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Research in Other Countries => Other Countries => Topic started by: LCohen on Wednesday 03 June 20 15:16 BST (UK)

Title: Fernando Cohen Born Circa 1857 Cuba
Post by: LCohen on Wednesday 03 June 20 15:16 BST (UK)
Hi

I’m trying to find out about my great-grandfather Fernando Cohen born 1857 Cuba, his father Reuben Zaleg Felipe (Philip) Cohen (1810-1881) born Swansea, Wales died in Jamaica. Fernando’s grandparents were Jacob and Catherine Cohen residents of Swansea, Wales both born 1773. Both probably are or have German ancestry.

Fernando Cohen’s known children (place of birth Jamaica though some may have been born in Cuba): Cecil Augustus Cohen, Theophilus Cohen, Ethlyn Maud Cohen, Alice Constance Cohen, Anita Cohen or Anitta Cohen, Beatrice Cohen, Alexandrina Cohen.

Cecil Augustus Cohen was my grandfather.

Apocrypha states Fernando Cohen had 32 children.

Fernando Cohen’s known siblings: Francisco Cohen died 1901 in Panama, Elvira Cohen, Jose Cohen, Florencio Cohen.

Fernando Cohen’s aunt Harriet Cohen (1801 - 1889) married David I Cohen of the finance and banking Cohens of Maryland, Baltimore on the 7th of July 1830 in Swansea, Wales. David I Cohen founded the Baltimore Stock Exchange. I’m working on a hunch that Harriet Cohen and David I Cohen may have been related I have found no evidence to support this though. 

Reuben Zaleg Felipe (Philip) Cohen immigrated to the US boarding the passenger ship Achilles on the 18th of July 1831 from Bristol, England to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA. Thereafter he can be found in Cuba and Jamaica. I have also found evidence that the Cohens were in Panama, both the Swansea and Baltimore branches.

Any help would be much appreciated.

Thanks

Leonard


Title: Re: Fernando Cohen Born Circa 1857 Cuba
Post by: Sam Swift on Tuesday 09 June 20 19:24 BST (UK)
Hi Leonard

Not sure if you have this information already, but I lost the Glamorgan post and did a search to find this post, which is probably the best place for rmy reply.

I found a reference to Fernando Cohen, in relation to the "Application to bring lands under registration of titles law 21 0f 1888".

It was a notice published so that people in adjoining lands could basically object if they felt they had claims to the land that was being registered.

The people submitting the registration on 14 Jun 1906 were:
Maria Antonia Vidal, Gentlewoman; Fernando Cohen, planter; Elvira Rodriguez (formerly Elvira Cohen) widow, respectively of Linstead, in the Praish of St Catherine, Jose Cohen of Colon, in the republic of Panama and Cecilia Heraux (formerly Cecilia Cohen) the wife of the Hon. Dr. Edmond Heraux of Port-au-Prince, in the republic of Hayti.

The land was described as:

"The five sevenths of all that parcel of land, part of Wakefield plantation, known as "Cambrian" situate in St.Thomas-in-the-vale district in the parish of St.Catherine, containing by survey, 421 1/4 acres, and butting and bounding as appear in the plan or diagram thereof dated the 4th of November 1905, and lodged with the application.

Ad was to be placed in the Daily Gleaner - one ad per week and 2 ads in the Jamaica Gazette, after whcih time unless objections were received, the "caveat may be entered" and bring the said lands under teh operation of the said law.

In the Kingston Gleaner 14 June 1906, p12
 
Title: Re: Fernando Cohen Born Circa 1857 Cuba
Post by: LCohen on Tuesday 09 June 20 19:51 BST (UK)
Thanks, Sam, we had some of the information but not as detailed a this I'm gonna call my cousin and let her know.
Title: Re: Fernando Cohen Born Circa 1857 Cuba
Post by: Sam Swift on Tuesday 09 June 20 19:56 BST (UK)
Deaths
Fransisco Cohen , brother of Fernando Cohen of Cambrian, Linstead. The sad event ocurred at Bobio, Colon, Colombia on the 9th last.
Cuban and Colombian Papers please copy.

In Kingston Gleaner 29 May 1901, p2, co.6
Title: Re: Fernando Cohen Born Circa 1857 Cuba
Post by: LCohen on Tuesday 09 June 20 20:02 BST (UK)
His cousin Margaret also died in Panama.

Title: Re: Fernando Cohen Born Circa 1857 Cuba
Post by: Sam Swift on Tuesday 09 June 20 20:09 BST (UK)
There is a difference in the name of the pserson reported to have died in Colon - on the last post I made, the May 29th report it said it was Fransisco who'd died, however in the Kingston Gleaner 30 May 1901, it says the person who died was Florencino brother of Fernando.
Title: Re: Fernando Cohen Born Circa 1857 Cuba
Post by: LCohen on Tuesday 09 June 20 20:20 BST (UK)
We had the deceased brother as Francisco Cohen, again this information is from The Daily Gleaner and  only a single short entrance. We're doing an extensive search within the Gleaners pages hopefully we can clear this up. Haven't found a connection between the deaths of Francisco Cohen and Margaret Cohen. Looks like they died a year apart in the same country I wonder if they had an estate out there?
Title: Re: Fernando Cohen Born Circa 1857 Cuba
Post by: Sam Swift on Tuesday 09 June 20 20:27 BST (UK)
You may also ghave this :
Kingston Daily Gleaner 20 May 1905
Fernando puts Cambrian up for sale, intending to "leave these lands" Desrciption of the land and property which it says also has a shop and water pipes for irrigation.
Title: Re: Fernando Cohen Born Circa 1857 Cuba
Post by: Sam Swift on Tuesday 09 June 20 20:32 BST (UK)
There's a piece about Margaret Cohen's will in which it describes the fact she leaves a portrait of her grandmother Catherine Cohen to her brother Mendes, money to grand nephew Alan Cohen son Alan M Cohen & money to several jewish causes & John Hopkins University.

Philadelphia Jewish Exponent 12 September 1902, p.11 
Title: Re: Fernando Cohen Born Circa 1857 Cuba
Post by: LCohen on Tuesday 09 June 20 20:40 BST (UK)
Okay, I'll check out Philadelphia Jewish Exponent. There's a portrait of Catherine Cohen? Wow, I've got to find it. Thanks very much.

...intending to "leave these lands"... That's interesting. I wonder where the hell he went? I know his nephew, José Cohen's son, Florencio Cohen was in the US via Ellis Island in the 1920s.
Title: Re: Fernando Cohen Born Circa 1857 Cuba
Post by: LCohen on Tuesday 09 June 20 20:45 BST (UK)
Florencio Cohen at Ellis Island.
Title: Re: Fernando Cohen Born Circa 1857 Cuba
Post by: Sam Swift on Tuesday 09 June 20 21:24 BST (UK)
Looking at the dates of the newspaper articles re selling up and regsitereing the land, Fernando seems to have planned to sell up,before the land was regsieterd. Did he own the land outright, or was it shared between him amd the siblings + / - others named in the advert regarding planned registration?

There seems to have been a lot of travelling around!
Title: Re: Fernando Cohen Born Circa 1857 Cuba
Post by: Sam Swift on Tuesday 09 June 20 21:42 BST (UK)

Kingston Daily Gleaner 03 May 1907 - Case over the sale of a property Dolphy vs Cohen
Title: Re: Fernando Cohen Born Circa 1857 Cuba
Post by: Sam Swift on Tuesday 09 June 20 21:56 BST (UK)
Continued Hearing of Action Over Plantation in Kingston Daily Gleaner 04 May 1907, p4, col 3 Adjourned
Title: Re: Fernando Cohen Born Circa 1857 Cuba
Post by: LCohen on Tuesday 09 June 20 22:08 BST (UK)
Cool, thanks, I've forwarded it to my cousin.
Title: Re: Fernando Cohen Born Circa 1857 Cuba
Post by: Sam Swift on Tuesday 09 June 20 22:19 BST (UK)
Kingston Daily Gleaner 01 June 1907, p9, col4 Judgement
He didn't own the property outright to sell
Title: Re: Fernando Cohen Born Circa 1857 Cuba
Post by: LCohen on Tuesday 09 June 20 22:21 BST (UK)
Oh okay, cool. I'll pass that on.
Title: Re: Fernando Cohen Born Circa 1857 Cuba
Post by: Sam Swift on Tuesday 09 June 20 22:33 BST (UK)
Kingston Gleaner 01 June 1907 clearer in this paper

This explains it - would be day one of the case Kingston Daily Gleaner 02 May 1907
Title: Re: Fernando Cohen Born Circa 1857 Cuba
Post by: LCohen on Tuesday 09 June 20 22:46 BST (UK)
Okay, cool, thanks, Sam.
Title: Re: Fernando Cohen Born Circa 1857 Cuba
Post by: LCohen on Wednesday 10 June 20 17:18 BST (UK)
Henry Barnet Cohen is my 3rd cousin once removed.
Title: Re: Fernando Cohen Born Circa 1857 Cuba
Post by: Sam Swift on Wednesday 10 June 20 19:59 BST (UK)

Hi Leonard thanks for posting that intersting newspaper article.
What went on there ??

the 25 year old Florencio married 16 year old Victoria Eugenia Monteza daughter of Patricio Monteza   and Francisca Ballestero on 16 Apr 1928 at the Roman CatholicChurch of Inmaculada Concepción de María, Colón, Colón, Colón, Panamá

https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:33SQ-GGBC-98W1?i=191&cc=1913397&personaUrl=%2Fark%3A%2F61903%2F1%3A1%3AWSDP-HB6Z

Victoria Eugenia's baptism

https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QL7K-6N88

Victoria Montija Ballestero baptised 10 Aug 1912 at Inmaculada Concepción de María, Colón, Colón, Colón, Panamá. Father's Patricio Montija Mother's Francisca Ballestero

Haven't found any children or deaths yet though in this or any other parish in Panama.



Title: Re: Fernando Cohen Born Circa 1857 Cuba
Post by: LCohen on Wednesday 10 June 20 20:22 BST (UK)
Cool, thanks, a lot Sam. I've just updated Family Search, the bits that I've been curating, with the names of Florencio's wife and parents-in-law. Thanks, again.
Title: Re: Fernando Cohen Born Circa 1857 Cuba
Post by: LCohen on Wednesday 10 June 20 20:26 BST (UK)
Article on Henry Barnet Cohen with photo. Evening public ledger. [volume], March 30, 1915, Night Extra, Image 1

https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn83045211/1915-03-30/ed-1/seq-1/
Title: Re: Fernando Cohen Born Circa 1857 Cuba
Post by: Erato on Wednesday 10 June 20 20:32 BST (UK)
Sorry to go off topic here, but do you know of any sources for births in Cuba?  I am looking for Angelina Ross born in March 1871 in Cuba.
Title: Re: Fernando Cohen Born Circa 1857 Cuba
Post by: LCohen on Wednesday 10 June 20 20:36 BST (UK)
I've forwarded your questions to my cousin who's been digging around Cuba, thanks Leonard.
Title: Re: Fernando Cohen Born Circa 1857 Cuba
Post by: Sam Swift on Friday 19 June 20 10:52 BST (UK)
Found some entries below that give a timeline of the Cohens at Cambrian, including a murder / death. 

Kingston Gleaner 01 September 1876 p,2, co.2 Reuben Cohen witness in murder case on Cambria Plantation


The Murder case – man killed on Reuben Cohen’s property Kingston Gleaner 01 September 1876, col 2 
Plantation referred to as Cambry, Reuben’s son – Lorentio (Florencio) only speaks Spanish and gives evidence via translator.


1883
Notice denying rumour that Cambrian plantation heavily mortgaged to the Hon. George Solomon  Under Sale of Cambrian Plantation Notice Kingston Daily Gleaner 03 July 1883, p.2, col 2, para 9

May 1886  -    J Cohen Cambrian Plantation  listed as a cocoa grower Kingston Daily Gleaner 10 May 1886, p3, col.1 (under cocoa) see exhibitor 279 – must have been exhibiting at at teh Colonial and Indian Exhibiton
Kingston Daily Gleaner 10 May 1886, p.3, col.1 (see 279)  see also page 2


1898-1899 Bananas & COCOA being grown F Cohen Cambrians (Directory Entry) http://www.jamaicanfamilysearch.com/Samples/handbk2.htm
 
1905 The previous for sale auction ads previously listed

1906 & 1907  Dolphy was in posession between 23 May 1905-17 Jun 1906 when it was discovered that the plantation was ownly part owned.  The sale contract was recinded according to the court case in May – Jun 1907

?? sold sometime between Jun 1907 - July 1909 ??

July 23 1909 - in Kingston Daily Gleaner 23 July 1909 p.3, col. 2 (bottom) Joseph Brown charged with larceny growing coffee suckers the property of Mr F Delisser of Cambrians   

1910 Jamaica Directory shows owners of plantations Cambria owned by :
owner - Delisser F.   property name - Cambria   description of crop - Banana   occupier - Delisser F.  post office - Linstead
http://www.jamaicanfamilysearch.com/Members/1/1910d23.htm


1911 Cambrian for sale – no owners named in Kingston Gleaner 6 Sep 1911, p.11
Auction Sale at Cambrian plantation in Kingston Gleaner 26 June 1905, p4, Col 4 (under Auction sale under large ad ) – selling cattles, horses etc


1923 Cambrian for sale again lists prices of various properties within holding in Kingston Gleaner 27 January 1923, p16, col 2

Kingston Gleaner 07 October2017, p. 32, col.5  item 601 – Legal Notice relating to Title deeds of Cambrian. Owned by Roman Catholic Bishop of Jamaica


So looking at the timeline of the above events, the and sale of Cambria must have ocurred between 1906-1909.


Only found a Fanando Allando death aged 94 in Jamaica in 1958. I don't think it's your Fernando though.
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-894D-ZF4X?i=629&cc=1538386&personaUrl=%2Fark%3A%2F61903%2F1%3A1%3AQVST-DD6D 

This Fernando Allando Cohen was a planter, says his father was Robert Cohen. His wife was an Elizabeth who died aged 100 and their daughter Lydia Cohen who married a Thompson). ihttps://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:33SQ-GBXS-S8F?i=1906&cc=1538386

Sam
Title: Re: Fernando Cohen Born Circa 1857 Cuba
Post by: Sam Swift on Friday 19 June 20 11:30 BST (UK)
Erato have you tried

http://cubacityhall.com/   although It seems very expensive and complicated to get birth certificates otherwise form Cuba as far as I can see,

https://cubangenclub.org/cpage.php?pt=143 Has some pages have a searchable pdf and other digitised books that you would have to manually search through spanish records in various parishes. Alternatively there is a ontact address on the page that you could email for advice.

There are also digitised parish registers that you could laboriously search through as above https://essss.library.vanderbilt.edu/islandora/object/essss%3A210

Assume you have already looked at
https://www.familysearch.org/search/collection/location/1927079?region=Cuba

Hope this helps

Title: Re: Fernando Cohen Born Circa 1857 Cuba
Post by: Sam Swift on Friday 19 June 20 14:37 BST (UK)
The Cecilia Heraux (nee Cohen) mentioned in the newspaper in relation to the title deed of Cambrian was the daughter of Fransisco Cohen. She married Edmond Heraux in jamaica 7 Dec 1887 and her address was then Barry street 115.
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:33S7-95JB-9S7N?i=260&cc=1538386&personaUrl=%2Fark%3A%2F61903%2F1%3A1%3AKP17-YNK

She died in Port aux Prince  Haiti in 1943 https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QP8X-7HPJ

Looks like they had a son Edmond https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:73FD-RN6Z

They had a daughter born at Cambrian 01 Aug 1894 https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:9Q97-YS89-MCH7?i=1308&cc=1538386&personaUrl=%2Fark%3A%2F61903%2F1%3A1%3AXN97-LJM

Here they are at Ellis Island and entry says Cecilia was Cuban age 49 (born 1866) https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-C9TX-BGBF?i=216&cc=1368704&personaUrl=%2Fark%3A%2F61903%2F1%3A1%3AJJWP-T43

Title: Re: Fernando Cohen Born Circa 1857 Cuba
Post by: LCohen on Friday 19 June 20 15:53 BST (UK)
Thanks very much, Sam. This is a lot of new information.
Title: Re: Fernando Cohen Born Circa 1857 Cuba
Post by: Erato on Friday 19 June 20 17:47 BST (UK)
Thanks for the links, Sam.  I'm picking through them but I'll be damned if I can figure out how to get into the Camagüey church records they claim to have
Title: Re: Fernando Cohen Born Circa 1857 Cuba
Post by: Sam Swift on Friday 19 June 20 20:34 BST (UK)
Hi Erato

If you go to https://cubangenclub.org/cpage.php?pt=145

then on the left margin of the page under Carmaguay you'll see Chucrh Records Carmaguay 1 and Carmaguay 2.

Actually I've just done that and the links (in red) are for actual certificates of those named, of which there are none for Ross. They have only acquired the ones they have online, so there are others.   
Title: Re: Fernando Cohen Born Circa 1857 Cuba
Post by: Sam Swift on Friday 19 June 20 20:52 BST (UK)
Hi Erato

I'm leafing through one of the digitized books (its in Spanish) and in it is says that civil registration started on the 1st January 1885, so that prior to that all births would have been recorded in the books kept by the curates in each parish.
Title: Re: Fernando Cohen Born Circa 1857 Cuba
Post by: Erato on Friday 19 June 20 21:19 BST (UK)
Thanks, Sam.
Title: Re: Fernando Cohen Born Circa 1857 Cuba
Post by: LCohen on Friday 19 June 20 22:20 BST (UK)
Thanks, Sam, Erato. Nice to meet you Erato.
Title: Re: Fernando Cohen Born Circa 1857 Cuba
Post by: Sam Swift on Sunday 21 June 20 13:59 BST (UK)
Leonard

Since I can understand Spanish, I read through the Spanish baptism description for Florencio born to Jose Cohen and Emilia Nunez. While the baptism date has been transcribed in English, his date of birth and other info has not. In the Spanish text, it says he was born on 10th April 1902 and that he had 3 godparents - Dario and Ines Melendez and what looks like Fabio Urriola (who was added after the declaration of the above 2 people as god parents).
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:33S7-9GBC-94QQ?i=405&cc=1913397

This is Florencio working in the Panama Canal Zone- same date of birth but with incorrectly spelled surname Indexed entry - https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QVBD-HTZ8

His photo ID https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-99XZ-DRZV?i=432&cc=2193241&personaUrl=%2Fark%3A%2F61903%2F1%3A1%3AQVBD-HTZ8

His fingerprints! https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-89XZ-DRVS?i=433&cc=2193241

The place of engagement (Cristobal Panama) and same occupation - Coal passer matches the Florencio above https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-C95R-4S3V?i=1117&cc=1368704&personaUrl=%2Fark%3A%2F61903%2F1%3A1%3AJ6VH-5MP

And we already know he then married Victoria Eugenia Monteza in 1928 (also known by her baptism name see post from June 10th)
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:33SQ-GGBC-98W1?i=191&cc=1913397

Title: Re: Fernando Cohen Born Circa 1857 Cuba
Post by: LCohen on Sunday 21 June 20 16:29 BST (UK)
That's great Sam, so much new information and it's great to see a picture. Thank you.
Title: Re: Fernando Cohen Born Circa 1857 Cuba
Post by: LCohen on Thursday 25 June 20 18:02 BST (UK)
José Cohen Florencio Cohen's father and Fernando Cohen's brother.

https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:JJCQ-M27
Title: Re: Fernando Cohen Born Circa 1857 Cuba
Post by: LCohen on Thursday 25 June 20 18:18 BST (UK)
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QGTL-WW1T

Maud Cohen Willians son of José Cohen and Isabel Willians
Title: Re: Fernando Cohen Born Circa 1857 Cuba
Post by: Sam Swift on Thursday 25 June 20 18:35 BST (UK)
José Cohen Florencio Cohen's father and Fernando Cohen's brother.

https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:JJCQ-M27

Hi Leonard

I saw this, but discounted it because if he was Fernando and Florencio's brother i.e son of Felipe (Phillip) Cohen, then he is too young, because Felipe died in 1881 and this Jose was 24 in 1917, so would have been born in 1893. There was an influx of Jewish immigrants from Europe etc; around this time, which records class as Hebrews. It says his nationality was Turkey (although cold be incorrect) and last residence was on Cuba and that he was a clerk (whereas he'd been a planter). So I don't think this is him.
Title: Re: Fernando Cohen Born Circa 1857 Cuba
Post by: Sam Swift on Thursday 25 June 20 18:38 BST (UK)
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QGTL-WW1T

Maud Cohen Williams son of José Cohen and Isabel Williams

Parts of the text in the register have not been transcribed. The register states that Jose Cohen's father is a William Cohen.
Title: Re: Fernando Cohen Born Circa 1857 Cuba
Post by: LCohen on Thursday 25 June 20 18:39 BST (UK)
Oh, okay, thanks for clearing that up.
Title: Re: Fernando Cohen Born Circa 1857 Cuba
Post by: Sam Swift on Thursday 25 June 20 18:51 BST (UK)
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:JJCQ-M27 if you go to the next page (578) line 11,
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-C9TF-YQRY-S?i=577&cc=1368704
the entry for Jose Cohen continues and it says he was born in Jerusalem and give his brother in law's name as Luis Misdragi, living in NY.
Title: Re: Fernando Cohen Born Circa 1857 Cuba
Post by: LCohen on Thursday 25 June 20 18:53 BST (UK)
Thanks, Sam. Really appreciate it.
Title: Re: Fernando Cohen Born Circa 1857 Cuba
Post by: Sam Swift on Thursday 25 June 20 19:00 BST (UK)
Leonard I can't remember if you said you were getting hold of Felipe Cohen's will. His name is on the list of will available see

http://www.jamaicanfamilysearch.com/Members/w/wlis1a-k.htm

Cohen, Reuben Zaleg Felipe, formerly of Cuba but now of St. Catherine, planter, died 7/29/1881. Probate recorded 1882. It 5 #10

At the bottom of the page it says These Wills are in the Island Records Office in Twickenham Park, Jamaica. The text of these wills may also be found on LDS microfilm #1937926

LDS centre cloosed here.
Title: Re: Fernando Cohen Born Circa 1857 Cuba
Post by: LCohen on Thursday 25 June 20 19:37 BST (UK)
Yes, I seen this and we've ordered a copy. Thanks
Title: Re: Fernando Cohen Born Circa 1857 Cuba
Post by: Troache on Sunday 24 January 21 02:12 GMT (UK)
My grandmothers mother was Etheline Maude Cohen and her grandfather was Fernando Cohen. My grandmother is 92 years old and is alive today. She said her grandfather had many children in Jamaica.