[Ger-Poland-Volhynia] A needle in a haystack -- Kushnevich from Russian Poland

[Ellen Cleary]

I will apologize in advance for the vagueness of this query.  It is the only
information I have and I realize it's a long shot looking for this
family...but I am sure I am in good company in this list...there are surely
others who are also looking for needles in haystacks.

I am researching a Jewish family.  I was elated when I learned that my great
grandmother was not just from Poland, she was from Russian Poland.  That is as
much as I have been able to narrow this search.

The family story is that Hannah Pauline GOLDSTEIN was from Russian Poland.
She was born in 1840.  Her surname was originally KUSHNEVICH.  [I got this
surname from my cousin, whose deceased father had recorded it.  I suspect his
father never saw the name written; he recorded it the way it sounded to him.]

Hannah was living with an aunt (whose name is lost to posterity) in England
(no specifics as to where in England) when she met her husband to be.  They
married in England and sailed for New Orleans.

I have thoroughly researched the Jewish marriage records in England and can
find no evidence of this marriage.

I am told that Hannah's family in Russian Poland was destroyed.  I have no
idea if this happened before she went to live with her aunt in England or
while she was living with her aunt in England.  Could this have been a pogram?
Was there just a family tragedy, like a fire?

Hannah boarded a ship in Liverpool, England in 1858 and sailed with her
husband to New Orleans.  I have found the passenger ship records and have
thoroughly researched all of the available records of her and her family here
in New Orleans.  None of what I have found has given me any more information
that what I have shared with you.

I don't think there is any more information to be found here in the US.  I
realize I may never find her family in Russian Poland.  But if any of you have
any suggestions for me, I would very much welcome them.

Ellen Barnett Cleary
Kenner (New Orleans area), Louisiana