Levitansky Family Papers

This collection consists of 14 boxes, and is arranged by family member and subject matter into ten series: Series I: Etta Levine; Series II: Eugene Levine; Series III: Max Levine; Series IV: Norman Levine; Series V: Sydney Levine; Series VI: Thelma Worthen; Series VII: Felicia Zeidenfeld; Series VIII: Levitanksy Genealogy; Series IX: Subject Files; and Series X: Photographs.

Series I: Etta Levine is housed in Boxes 1-3 folder 5, and arranged alphabetically by folder title. This series consists primarily of Etta's correspondence with family, and a small amount of genealogical research materials.

Series II: Eugene Levine is housed in Box 3 folder 6 through Box 3 folder 13, and is arranged alphabetically by folder title. Series consists primarily of correspondence with family members.

Series III: Max Levine is housed in Box 3 folder 14 through Box 4 Folder 3, and is arraged alphabetically by folder title. Series consists primarily of correspondence with family and colleagues.

Series IV: Norman Levine is housed in Box 4 folder 4 through Box 7 folder 7, and is arranged alphabetically by folder title. This Series consists record relating to his time in the military, correspondence with family and friends, and materials related to his work as a Professor of Veterinary Parasitology at the Univeristy of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine.

Series V: Sydney Levine is housed in Box 7 folder 8, through Box 8 folder 10, and is arranged alphabetically by folder title. Series consists primarily of family correspondence, and family genealogical research materials.

Series VI: Thelma Worthen is housed in Box 8 folder 11 through Box 9 folder 1, and is arranged alphabetically by folder title. It consists primarily of correspondence with family and friends.

Series VII: Felicia Zeidenfeld is housed in Box 9 folder 2 through Box 9 folder 13, and is arranged alphabetically by folder title. Series consists of her writings, and family correspondences.

Series VIII: Levitanksy Genealogy represents the original core of this collection. This series is housed in Box 10 folder 1, through Box 11 folder 8, and is arranged alphabetically by folder title.

Series contains original geneaological research conducted by the family, going back to at least the eighteenth century. It Includes photographs (now in Series X), newspaper clippings, and descriptions of family events. The family claims Sephardic descent, as well as a clan name "Baranis." Among the descendants are Boris-Leavitt, founder of Lana Lobell women's mail-order house; Dr. Samuel A. Levine, a prominent cardiologist; Dr. Abraham L. Levin, medical inventor; and Dr. Max Levine, bacteriologist. A copy of a letter to latter from MIT (1913) shows the difficulties Jews faced in finding employment. A relationship with the Paradisthal (or Paradise) family of Chicago is noted.

Series IX: Subject Files is housed in Box 11 folder 9, through Box 12 folder 35; it is arranged alphabetically by folder title. Series includes family writings, interviews, oral histories, birth death and marriage certificates, and otherwise uncategorized correspondence.

Series X: Photographs is housed in Box 13 folder 1, through Box 14 folder 2; series is arranged alphabetically by folder title. This Series includes materials transferred from Series XIII, some of which date back to 1900. It also includes of family events, reunions, and pets (Box 13, folder 22).