(Updated August, 2022 with names from the 1834 Volochisk revision list). When I first started researching my family history, I thought that my Schechowitz family who came from Volochisk, a town in the Russian Empire, (also often spelled Wolochisk, Woloczysk, Volochysk, or Voloczysk) was a dead end, because there were no Volochisk records available. The Jewishgen Ukraine SIG page was never updated, and had never had a project. There were, as far as I knew, no Volochisk records.
Then, that all changed. Alex Krakovsky, a Ukrainian researcher and genealogist, started scanning records in Ukraine and making them freely available online. Of course, they’re all in Russian, but suddenly, some Volochisk records were available, and I learned that there were many more still in the Zhitomir archives. You can check out Alex’s page of records here. Install the Google Translate toolbar and you can automatically translate the record names into English. This, of course, does not help read the records, which were hand-written in the 1800s and are difficult to read even for those fluent in Russian.
So, a few of us have started a Facebook group, Volochisk Descendants, where we are fundraising to pay for researchers and translators for Jewish Volochisk records. So far we’ve hired a researcher to go to the Zhitomir archives, where he photographed the 1850 Volochisk revision list, and he’s just finished translating the entire thing for us. The translation is available to contributors to the project.
Translation is laborious and expensive, and donations are appreciated, and all donations go entirely for paying the translator. If you’re able to donate to the project, you can make a donation via Paypal. I’ll send a copy of our most recent revision list translation (or one of your choice) for all donations of $50 or more. Contact me if you’d rather send a check or donate via Zelle or Transferwise.
Our most recent projects have been translations for the 144 pages of later additions to the 1850 revision list, which includes people who had been accidentally (or deliberately) left out of the 1850 list, and a 12 pages of names from a tax document from 1865, and the 1834 revision list. Our next project is an 1965 list of recruits from Volhynia.
Below are the surnames found on the 1811, 1834, and 1850 revision lists. Note that these have been translated phonetically, so if they don’t match the spelling you were expecting, don’t worry.
For more Volochisk records and information, see Volochisk Jewish Genealogy.
Volochisk 1811 revision list surnames
Apel’boem, Aptikar, Ayzamberk, Baida, Baidis, Balagula, Balka, Barinbaim, Bejzman, Bekar, Beker, Bekher, Bekman, Bengel’, Berlenshteyn, Berman, Bernfeld, Bernshteyn, Blid, Blitilman, Blitman, Blyublad, Blyum, Blyumshteyn, Bolkan, Bondar’, Boronshteyn, Boronsztejn, Bresler, Bril’, Broder, Broit, Brojnoberg, Broud, Broytman, Buber, Cholpas, Cwengil, Dajcz, Dank, Daych, Dekman, Dektyar, Doken, Dragon, Ekber, Ershfeld, Erszfeld, Ertrakht, Faershteyn, Fanshteyn, Fansztejn, Faybysh, Fayntiekh, Fejnsztejn, Feler, Fentel’, Fidel, Fidel’, Findel’, Finkel, Fisher, Flambrand, Fleishter, Fligil’, Flisher, Flokin?, Fraibom, Franshteyn, Fredentul, Fredman, Frizman, Fudym, Furger, Galbark, Galka, Galtsman, Garbar, Gel’man, Gelbark, Gelfman, Gelsher, Gerner, Gershgorn, Gershten, Gervets, Geyler, Gezner, Gilsker, Gilyar, Gitman, Glepbant, Gleyzor, Gluz, Gokhman, Goldbark, Goldman, Goldmant, Golumed, Grazerin, Grenglyus, Griman, Grimbirk, Grinblad, Grinszpun, Grosman, Groysar, Groysman, Grubard, Gun, Gurfain, Gurfan, Kagna, Karshengolts, Kastan, Kats, Kats?, Kershombild, Kestembejm, Khait, Khazan, Khibat?, Khinko, Kitan, Kleynman, Koremblid, Kornberk, Kornman, Kreynman, Krimband, Krinsadar, Krinsgadar, Krout, Kvetser, Label’, Landa, Landenboum, Landger, Lank, Layfor, Leiger, Lejbowicz, Lejkichmacher, Lenker, Lerner, Leybshteyn, Liftik, Likhmbiem, Likhtgalter, Limbym, Limonnik, Lizimbom, Lizunbaim, Lonk, Marguleuk, Margulkus, Mechnik, Miiman?, Muszlin, Novozhen, Nudel’, Payus, Perliman, Perlshteyn, Polyak, Preys, Provber, Raben, Rabin, Remfel, Rendbark, Reyfmakhir, Reyzefeld, Robin, Roitbark, Rones, Royter, Rozenboim, Rubin, Rutgayzer, Sagal, Sakhovich, Sapsa, Shenfeld, Sheydvaser, Sheyner, Sheynfeld, Shisel’, Shlekar, Shmakler, Shmerer, Shor, Shpalbart, Shpatserman, Shpegel’, Shpetserman, Shpigel’, Shpiler, Shpirt, Shpritser, Shtipel’, Shtolman, Shvarts, Sikner?, Simlek, Skala, Skalar, Sobel’ Blid, Soyakts, Spatserman, Stolyar, Sygal, Sygal’, Szychman, Teper?, Tislyar, Triiger, Tropber, Trovber, Troyger, Tsygal, Tsygal’, Tul’chinskiy , Tyutin, Vaindberg, Vaiser, Vaisshteyn, Vanshil’blit, Vayser, Vaysman, Vayzgaus, Veiger, Vekser, Verba, Vernboukh, Vertemdoz, Veyger, Veysman, Vibilman, Volfer, Vuchnshmider, Wajsgarbar, Yepel, Zaid, Zaks, Zalts, Zigel’man, Zilbarman, Zilberberk, Zilberman
Volochisk 1834 revision list surnames
Aibert, Aizenbarkh, Aizenberg, Almir, Ambinder, Aptekar, Arbus, Aulvat, Baida, Baidel, Balagur, Balagura, Baretboim, Baronshtein, Bas, Beker, Bekher, Bekman, Belorus, Ber, Berekhshtein, Berinshtain, Berman , Bermshtein, Bernelfeld, Bershtein, Betver, Bezman, Bigoshblit, Bilishtein, Bilivshteim, Bilivshtein, Binko, Blat, Blender, Blim, Blomat, Bondar, Boremboim, Bratman, Bresler, Bril, Broder, Broinshtein, Broit, Broninberg, Bryl, Buber, Bulkan, Daich, Daik, Dain, Dais, Darkhman, Dragel, Driker, Ekel, Ekhna, Ekker, Elbarkh, Elfer, Epel, Erdtrakh, Eroisar, Faktor, Fefel, Feirshtat, Feldman, Feler, Felman, Fenar, Fendel, Fesher, Fidel, Fikshbrand, Filger, Fineberg, Finebrandt, Fineshtein, Finkel, Finsher, Flaks, Fleisher, Fredintil, Frichman, Fudik, Furir, Furman, Galevich, Gamor, Gankar, Garts, Geiber , Geiler, Gelkhait, Gelman, Gershan, Gershfeld, Gertender, Gervits, Gerz, Gezmer, Gilkher, Gilsker, Giltsoker, Ginbar, Gitman, Gleiber, Gleizer, Glukhovoi, Gofman, Goidel, Goikhman, Golber, Goldenberg, Goldman, Golichmid, Golka, Golour, Golter, Gondel, Gonis, Gorbat, Gorbatyi, Gorman, Got, Graiger, Graiser, Grimart, Grimbard, Grinbart, Grindzhus, Grinshpun, Gris, Groiser, Groisman, Gruber, Grus, Guiv, Gur, Gurfeil, Gylbarkh, Imber, Kalik, Kalten, Kanser, Kaplan, Kashten, Katz, Katz (Baret Beil), Keis, Kelner, Kenis, Kershengold, Khabat, Khait, Khalko, Khape, Khazel, Khazen, Khromoi, Khuset, Kifel, Kimel, Kitai, Kivets, Kizmer, Kleiberkh, Kleizor, Knait, Knelef, Kogan, Konstantin, Korbyshfeld, Kornbarkh, Kornblit, Kornshal, Korshblit, Kotliar, Kravets, Kreizor, Kriks Abar, Kriks Gabar, Krimer, Kripel, Krivoi, Krutii, Kvas, Label, Lachta, Lada, Lamber, Langer, Lanker, Later, Lechter, Leibakh, Leifer, Leizor, Lenker, Lerner, Liftsik, Likher, Likhleviovich, Limonik, Linkher, Lisinkher, Litvak, Lizinber, Maister, Makher, Margulis, Meiler, Melachis, Melamet, Melamot, Meshat, Michnik, Mil, Milter, Mishiver, Mislovat, Misures, Morgush, Mushlin, Neishtat, Nekhamot, Nelman, Nezil, Novozhen, Nudel, Pagos, Pais, Pajus, Perlman, Perlshtein, Pilch, Pitsel, Plider, Poniak, Portnoi, Preiser, Proviant, Rabin, Raiefiel, Ravar, Reikhman, Roitbakh, Roitbart, Roizenboim, Roizentsveig, Rokhter, Ronis, Roshis, Rozenboim, Rudgeizer, Salfer, San, Sandler, Sarnar, Schinder, Sedel, Shakhovich, Shakhrai, Shats, Sheiner, Shenfeld, Shenper, Sherman, Shikhman, Shilman, Shimiden, Shind, Shinder, Shistel, Shister, Shkapirnish, Shkliar, Shliakhtich, Shmirer , Shmuger, Shmukler, Shmune, Shparts, Shpatsirman, Shpigel, Shpiler, Shpirt, Shpital, Shpritser, Shrage, Shtagel, Shtein, Shtekel, Shtekh, Shtigel, Shtivel, Shumer, Shvarts, Shvarz, Sigal, Skoler, Slepoi, Smukler, Smuriev, Sobil, Spektor, Stoliar, Svarts, Svinar, Sysla, Tafia, Teper, Teslia, Tesliar, Tetelboim , Tister, Tochil, Travberkh, Treiger, Trovberg, Tsegal, Tsigal, Tsirulnik, Tsorner, Tsvikel, Tsvingel, Tsviok, Tsybas, Tulchinskii, Tulcninskii, Tunit, Vainshelblat, Vaiser, Vaitsshan, Vakhsman, Vaksman, Vargat, Vashteilblits, Vatmakher, Veibilman, Veiger, Veiser, Veisshteil, Veitsman, Velerful, Virzgaizer, Voloshko, Voskoboinik, Zaid, Zaits, Zaks, Zalz, Zeldis, Zigelman, Zilberberg, Zilbermat, Zylber
Volochisk 1850 revision list surnames
Aizenberg, Aizinberg, Andert, Ashinberg, Baida, Baide, Balagura, Barenboim, Bas, Beker, Bekman, Ber, Berinfeld, Berinshtein, Berishfein, Berman, Beter, Bezman, Bialorus, Biiat, Bilivshtein, Binde, Blat, Blitman, Bondar, Braniberg, Bresler, Bril, Broder, Broit, Bronberg, Broneberg, Bronenberg, Broniberg, Bronshtein, Bryl, Bulkan, Dain, Dank, Dankh, Deich, Dirkhman, Droil, Ekel, Ekker, Elbar, Elbarkh, Elman, Epel, Fainberg, Fainshtein, Faktor, Felman, Fendel, Fidel, Fiershtein, Filer, Finkel, Fleiter, Fliambrandt, Fliashbrand, Fridentul, Fridshpun, Friman, Fudyk, Furir, Furman, Galovich, Galter, Gamer, Garz, Geiler, Gelband, Gelbeid, Gershfeld, Gerttrakh, Gervits, Gezner, Giliener, Gilsker, Gilskher, Gint, Gleiber, Gleizer, Gofman, Goidel, Goikhman, Golber, Goldberg, Goldenberg, Goldenberk, Goldman, Golka, Golshind, Golzmid, Gonik, Gorbatyi, Gorvets, Greiler, Greiser, Grimat, Grinbard, Grinbart, Grinberg, Grindshus, Groiser, Groisman, Gruber, Grus, Gun, Gur, Gurfein, Gurfeis, Imber, Kalik, Karenblit, Kashtan, Kats, Katz, Keinis, Kelner, Khabat, Khait, Khaitan, Khape, Khazen, Kheit, Khramoi, Khusit, Kitai, Kleiberg, Kleizer, Knelar, Konstantin, Korbeltsorend, Korenblit, Kotliar, Kramer, Kravets, Krepel, Krikhenber, Kriks Gaber, Krisher, Krivoi, Krutii, Kvas, Ladel, Langer, Later, Lebikh, Leibar, Leifer, Leikhar, Leikhter, Leinbinder, Lerner, Liftsyk, Linkher, Lisinkher, Litvak, Livakh, Lokkher, Maister, Margulis, Meis/Meil, Melamed, Milter, Mishures, Mitures, Muchnik, Mushlin, Myslovat, Myslover, Neilmat, Nezel, Nivoshen, Pajus, Perilshbrein, Pets, Pitsel, Plider, Poliak, Provikher, Raben, Rabin, Rainberg, Raizinboim, Ranes, Reizenboim, Roikhman, Roitbark, Roitbarkh, Roizenboim, Rones, Ronis, Sagal, Sandler, Sarner, Sedel, Shakhovich, Shakhrii, Sheiner, Shekhman, Shepis, Shiifeld, Shikter, Shilman, Shilovich, Shimmakh, Shister, Shkliar, Shliaftin, Shmuger, Shmukhler, Shmut, Shparts, Shpatsirman, Shpigel, Shpiler, Shpilman, Shpirt, Shpital, Shpitser, Shpritser, Shrai, Shtabel, Shtein, Shtivel, Shuster, Shvarts, Slepoi, Slepyi, Sobol, Solfer, Stoliar, Svinar, Sygal, Sysla, Tafia, Teper, Tesliar, Tetelboim, Total, Trovber, Tsaref, Tsegal, Tsigal, Tsvikel, Tsybikh, Tsygan, Tsymarnik, Tulchinekhii, Tulchinskii (Gleizer), Tunid, Vaiker, Vakhsman, Vaks, Vargat, Vaserfur, Vashtein, Vashteinblit, Veibilman, Veiger, Veitsman, Virtsgoiler, Voloshko, Voskoboinik, Zaiats, Zaid, Zaits, Zeldis, Zich, Zigelman, Ziks, Zilberman
For more on researching your Volochisk roots, see Volochisk Jewish Genealogy.