The Trugman Family originated in a small town in the Ukraine by the name of Federick. The town, near Volochisk, in the Volhynia Gubernia, was located on the border with Austria/Poland and was seen as a gateway to Western Europe. A railroad, linking east and west, made its last stop in Volochisk Volochiskans were best known for importing eggs and dairy products over the border.
In the early part of the 20th Century, a young man of twenty-one was about to be inducted into the Czar's Army. He knew that Jewish conscriptees rarely returned alive. In order to save his mother, a widow, a fine of 300 Ruples should he not appear for conscription, this young man, with the help of friends, decided to escape. He knew that he would have to leave his entire family and the only country he ever knew, never to be able to return again. He confided in only a few people outside of his family.... those that were to help him and a group of young girls in the Pertzelai family.... one of whom he was particularly smitten with.
So begins the tale of my grandfather, Samuel Trugman who successfully escaped and made his way to America in 1910 where he was joined, a year later, by his seventeen year old girlfriend, Menya, daughter of Mechel Pertzelai. They married, started a family, and together helped bring her entire family line to America.
Grandfather Trugman had 4 children. Berel's family of 4 girls and two boys was split with two of the girls and my grandfather, Samuel Trugman bringing their families to America. The other two girls, his wife, and his son Max survived the Natzis and were evacuated in 1941 to Siberia which saved their lives as the rest of the Jews of Volochisk were all slaughtered. We have postcards to show that the girls survived into the 1960's but have lost all contact with that branch. Max and his family had actually lived in the US and had returned to Volochisk later sending their son, Ruby back to America. but that family too has disappeared. Some of Max's postcards can be found here.
Of Grandfather Trugman's two daughters, we know that both their families immigrated to the US. But brother Trugman is a mystery. According to a tree I have received from Amy Trugman, her Louis had a brother Max. It is quite possible that they are both children of "Brother" Trugman. Louis (b 1889 Russia D 1954 Brooklyn) married a Kate Hoffman (b 1888 Russia d. 1973 Brooklyn). They then had four children, Sophie, Morris, Anne and Abraham. There are further generations that can be added when we are sure of the connection). Abraham, is father to her husband, Mark.
The story of how my Grandfather, Samuel Trugman escaped from Volochisk is located here and a description of Volochisk, also written by him for the Wolochisker Lansmanshaft Society can be found here.