From Ilya Dubin
Two years ago, I received an email from Mila Eyg. She told of a ZARHIN family she knew in Slutsk. She wasn't sure of the transliteration. I didn't recognize the names, nor did I know my Belarussian geography as well as I do today. I also was not up on the reasons there were so many different spellings: Hebrew, Russian, French influence, Germanic influence and the American English rendering of the name. At any rate, I tried to email her back but it bounced. I was devastated as I was sure this was part of my family. Because Jewish Gen maintains such good records, I was able to call Mila and arrange a meeting. She lives ten minutes from my house!On Friday, July 9, 1999, at about 7-ish, we met for what I thought was coffee and cake. Mila and her husband, Israel said I should stay for Shabbos "Slutsk-style". It was delicious! Well, another surprise was the distant cousin of these Zarhins in Belarussia was coming over. His name is Ilya Dubin and he had with him three photos. We exchanged phone numbers and addresses.
At the end of the evening, there was no doubt that these Zarhins belonged to us. Ilya said that Fivle's sister-in-law in Israel knows more about the Zarhins. He wrote to her and told me that it would take about a month for it to travel to Belarussia, too. Look below for the photos donated by Ilya Dubin.
Fivle and Polina Zarhin in Slutsk
I think he resembles Laivik Zarkhin.
Michael Zarhin in Belarussia
A definite family resemblence!
Yuri Zarhin in Belarussia
He must look like his mother's side.
