Napadensky Family becomes Nappen Family

Last week, I wrote about the early married life of Hannah (Segal) Napadensky. Originally, I knew the surname as Nappen, so it was interesting to work backwards and find that the name was originally Napadensky.

By 1920, the family had "Americanized" their last name to Nappen and they had moved to Philadelphia. The children of Barnett and Anna Nappen in the 1920 US Census household are listed as Edward (age 24), Abraham (age 17), Agusta (age 12), and Zelda (age 8).

1920 U.S. Census, Philadelphia Ward 24, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania; Roll: T625_1627; Page 10A;
Lines 33-38; Record for family of Barnett Nappen.

The year of immigration for Barnett and Anna is now listed for both of them as 1882. According to this census record, he became a naturalized citizen in 1897 and she in 1892. Here, Barnett's occupation is listed as Retail Cigar Store. The three youngest children are listed as attending school, though Abraham was also listed with an occupation of apprentice in a machine shop. Edward's occupation is salesman for wholesale confectionary.

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In 1930, Barnett and Anna were still living in Philadelphia with children Albert, Augusta, and Zelda, and Barnett has returned to the tailoring business where he is a Presser.

1930 U.S. Census, Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania; Roll: 2108; Page: 11A;
Lines 26-30; Record for family of Barnett Nappen.

Barnett Nappen, Head of Household, owns his home, valued at $8,000 in 1930 and the household owns a radio. Barnett is 59 (born 1871) and Anna is 55 (born in 1875). According to this census, they got married when he was 23 and she was 19 (about 1894, which I think is pretty accurate).

In the 1930 census, Barnett is listed as having immigrated in 1890 and Anna in 1894. Beware the varying dates of immigration and naturalization in the census records - they are only a general guide to finding the actual immigration and / or naturalization record. See the passenger record for Anna (as Hinde) when she immigrated in 1891. I have not yet found a record for the immigration of Barnett.

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In the 1940 census, I find Anna Nappen, widow, living with her son Edward Nappen and his family.

1940 U.S. Census, Atlantic City, Atlantic County, New Jersey; Roll: 1-71; Page 3A;
Lines 3-8; Record for family of Edward Nappen.

In 1940, Edward Nappen owned his home, valued at $4,000, at 15 South Florida Avenue in Atlantic City. He was born in New Jersey and had two years of high school education. His wife (with an 8th grade education) and oldest son were born in Pennsylvania and the younger two sons were born in New Jersey, narrowing down his move from Philadelphia to Atlantic City to between 1924-1926. After the three sons is listed Anna Nappen, Mother, 68 years old, born (about 1872) in Russia, a widow. "Al" indicates that she is an alien, not a citizen, which doesn't agree with all the other census records for her. The last column indicates that the entire family lived in the same house five years before. (In 1930, Edward Nappen's family lived across the street at #14 South Florida Avenue.)

Hannah's husband, Barnett Nappen, died on January 26, 1937. Based on the 1940 U.S. Census record, I'm guessing that he died in New Jersey, where he was likely living with his son, Edward. (Also, I was not able to find a death record for him in the Pennsylvania death indices.)

Hannah Nappen died on February 7, 1958, in Philadelphia. I have ordered a copy of her death certificate with the hopes of finding her mother's name. Hannah's mother is also the mother of Golda (Segal) Levitt, whose 1952 death certificate noted "Unknown" for mother's name, so I'm not optimistic.

Barnett and Hannah are buried in Woodbine, New Jersey.

See a photograph of the three Segal sisters and their brother.