Betty Collins (Cohen) Gauvin Rosenberg

Material Format: sound recording; textual record; textual record (electronic)

Physical Description: 1 audio disc (23 min.) : vinyl; 1 file of textual records (some electronic)

Scope and Content: Accession consists of a vinyl recording of the Toronto Jewish Folk Choir (1950s) and the marriage certificate of Betty Collins Gauvin and Cyrel Rosenberg officiated by Rabbi David Monson (30 Dec.1957). In addition, there is a digitized copy of Betty Cohen's birth certificate, Whitechapel, England (4 Dec.1930) and a digitized copy of the marriage certificate of Betty (Elizabeth Margaret) Collins and Joseph Leon Jean Jacques Gauvin, officiated by Rev. Frank W. Stone, Roman Catholic Church (16 Oct. 1943).

Custodial History: The items donated were in posession of Betty Rosenberg's daughter Anne Kurita.

Administrative History: Betty Cohen was born in Whitechapel District, East end of London, England on December 30, 1930. She was married twice, first on October 16, 1943 to Joseph Gauvin and agian on December 30, 1957 to Cyrel Rosenberg.; Prior to immigration to Canda around 1937, Betty's mother, Bessie, sang vaudeville songs for shillings in London's local pubs. Her father, Sidney "Sid" Cohen, made a living doing odd jobs. According to family history, rising debt due to Sid's gambling habits prompted Sid Cohen to pack up his family and immigrate to Canada.; First settling in Vancouver, the Cohen family soon moved to Toronto. While searching for work, Sid Cohen experienced firsthand the open practice of racial discrimination in employment practices. This expereince led to the change in the family's surname. As described by his granddaughter Anne Kurita, "as he crossed the road from Simpson's to Eaton's, he changed the family name from "Cohen" to "Collins" and got a job as a traveling salesman."; Betty's education soon ended and she began working to help support the family and soon married Gauvin.; The Gauvin family, included their daughter Anne-Marie Gauvin (b. 1945), and [Johnny Rosenberg?]; While living on Barton Street, Betty became an active member of the United Jewish People's Order (UJPO) and a devoted member of the Toronto Jewish Folk Choir.; Betty Rosenberg died in 1991.

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.