Student Profile: M. Znamirowska

We searched M. Znamirowska and checked the "sounds like" box and we discovered Miriam Znamirowski.  It is the only girl within the dates applicable for attending a gymnasium for girls.  It also says she is a student.

Further Information Provided:

Ghetto Address:		KALISCH
Ghetto Address:		PFEFFER 4 26
Occupation:		Schneiderin

Thanks for taking on the often tricky task of finding the identity of someone who didn't sign a first name, just a first initial. I agree with you that Miriam Znamirowski is the most likely candidate in the database for being "M. Znamirowska." Her age, as you noted, is also within the likely range for a Gymnasium student; in 1941, Miriam would have been 13 or 14 years old.

One of the reasons for the last name disparity is that, in Polish, last names often take different forms depending on the person's gender. Last names that end in "ski" or "cki," for instance, will often be changed to "ska" or "cka" for a woman. The record from which her entry in the database was developed might have been entered incorrectly, or the official taking the record might not have known about the naming convention. Maria might have signed the album "Znamirowska," but someone else taking down her information might have entered the male or gender-neutral "Znamirowski."

Something else that is curious is that Maria is listed as a "Schneiderin," a tailor, rather than a student. This might reflect a later occupation in the ghetto, after the closure of the schools, but most students are listed as "Student" or "Schueler." What do you think?

I'm going to mark your research as "confirmed," since I think we've found M. Znamirowska. Looking forward to seeing what you find in the next stages!

I may have found Mirim's brother, uncle, or other male relative. Dawid Znamirwoski is a match for last name and address, and his year of birth, 1917, would have made him twenty-four years old in 1941 when Miriam signed Rumkowski's book.

I feel that I have found Miriam's father. I searched the database using the last name Znamirowski and found a man, ABRAM SZLAMA ZNAMIROWSKI, who is a match to Miriam in address. He was born in 1892, moreover, which would have made him thirty-five years old in the year of Miriam's birth.

Finally, I think that I may have found Miriam's mother. EWA ZNAMIROWSKI's address matches Miriam's. She was born in 1891, making her thirty-six years old at the time of Miriam's birth.

I agree with you on all counts! The fact that all three had the same last name and lived at the same address makes it highly likely that they were, first off, related, and second, shared the relationships you suggest.

Interestingly, we know Ewa's maiden name (Baumgarten), and if we wanted to do so could probably speculate about some maternal cousins. Keep an eye on Baumgarten as you research Miriam in later stages, just in case the name comes up again.

See you in stage 3!