ROOTS
21/6/2002
Brazilian roots out relatives' graves

GRAVE MISSION: Brazilian Walter Whitton Harris, left, in Manchester on a mission to find graves of ancestors with local friend Eddie Weinstein

A BRAZILIAN man has been able to trace the final resting place of his relatives - thanks to the Jewish Telegraph's Roots Directory.

Foot and ankle surgeon Walter Whitton Harris wrote in to the directory last month to find out where his grandmother and uncle were buried.

His grandmother Sophia Goss was born Sophia Cohen in 1875. She married Marcus Harris and died in 1936. His uncle, Nathan, was born in 1896, lived in Bishop Street, Hightown, Manchester, and died in 1957.

Walter and his wife Marissa have been touring the UK. When they stopped off in Manchester on June 18 they were delighted to discover that Telegraph reader Stanley Miller had found the graves in Blackley cemetery.

Walter called into the office with Eddie Weinstein, of Prestwich, who is a friend of Stanley Miller. The pair were en route to the cemetery.

Walter said: ''Although my grandmother was called Goss, her first husband was Marks (not Marcus) Goss. I have always been interested in family history and this was my opportunity to visit.''

Material from the Internet has helped Walter compile the Harris family history for his sons Pedro, 26, and Hugo, 24.

Walter explains: ''My late father Walter Harris and my late mother Edith Agnes Whitton were both from London. They met in Brazil.''

Walter and his wife will be rooting for Brazil in the World Cup clash with England this morning (Friday) - although they will be on a train bound for Salisbury at match time.

''Obviously I hope they can win and make it a fifth World Cup victory,'' he said.


To make an appeal, email MIKE COHEN at roots@jewishtelegraph.com Please include your home address.

 
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