David and Ida Bregger Papers

Collection — Multiple Containers

Identifier: MS-0200-0032

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

The papers of David and Ida Bregger offer an understanding of farming life in Darien Center, as well as glimpses into Jewish life on the East Side of Buffalo. Series I highlights legal and administrative aspects of these areas whereas series II touches on the personal experience of Ida Bregger and her family.

Series I consists of legal documents regarding Ida and David Bregger, and their applications for American citizenship, Jewish marriage document (ketubah) and farm loan administration materials from 1919 until its full payment in 1945. These latter documents highlight aspects of farming through the First World War, the Great Depression and Second World War. An auction notice includes itemized equipment assets including an egg candler used to check for blood spots that would render an egg unkosher. David and Ida Bregger had an egg and farm produce delivery route along Jefferson and Sycamore on the East Side of Buffalo.

Series II includes several highlights including a scrapbook documenting farm life in Darien Center, two charcoal prints of Ida Bregger's parents: Bertha and Samuel Rapaport, and a framed collage composed of Yiddish recipes written by Ida Bregger with family photographs, created by her granddaughter Beneta Silberstern. Ephemera in the form of sewing materials and ration books encased in cotton pouches provide examples of other material culture.

There are several name spelling variants within the collection. On her wedding invitation, Ida is identified as Ada. On official documentation David Bregger is sometimes referred to as Dave. His obituary lists him with an alternative family name spelling: David Breggar. Rapaport also appears with variant spellings.

Dates

circa 1880-1968
Majority of material found within 1919-1968

Creator

Bregger, David (Person)
Bregger, Ida (Person)
Silberstern, Beneta (Person)

Language of Materials

Collection material in English, Hebrew, and Yiddish.

Terms of Access

The David and Ida Bregger Papers, circa 1880-1969 (bulk 1919-1968) are open for research. There are no restrictions regarding access to or use of this collection.

Copyright

Copyright of papers in the collection may be held by their authors, or the authors' heirs or assigns. Researchers must obtain the written permission of the holder(s) of copyright and the University Archives before publishing quotations from materials in the collection. Most papers may be copied in accordance with the library's usual procedures unless otherwise specified.

Biographical Note

David Bregger (1884-1940) was born in Russia and served in the Russian Army. By March 1905, he was living in Buffalo on Beck Street and had applied for United States citizenship. Ida Bregger (1886-1967), nee Rapaport, was born May 30, 1886 in Russia. Her parents were Bertha Odein and Samuel Rapaport. She came to the United States in 1906 and married David Bregger in 1907. Their children were Joseph Bregger and Melvin Bregger. Both children were naturalized on March 7, 1929 when Joseph was nineteen and Melvin was nine. Ida Bregger was naturalized on April 6, 1939. The Bregger's lived on a farm on Broadway Road, Darien Center, New York, until shortly after the death of David Bregger. David and Ida Bregger initially settled on the East Side of Buffalo, but they moved to a farm in Crittenden, Alden, for a short period, then settled permanently on their own farm in Darien Center. From there they supplied various Jewish businesses on the East Side with farm produce as well as kosher eggs and kosher Passover milk. After the death of David Bregger, Ida Bregger remained on the farm, apart from a brief period in Niagara Falls at 2490 Weston Ave., during the Second World War. She returned to the farm after the Second World War, but sold it soon after and then moved back to Buffalo in the 1950s, buying a house on 783 Auburn Avenue. She became an employee for the Board of Education, making school lunches. In her final years, she became a resident of Rosa Coplon Jewish Home. Ida Bregger died in 1967.

Extent

6.13 Linear Feet (1 manuscript box, 1 half manuscript box, 1 flat oversize (20 x 16 x 1), 1 framed collage (46 x 34 x 1))

Additional Description

Abstract

Personal papers documenting the lives of Ida and David Bregger on their farm in Darien Center, N.Y., as well as Jewish life on the East Side of Buffalo, N.Y. Material includes loan documentation, photographs, personal correspondence, recipes, ephemera and newspaper clippings.

Arrangement

This collection is arranged in two series as follows:

Legal and Administrative
Personal Materials

Acquisition Information

Beneta Silberstern, granddaughter of Ida Bregger, donated her family materials in June 2013. The papers were arranged in April 2016 and it was deposited at the University Archives, Special Collections by the Jewish Buffalo Archives Project in April 2016.

The Jewish Buffalo Archives Project was founded in late 2007 under the auspices of the Bureau of Jewish Education of Greater Buffalo with a seed grant from the Foundation for Jewish Philanthropies. The Archives Project collects mainly 20th century documentation relating to the diverse histories, religious traditions and cultures of Jewish communities within the Greater Buffalo area of Western New York, encompassing the geographic areas of Erie and Niagara Counties and partners with the University Archives at the University at Buffalo to make these records accessible.

The arrangement and description of the David and Ida Bregger Papers, circa 1880-1968 (bulk 1919-1968), was made possible by funding obtained through the Foundation for Jewish Philanthropies.

Accruals and Additions

Accruals are not expected to this collection.

Related Resources

Jewish Buffalo Archives Project collections

Processing Information

Collection was processed by Chana Revell Kotzin in April 2016. The finding aid was finalized by Chana Revell Kotzin in April 2016. EAD created by University Staff in May 2016.