Chernit Family History & Genealogy

Sam Chernitsky (later Sam Chernit) was the town troublemaker, growing up in Poland. He even made trouble at home, when he told his father where his mother hid money. The town finally got together and gave him money to go to America. Sam got to New York, and hung out in the dance halls. There he became friends with George Raft, Barbara Stanwyk and others. He became very good friends with the dancehall owners who promised Sam that they would leave him the dancehall in their wills. They did not. Sam only showed up when he had money. When he was broke he disappeared. Sam the Gonoph, a character from Damon Runyon, was based on Sam. He knew everyone. Sam was even supposed to be acting mayor for one day. Sam was friends with the sports editor of the Daily Mirror (a newspaper at the time). Through him, he got tickets to everything happening at the Madison Square Garden, like circuses, ice skating, hockey, basketball games, etc. He also knew the owner of the Stage Delicatessen, Max Asnez, well. His niece writes: "Sam once took me to Gallagher’s Steak House, in Manhattan, along with 35 guests. Of course, Sam flashed his bankroll. He was treating. At about 10 or 11pm, Sam said it was past my bedtime, and had Lt. McNamara ( a policeman) take me home in a cab. I was 15. Incidentally, he also took me to a police museum that was somewhere under the subway, not open to the public. There I recall seeing counterfeit money-making machines. Sam was my fairy godfather. He introduced me to Ethel Merman, and Tony Canzoneri (prizefighter). He was invited to go on a tour of Europe, by a famous movie director. I think it was David O. Selznick. However, he declined because he was an illegal citizen, and feared he wouldn’t be able to return to USA." "During all of this, Sam had a small factory, on the lower east-side. Here, he made zippered change purses, and key cases. He lived in the Edison Hotel. "In his later years, probably in his 60s, he married a showgirl with several brothers. They took him for all he was worth. Sam disappeared once again. He was on the Missing Persons List. However, the police knew where he was. He had letters from and to Mayors of big cities saying that when Sam came to town, he should be set up in a hotel. "Some time after this, he tried to make a comeback. He set up a factory in Philadelphia but It was not successful. So he went back to Bleeker Street, in lower Manhattan, and started another factory."