Celia Neckameyer and George Walcoff

Marriage certificate for Celia Neckameyer and George Walcoff [NYC Department of Records]
Two years ago, I didn’t know the name of my mother’s paternal grandmother. When I began asking my parents about their family, I learned about Anna N. None of my close relatives could remember her maiden name, however. It wasn’t too long ago that I discovered I had Anna’s name in front of me for quite some time. It was listed on Seymour Berman’s certificate of death, a copy of which I had obtained from my mother. Seymour Berman was Anna’s son. I knew Anna had a sister Lena, so I was able to find census records that likely pertained to the Neckameyers in my family.

I answered many of these questions about the Neckameyers recently. Through Anna’s own marriage certificate, I was able to piece together a history that confirms that Anna and Lena have other siblings. One of these siblings is Celia Neckameyer, and the information I found points to her marrying a man named George Walcoff who lived nearby. I ordered their marriage certificate to confirm.

The facts on the certificate seem to support the conclusion that Celia is the sister of my great grandmother, Anna Neckameyer.

The addresses on the marriage certificate do not match any known residences for either Celia or George. The name listed under “signature of person performing the ceremony” is familiar, however. The same individual who performed the marriage ceremony for Celia and George on 5 April 1914 also performed the marriage ceremony for Anna and Samuel Berman on 22 March 1919, Elias Perlman.

On the certificate, George’s parents’ names are listed as Irving and Minnie Walcoff. Irving, for whatever reason, is an Americanized version of the name I discovered in census records for George’s father, Isaac. Celia’s parents’ names are listed as Wm Neckameyer and Rebecca Neckameyer. William seems to be an Americanization of Wolf, and his name is listed as Wolf in some records and as William in others.

The addition of George Walcoff into my family tree has opened up a new opportunity for cousins. George’s son Irwin would be my first cousin, twice removed. Irwin’s grandparents — Celia’s parents — are my second great grandparents.

While reviewing George’s information, I noticed I had indicated his birth location was Kovna, Russia — or Kaunas, Lithuania as it’s now known. A search of JewishGen’s Lithuania database did not provide any matching results for George or his father Isaac (or Irving). It’s possible the family’s surname was significantly different while they lived in Lithuania.


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6 responses to “Celia Neckameyer and George Walcoff”

  1. Shari Landes Avatar
    Shari Landes

    I remember that there was an Aunt ‘Ceil’ but I don’t remember the George.

  2. Nicole Zonin Avatar
    Nicole Zonin

    I am the great grand-daughter to Celia and George Walcoff. And Minni and Irving are also part of my family tree. Irwin Walcoff is my grandfather. My Aunt Myrna has been working on our family tree for years and would love to add you to it. I look forward to hearing from you.

    1. Harlan Landes Avatar
      Harlan Landes

      Hi Nicole. I sent you an email the other day. Thanks!

  3. William Walcoff Avatar
    William Walcoff

    Dear Harlan,
    My name is William Walcoff, the last surviving child of Celia NECKAMYER Walcoff and George Walcoff. I noticed your ancestry search on the internet and I can supply you with a lot of info on the Neckameyer family if you so desire. My aunt, Anna Berman was an interesting person as well as her three chidren. By the way, she did marry a man named Ben Rich late in her life and moved to Florida. Please call me at 727-953-7505 or send me your tel # to WWalcoff@tampabay.rr.com.and I’ll call you. Regards, Bill Walcoff

  4. William Walcoff Celia Walcoff's son Avatar
    William Walcoff Celia Walcoff’s son

    Dear Harlan,
    Please call me @ 727-953-7505

  5. Harlan Landes Avatar
    Harlan Landes

    William: Thanks for the note! I will give you a call this week.

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