Scans of the records this family actually filed. Where records conflict, the conflict is shown. Records for a Paris Schafir family are not linked to this one. Whether Herman Safir/Garber belongs to this family is unresolved.
The Philadelphia index card and Rhynland manifest place Pinches and Sarah/Sarali Safier together on the 17 August 1904 arrival. They were Hebrew passengers from Russia, last resident Paris, going to their father at 503 Reese Street in Philadelphia. The final letters of the father’s recorded name remain difficult; the page preserves the image rather than forcing a spelling. Pinches is listed as ten, conflicting with later adult records that point to 1889-1894.
The application records Philip’s birth as 5 June 1894, his father William alive and a teacher, and his mother Zissel deceased. It also records Sadie’s parents and prior divorce. The return says Rabbi M. S. Barg married the couple on 28 March 1922 under license 458181.
The Evening Public Ledger lists a license for Philip Saphir, 336 Garrett st., and Sadie Bashman, 1924 N. 30th st. Names and addresses only.
Philip and Sadie lived with their two children in a home valued at $3,000. The enumerator wrote the elder child as “Cecil,” son, age 7 (line 54), with Sarah, daughter, below. This is Cecile: the 1940 census records her as Cecile, daughter, and the 1930 “son” is an enumerator error. Philip was recorded as an alien who immigrated in 1904 and worked as a merchant in a general store.
Philip and Sadie remained at the same address they had occupied in 1935. Philip was a candy-store merchant. Cecile and Sarah were still at home. The 1940 census records Cecile as a daughter; the 1930 census had written her as “Cecil,” son, an enumerator error.
Philip gave 5 June 1889 as his birth date and Schumsk as his birthplace, with Sadie as contact and 1901 North Taylor Street as his address. The 1889 date conflicts with the 1894 marriage application and the 1890 death certificate entry; all three remain visible.
The signed naturalization index records the official name change from Pinches Sofar to Philip Saphir, petition 164882, admitted 24 November 1943. It records residence at 1901 North Taylor Street.
Philip, Sadie, Cecile and Sarah were together at 4825 Gransback Street. Philip, age 60 and born in Russia, was recorded as a cantor in a synagogue. Both daughters were unmarried and working as teachers.
Philip died 17 December 1950. The certificate records parents Allen and Zisel, occupation retired cantor, and informant Charles H. Berman. It gives 1890 as his birth year, one of several conflicting years in his records.
The Philadelphia indexes record Cecile Saphir under license 887056 in 1950 and Sarah Saphir under license 911413 around 1951-52. Indexes point to the files; they do not supply the full facts of the marriages.
