The Auerhan Family
The story of a family from the town of Strzyżów in Galicia, its people and its journey to America, told from the records they left behind.
Strzyżów: the town the Auerhans came from →
Never forgetting, and remembering where we came from.
About this family history
The Auerhans were among the many Jewish families who left Strzyżów, a market town in Galicia, for New York in the early twentieth century. This site gathers the history of the town and of that journey. Full family history in preparation.
Relatives and researchers with a member account can read the family records here: Family records (member sign-in). If your family came from Strzyżów or knew the Auerhans there, we would be glad to hear from you: get in touch.
A timeline of Strzyżów and its Jews
- 1606: The first Jew is recorded in Strzyżów. Encyclopedia
- 1772: Strzyżów passes to Austria and becomes part of Galicia. Encyclopedia
- 1892–1924: More than a hundred Strzyżów Jews are recorded arriving in New York. On 17 February 1909 the Strzyzower Sick Mutual Aid Society was incorporated in New York City. Encyclopedia, with its source
- 1939: German troops occupy Strzyżów in September. Encyclopedia
- 1942: In late June (sources give dates between 24 and 28 June) the Jews of Strzyżów are taken to the Rzeszów ghetto; in July most are deported to the Bełżec death camp and murdered. Encyclopedia
Sources for the town's history
- Sefer Strzyzow ve-ha-seviva (The Book of Strzyzow and Vicinity), Tel Aviv, 1969: the town's memorial book; English translation on JewishGen. A book of memoirs, to be read as testimony.
- Yad Vashem, Central Database of Shoah Victims' Names.
- The Encyclopedia of Strzyżów on this site, where every entry names its sources.
Part of the Medgibosh remembrance archive.
In loving memory
Marcia Glick Auerhan&Robert M. Auerhan
The family name is also written Orhan, Or-Chen, Auerhahn, Auerhoun, אורהאן and אויערהאן. Related family names: Unger, Gruber, Edelstein (Adelstein), Kirshner.
The Auerhans came from Strzyżów, also written Strzyzow, Strizhov, Strizev, Strizhuv, Strishuv, Strizov, Strezow, Стшижув, Стрижів, סטריזוב and סטז'יז'וב. Read the Encyclopedia of Strzyżów.
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