Bernard Zerkowitz

Bernard Kohn-Zerkowitz was named in honor of his great-grandfather, Bernard Pick (c1740-c1822), who died in Trencin City a couple of years prior to his birth.

In the 1848 Jewish census of Trencin, Bernard Kohn-Zerkowitz is seen living with his widowed mother. He is listed as "Bernat KOHN", age 23. From then on, his age varies wildly in numerous census and other records. Note the following:

Bernhard Zerkowitz, age 32, divorced, son of Cacilia Zerkowitz, frau baker, Trencin #133, and Rosy Hochmuth, 20, dau. of Leny Hochmuth of Bap #26, m. in Bap, 20 November 1851

Bernat Czerkovez, age 58, ozvegy, berkocsis, b. Trencsen, son of Samuel and Zilli (Knopfelmacher) Czerkovez, and Ciecilia Schwarz, age 27, b. Pjecho, dau. of Jozsef and Leni (Brill) Schwarz, m. in Boleso, 7 June 1887 [witnesses: Jozsef Schwarz and Mor Exel] Bernat Czerkovicz, age 74, maganzo, d. on Vag utca, Trencin City, 10 September 1894

Trencin City, 1880:

Czerkovics, Bernat, b. 1828, Trencsen wife, Roza, b. 1830 son, Fulop, b. 1856

Trencin City, 1890:

Czerkovics, Bernat, b. 1830, Trencsen wife, Czecail, b. 1861, Bolesi son, Samu, b. 1865, Trencsen dau. Roza, b. 1887, Trencsen dau. Zsofia, b. 1888, Trencsen

The 1848 census record suggests a birth year of 1825; 1851 marriage record suggests a birth year of 1819; the 1887 marriage record suggests a birth year of 1829; the 1894 death record suggests a birth year of 1820; the 1880 census record indicates a birth year of 1828; and the 1890 census record indicates a birth year of 1830. Given that his parents were married in 1823, it is believed that Bernard's actual birth year was 1824.

In 1870, Bernard Zerkwoitz was living in Vienna, sharing a residence with his brother Philip at 8, Blindeng. 20. His occupation is given as "kleiderhandler". In Trencin City directories, 1871, 1872, 1873, and 1875, however, "Bernard Zerkovitz is seen back in his native Trencin.