The Bloom and Weichselbaum Families

Michal/Samuel Bloom and his wife Malka/Molly Weichselbaum lived in Żołynia, a shtetl in the Austro-Hungarian Empire. As such they were known as Galitzianers. In 1881 David was born and in 1884 Hersh/Harry arrived. A year later David died of unknown causes and Chaskel/Oscar was born. In 1886 Michal/Samuel took off for the United States. A year later Molly took Harry and Oscar to meet Samuel in New York City.

In 1889 my grandfather Charles was born, followed by Sarah in 1891 and Louis in 1895. Molly had given birth to six children over 14 years.

Samuel Bloom

Samuel Bloom

Molly Weichselbaum Bloom

Molly Weichselbaum Bloom

In September 1917 22 year old Louis was drafted into the Army to fight in WWI. In April he was shipped to serve in France. On November 11, 1918 he was one of the last people killed in the war.

Louis Bloom

Louis Bloom

Barre Daily Times 10 Dec 1918

Barre Daily Times 10 Dec 1918

Washington Cemetery, Brooklyn, NY

Washington Cemetery, Brooklyn, NY

Letters from Louis Bloom to the family while he was in service

View photographs and read the story of a trip to Jarosław and Żołynia, Poland, home of the Blooms and Weichselbaums.

Read “The Fabrics of Bloomcraft” by Sarah E. Shears about the company started by Charles Bloom.

Photographs & documents about the Blooms - click on the image to see a larger version.