Follow
This project seeks to collect information on the Jewish families of Kolmar, Prussia, also known as Chodziez or Chodziesen.
The Kreis Kolmar in Posen (as of 1877; 1818–1877 Kreis Chodziesen) was one of several Kreise (English: counties) in the northern administrative Region of Bromberg, in the Prussian Province of Posen.
Chodzież [%CB%88x%C9%94d%CD%A1%CA%91e%CA%82] (German: Kolmar) is a town in northwestern Poland with 20,400 inhabitants (1995). Situated in the Chodzież County, Greater Poland Voivodeship (since 1999), previously in Piła Voivodeship (1975–1998).
In the German language, it has traditionally been known as Chodziesen, after 1879 Kolmar in Posen. This name may be falling into disuse over time, though it can still be found in current use in Germany in some cases.
From the International Jewish Cemetery Project:
Alternate names: Chodzież [Pol], Kolmar [Ger], Chodziesen, Kolmar in Posen, 52°59' N, 16°55' E, 39 miles N of Poznań (Posen), 20 km from Pila. Słownik Geograficzny Królestwa Polskiego (1880-1902), I, pp. 613-615: "Chodzież". Jewish population: 795 in 1871. A town in NW Poland with 20,400 inhabitants in 1995, Chodziez has been part of the Greater Poland Voivodeship since 1999 and previously was in Piła Voivodeship (1975-1998). Known as Chodziesen and after 1879 as Kolmar in Posen.[April 2009] US Commission No. POCE00419 Cemetery: ul. Jana Kochanowskiego. 1991 : population is 5,000-25,000 with no Jews. Town: Urzad Miasta w Chodziezy. Local: mgr. Roman Chwaliszewski Wojewodski Konserwator Zabytkow, 64-920 Pila ul. Tczewska 1, tel. 223-88. Regional: Panstwowa Sluzba Ochrony Zabytkow odckiar w Pile, mgr. Barbara Lucrynska; eckes. Others with information: mgr. Marek Fijaikowski, Museum Oksegone (?), 64-920 Pila ul. Chopina, tel. 271-37. The earliest known Jewish community in Chodziez was 1688 (when the Privilege was granted). The Progressive/Reform Jewish cemetery dates from the beginning of the 17th century. The isolated urban flat land has no sign or marker. Reached by turning directly off a public road, there is no fence or gate. The size of the cemetery before WWll was 2.5 hectares. There are no gravestones or structures. Many tombstones were incorporated into the road from town to the sanitarium of Pkp. Municipality owns site used for recreation and a school. Adjacent property is residential. The cemetery boundaries are smaller in size than in 1939 due to a housing development. The cemetery was vandalized prior to WWll with no maintenance or care. Henryk Grecki, 70-534 Szczecrn, ul. Soltysia 3/13, tel. 377-41 completed survey 30 Aug 1991. The site was not visited. Last Updated on Thursday, 16 April 2009 02:05." Accessed September 29, 2016
From the Jewish Encyclopedia 1908:
..."Until 1691 no Jew set foot into Colmar. A community, however, began to form in 1789; and its history, from that time on, differs little from that of other communities in France and Germany. With the introduction of the system of consistories (1808) Colmar became the seat of one, with twenty-five dependent communities. At present (1903) Isidore Weill is grand rabbi of the consistory. The district of Colmar includes about 11,000 Jews. There are several benevolent societies, the most noteworthy of which are the Société de Patronage des Jeunes Israélites and the Société des Dames. See Alsace"... Accessed September 29, 2016.
The Naturalized Jews of the Grand Duchy of Posen in 1834 and 1835 Revised Edition Compiled by Edward David Luft lists 59 individuals who were granted citizenship in Chodziez. Nearby towns include Uscz 7 people, Margonin 17 people, Samoczyn 19 people, Budzin 13 and Schneidermuhl 25 people who were made citizens.