An American Family History

Max (Michel) Levine was born in Vilna about 1890. His parents were Mendel and Riva Levine.

He immigrated to America in 1905 on the ship Finland from Antwerp, Belgium.

On March 19, 1916 a Max Levine married an Ida Shapiro in Manhattan.

Ida was born in 1892 and immigrated to the United States the same year.

Marion Edith Levine ( October 30, 1918),
Milton Levine (1921),
Marvin Levine (1924), and
Jerome Levine (1928).

Max and Ida became naturalized citizens on April 15, 1919. Manes and Bailey (Bella) Tuller witnessed their affidavit.

At the time of the 1920 census, they were living in Brooklyn District 6, Kings County, New York at 169 Mywtee?. The household consisted of Max age 30, Ida age 28, and "Mary Idith" one year and 3 months. Max was employed as a house painter.

At the time of the 1930 census they were living in Brooklyn District 82. The household consisted of Max age 38, Ida age 37, Marion age 11, Milton age 9, Marvin age 6, and Jerome age 2. Ray Nerid age 24, Ida's sister, was also living with them. Max was the proprietor of a candy store.

They lived at 73 5th Avenue in 1930 at the time Max died.

Max died on August 22, 1930 in Brooklyn, New York. He was painting a house at 233 Lafayette Avenue and fell from the scaffold and fractured his skull.

Photo and translation
courtesy of Jonathan Tuller

Michel the son of Mendel Lieb
Passed away on the 24th day of Av

He was buried at Mt. Lebanon cemetery near his mother. The date on the tombstone is off by four days. Most likely, the Gregorian date is correct, and the Hebrew is not. The burial society was Williamsburg Community.

In 1940, Ida and the children were still living in Brooklyn at 247a Throop Avenue. The household consisted of Ida age 46, Marion age 21, Milton age 19, Marvin age 16, and Jerome age 13. Marion was working at a bindry, Milton worked with instruments for a dentist. Ida had income from a union indemnity.