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In 19th century Russia, the son of a blacksmith married the daughter of a miller. Take a look at this website to read the family’s story – an escape from conscription into the Russian army, an unfinished journey to live in New York, and the short trip from poverty in London’s East End to meet the King and Queen at Buckingham Palace.

Find out how a brother and sister swapped surnames (sort of), discover why a lazy government official is responsible for so many family members having ‘Lewis’ in their name, and read about an imaginary tea party with the two brothers and six sisters.

Find out about the town of Dokshitz in Russia where the family originated, read how the girls’ father lived alone in London for four years while he saved enough money to buy his family a ticket for a boat journey to join him, and discover how his wife’s journey began with a heart-rending goodbye to the father she’d never see again.

If Yehuda and Leah Karbatznick hadn’t left Dokshitz, the family would have been there when the Nazis arrived in 1942. Read the story of Leah’s uncle who was still there when the Germans arrived.

Take a look at photos of the Karbatznicks and their eight children, 13 grandchildren, 30 great-grandchildren, 54 great-great-grandchildren, and eight (so far!) great-great-great-grandchildren. Explore the family tree and look at photos and the video from the 11 December 2011 event.

Enjoy.