. Benjamin owned a pickle company at 3242 Dundas Street West which he operated until it was destroyed in a fire on August 13, 1930.; Benjamin and Rose had six children together: Albert (b. 1900), Freida (b. 1902), Celia (b. 1905), Nathan (b. 1909), Ida (b. 1916) and Lazar (b. 1918). Three of their children were involved in the arts; Celia and Nathan were both musicians and Albert was a tap dancer. At 15 years of age, Nathan won a scholarship at the Institute of Musical Art (now known as the Julliard School) and moved to New York with Celia and Freida. As a child, Albert was a tapdancer in Showboat on Broadway and later operated his own dancing school in Montreal; Nat Anson's Dancing School.; Ida became one of the first Jewish nurses in Ontario. She moved to Saskatchewan after marrying Doctor Nathan Jacks. Lazar married Muriel Weinstein (b. 1923) in 1951 and they opened a store, Moffat's North York Bargain House, at 1291 Wilson Avenue that same year. They were likely one of the first Jewish families to move to the Downsview area. Lazar and Muriel had two children: Eileen and Bob.

Use Conditions: Copyright may not be held by the Ontario Jewish Archives. It is the responsibility of the researcher to obtain permission prior to use.