Sigismund Sandeman (1867 – 1947)

 

Sigismund Sandeman (Simcha Sandmann) has the distinction of being probably the first Jew to have been born in Middlesbrough, in 1867. His parents are believed to have come from Berlin, Germany.

On 6 April 1892 , then a draper aged 25, he married Flora Posner, 24, a teacher at Jews’ Free School and daughter of Jacob Posner, furrier, at the New Synagogue, St Helen’s, Bishopsgate, London. They subsequently lived at 62 Leman Street, London.

His business was second hand furniture and property. He founded the SE London shul in New Cross.

At some point, he went to live in South Africa

During World War I he changed his family name to Walters, in order to avoid anti- German feeling.

He died in London in 1947 at the age of 80.

Simon Sandeman

My great-grandfather, Simon SANDMANN (later SANDEMAN) lived there in the 1860s. His two sons, Sigismund (my grandfather) and Jacob were born there, in 1864 and 1867.

Later, in 1881, Simon was in Parkhurst Jail, I don't know why. Any suggestions? [Ed note: Click here for update]

This information has been supplied by his granddaughter, Miriam Margolyes, Santa Monica, California, USA.