Stories from Russia Ukraine

These stories were written by Mitchell Nitikman, who was born in Tshon (Teofipol) in 1905 and resided there until 1921. He left Tshon when life became unbearable for the Jewish residents. At that time he and his siblings, David, Sonia, and Janet escaped to Poland and subsequently immigrated to Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. Although their grandfather and great grandfather had the surname 'Nitikman', their father, Azriel, was given the fictitious surname 'Ukrainik' to avoid conscription into the Russian Army. At the time of his birth, the firstborn son was excused from military service, but any subsequent sons were eligible to become cannon fodder.

By the time Mitchell and David were born, the risks had dropped enough that they both carried the same surname as their father. Upon reaching Canada, they both reverted to the 'Nitikman' surname. Mitchell wanted to honor his father's name, so he wrote under the name 'Ukrainik' and, prior to his death, had requested that 'Ukrainik' appear on his gravestone along with 'Nitikman.

Mitchell wrote many articles and editorials for the Israelite Press (Der Yiddish Vort), which was published in Winnipeg. In the 1940s he wrote a series of articles which were entitled Fuhn Mein Shtetl - Tshon. They were subsequently reprinted in the US in the Yiddish Forverts, which is archived in the Yale University Library as well as other archives throughout the country.

These stories dealt with his memories of life in Tshon during the early 1900s and represent a wonderful legacy for all to enjoy. Here, then, are his stories, which will continue until I run out of stories or translators, whichever comes first.

Words and pictures about my little town - Tshon

Copyright © 1996 by Jay Nitikman. All Rights Reserved. Permission granted only for personal, non-commercial, genealogical research. No other electronic transmission or storage allowed without written permission from genealogy@permeable.com.