This post started small as simply the archival documentation of the teaching fellow positions at Harvard held by my dear dissertation advisor, Evsey Domar, before he left to work at the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System in 1943. But a detail led me to dive into immigration and citizenship records accessible through the genealogy website ancestry.com and I surfaced with Evsey David Domar’s, then (Evsey [Joshua] Domashevitsky’s) declaration of intention (1936) and petition for naturalization (1942). These two artifacts have been included in the post.
In an earlier post I provided Evsey Domar’s account of the final stage of his Ph.D. thesis review.
Harlan Monell Smith (b. 1914, d. 2013!), together with Alvin Hansen, signed an affidavit regarding Evsey Domar’s moral and civic worthiness for U.S. citizenship. Smith himself was educated at Harvard, Brown and the University of Chicago (Ph.D., 1949). He went on to become an economics professor at the University of Minnesota. (His obituary can be found at the Minneapolis “Star Tribune”, April 20, 2013, p. B4).
_________________
Evsey Domar
Timeline
1914. Born in Lodz, Poland.
1916. Family moved to Harbin, Manchuria.
1930. Graduated from a Russian high school.
1930-1932 (ca.) Study of economics at the State Faculty of Law in Harbin.
1934. Moved to Dairen, Manchuria.
1936. Emigrated to the United States.
1939. B.A. in Economics UCLA
1940. Student at University of Chicago
1941. M.A. (Mathematical Statistics) University of Michigan.
1943. A.M. Harvard University.
1947. Ph.D. Harvard University.
1943-46. Board of Governors, Federal Reserve System.
1946-47. Assistant Professor, Carnegie Institute of Technology.
1947-48. Research associate. Cowles Commission, University of Chicago.
1948-55. Associate Professor, Johns Hopkins University.
1955-58. Professor, Johns Hopkins University.
1958-1984. Professor, M.I.T.
1984-1997. Professor Emeritus, M.I.T. [taught some courses at Brandeis and Wellesley during this time]
1997. Died in Concord, Massachusetts.
_________________
From a note written for a relative
EVSEY D. DOMAR
I grew up in Harbin, Manchuria, where my family arrived in 1916. Harbin was the hub of the Chinese Eastern Railroad built by the Russians across Manchuria at the end of the last century. It was practically a Russian city, with Russian newspapers, theaters, and even Russian weights and measures. Originally, it had a Russian administration and Russian laws. I graduated from a Russian high school in 1930 and then studied for a year or so at the Economics Department of the State Faculty of Law. In 1934 I moved to Dairen, a Japanese colony at the very southern tip of Manchuria, a delightful city on the sea with an excellent climate but without the active cultural life of Harbin….
Source: Duke University, David Rubenstein Rare Book and Manuscripts Library. Economists’ Papers Archives. Evsey Domar Papers, Box 3, Folder “Correspondence D-General.”
_________________
U.S. Department of Labor
Immigration and Naturalization Service
No. 23 51762
CERTIFICATE OF ARRIVAL
I HEREBY CERTIFY that the immigration records show that the alien named below arrived at the port, on the date, and in the manner shown, and was lawfully admitted to the United States of America for permanent residence.
Name: Evsey (Joshua) Domashevitsky
Port of entry: San Pedro, California
Date: August 16, 1936.
Manner of arrival: SS Taiyo Maru
I FURTHER CERTIFY that this certificate of arrival is issued under authority of, and in conformity with, the provisions of the Act of June 29, 1906, as amended, solely for the use of the alien herein named and only for naturalization purposes.
In Witness Whereof, this Certificate of Arrival is issued.
[Stamped: “Oct 9—1936”]
[Signed]
D. W. MacCormack, Commissioner
_________________
No. 78493
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
DECLARATION OF INTENTION
(Invalid for all purposes seven years after the date hereof)
United States of America
Southern District of California
County of Los Angeles
ss: In the District Court of the United States
at Los Angeles
I, Evsey (Joshua) Domaschevitsky now residing at1154 W. 37th Dr., Los Angeles, Los Angeles, Calif. Occupation Student, aged 22 years, do declare on oath that my personal description is: Sex Male, color white, complexion medium, color of eyes dk.brown, color of hair dk.brown, height 5 feet 4 ½ inches; weight 143 pounds; visible distinctive marks mole on left ear and on right cheek, race Hebrew; nationality Russian. I was born in Lodz, Poland, on April 16, 1914. I am not married. The name of my wife or husband is [left blank], we were married on [left blank], at [left blank]; she or he was born at [left blank], on [left blank], entered the United States at [left blank], on [left blank], for permanent residence therein, and now resides at [left blank]. I have no children, and the name, date and place of birth, [left blank].
I have not heretofore made a declaration of intention:
Number [left blank], on [left blank], at [left blank], my last foreign residence was Dairen, Manchiria [sic]. I emigrated to the United States of America from Kobe, Japan, my lawful entry for permanent residence in the United States was at San Pedro, Calif. under the name of Evsey (Joshua) Domashevitsky, on Aug. 16, 1936 on the vessel SS Taiyo Maru. I will, before being admitted to citizenship, renounce forever all allegiance and fidelity to any foreign prince, potentate, state, or sovereignty, and particularly, by name, to the prince, potentate, state, or sovereignty of which I may be at the time of admission a citizen or subject; I am not an anarchist; I am not a polygamist nor a believer in the practice of polygamy; and it is my intention in good faith to become a citizen of the United States of America and to reside permanently therein. I certify that the photograph affixed to the duplicate and triplicate hereof is a likeness of me: SO HELP ME GOD.
[signed]
Evsey (Joshua) Domashevitsky
Subscribed and sworn to me in the office of the Clerk of said Court, at Los Angeles, Cal. This 24 day of Oct.anno Domini 1936. Certification No. 23-51762 from the Commissioner of Immigration and Naturalization showing the lawful entry of the declarant for permanent residence on the date state above, has been received by me. The photograph affixed to the duplicate and triplicate hereof is a likeness of the declarant.
[signed]
R. B. Zimmerman,
Clerk U.S. District Court, Southern District of California.
Form 2202-L-A
U.S. Department of Labor
Immigration and Naturalization Service
_________________
HARVARD UNIVERSITY
CAMBRIDGE
|
FACULTY OF ARTS AND SCIENCES |
5 UNIVERSITY HALL |
|
OFFICE OF THE DEAN |
June 14, 1941
Dear Mr. Conant:
At the request of Professor Chamberlin I recommend that the following appointments be made for one year from September 1, 1941, at the salaries indicated:
[…]
Teaching Fellows in Economics
Joshua Domashevitsky (B.A., Univ. of California at Los Angeles, 1939; M.A., Michigan, 1941, 640 Oxford Road, Ann Arbor, Michigan (After June: 51 West Second Street, Winona, Minnesota [Note: Domar’s recently immigrated (Dec. 13, 1940) mother Sarah Naumovna Domashevitsky was living in Winona, Minnesota in 1941]); at a salary of $1000. Mr. Domashevitsky is a Polish subject and has taken out first papers in the United States. (1st appointment).
[…]
Very truly yours,
[signed]
W. S Ferguson
President J. B. Conant
Massachusetts Hall
Source: Harvard University Archives. Records of President James B. Conant, Box 178, Folder “Economics, 1940-1941”.
_________________
HARVARD UNIVERSITY
CAMBRIDGE, MASSACHUSETTS
|
FACULTY OF ARTS AND SCIENCES |
5 UNIVERSITY HALL |
|
WILLIAM SCOTT FERGUSON, DEAN |
October 27, 1941
Dear Mr. Greene:
At the request of Professor Chamberlin, I recommend that the following increases in salary be made for 1941-42 for members of the Economics Department:
[…]
Joshua Domashevitsky, an increase of $333.33, making a total of $1333.33, all Department.
[…]
Very truly yours,
[signed]
W. S Ferguson
Mr. J. D. Greene
Massachusetts Hall
_________________
HARVARD UNIVERSITY
CAMBRIDGE, MASSACHUSETTS
|
FACULTY OF ARTS AND SCIENCES |
5 UNIVERSITY HALL |
|
PAUL HERMAN BUCK, DEAN |
June 5, 1942
Dear Mr. Conant:
At the request of Professor Chamberlin I recommend that the following appointments be made for one year from July 1, 1942, at the salaries indicated to cover a period of ten months beginning September 1, 1942:
[…]
Teaching Fellow in Economics
Josua Domashevitsky (B.A., University of California at Los Angeles, 1939; M.A., Michigan, 1941), 7 Story Street, Cambridge; at a salary of $1033.33. 2d appointment. Since Mr. Domashevitsky is a Polish citizen and has taken out first papers for citizenship in the United States, a statement concerning his loyalty is attached.
[…]
Very truly yours,
[signed]
Paul H. Buck.
President J. B. Conant
Massachusetts Hall
Source: Harvard University Archives. Records of President James B. Conant, Box 204, Folder “Economics, 1941-1942”.
_________________
HARVARD UNIVERSITY
DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMICS
|
E. H. CHAMBERLIN, CHAIRMAN |
M-8 LITTAUER CENTER CAMBRIDGE, MASSACHUSETTS |
June 6, 1942
Dear Dean Buck:
Mr. Joshua Domashevitsky, who is being recommended by the Department of Economics for reappointment as Teaching Fellow, has been in the United States for a number of years and has taken out his first papers for American citizenship. I am confident there should be no question whatever as to his loyalty to this country.
Sincerely yours,
[signed]
E. H. Chamberlin
Dean Paul H. Buck
[Stamped date: “June 8, 1942”]
Source: Harvard University Archives. Records of President James B. Conant, Box 204, Folder “Economics, 1941-1942”.
_________________
HARVARD UNIVERSITY
CAMBRIDGE, MASSACHUSETTS
|
FACULTY OF ARTS AND SCIENCES |
5 UNIVERSITY HALL |
|
PAUL HERMAN BUCK, DEAN |
October 2, 1942
Dear Mr. Conant:
At the request of Professor Chamberlin I recommend that […] the following changes in salary be made for the present academic year:
[…]
Joshua Domashevitsky, Teaching Fellow in Economics, an increase of $200, making a total of $1233.33.
[…]
Very truly yours,
[signed]
Paul H. Buck.
President J. B. Conant
Massachusetts Hall
Source: Harvard University Archives. Records of President James B. Conant, Box 226, Folder “Economics, 1942-1943”.
_________________
No. 243932
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
PETITION FOR NATURALIZATION
[Under General Provisions of the Nationality Act of 1940 (Public, No. 853, 76th Cong.)]
To the Honorable the U.S. District Court of Massachusetts at Boston.
This petition for naturalization, hereby made and filed, respectively shows:
(1) My full, true, and correct name is Evsey David Domaschevitsky a.k.a. Evsey David Domar. (2) My present place of residence is 14 Chauncy Street, Cambridge, Middlesex, Mass. (3) Occupation Student. (4) I am aged 28 years old. (5) I was born on April 16, 1914 in Lodz Pietrokow Poland. (6) My personal description is: Sex male, color white, complexion medium, color of eyes dkbrown, color of hair brown, height 5 feet 4 ½ inches, weight 134 pounds, visible distinctive marks none, race white; present nationality Polish. (7) I am not married; the name of my wife or husband is [left blank], we were married on [left blank], at [left blank]; she or he was born at [left blank], on [left blank], and entered the United States at [left blank], on [left blank], for permanent residence therein, and now resides at [left blank] and was naturalized on [left blank] at [left blank] certificate No. [left blank]; or became a citizen by [left blank]. (8) I have no children, and the name, sex, date, and place of birth, and present place of residence of each of said children who is living, are as follows: [left blank]. (9) My last foreign residence was Dairen, Manchuria. (10) I emigrated to the United States of America from Kobe, Japan. (11) My lawful entry for permanent residence in the United States was at San Pedro, Calif. under the name of Evsey (Joshua) Domashevitsky, on Aug. 16, 1936 on the SS Taiyo Maru as shown by the certificate of my arrival attached to this petition.
(12) Since my lawful entry for permanent residence I have not been absent from the United States, for a period or periods of 6 months or longer, as follows:
[Table without entries omitted here]
(13) I declared my intention to become a citizen of the United States on October 24, 1936 in the USDC Court of Southern District at Los Angeles California. (14) It is my intention in good faith to become a citizen of the United States and to renounce absolutely and forever all allegiance and fidelity to any foreign prince, potentate, state, or sovereignty, and particularly, by name, to the prince, potentate, state, or sovereignty of whom or which at this time I am a citizen or subject, and it is my intention to reside permanently in the United States. (15) I am not, and have not been for the period of at least 10 years immediately preceding the date of this petition, an anarchist; nor a believer in the unlawful damage, injury, or destruction of property, or sabotage; nor a disbeliever in or opposed to organized government; nor a member of or affiliated with any organization or body of persons teaching disbelief in or opposition to organized government. (16) I am able to speak the English language (unless physically unable to do so). (17) I am, and have been during all of the periods required by law, attached to the principles of the Constitution of the United States and well disposed to the good order and happiness of the United States. (18) I have resided continuously in the United States of America for the term of 5 years at least immediately preceding the date of this petition, to wit, since Aug. 16, 1936 and continuously in the State in which this petition is made for the term of 6 months at least immediately preceding the date of this petition, to wit, since Feb. 1, 1942. (19) I have not heretofore made petition for naturalization: No. [left blank] on [left blank] at [left blank] in [left blank] Court, and such petition was dismissed or denied by that Court for the following reasons and causes, to wit: [left blank] and the cause of such dismissal or denial has since been cured or removed. (20) Attached hereto and made a part of this, my petition for naturalization, are my declaration of intention to become a citizen of the United States (if such declaration of intention be required by the naturalization law), a certificate of arrival from the Immigration and Naturalization Service of my said lawful entry into the United States for permanent residence (If such certificate of arrival be required by the naturalization law), and the affidavits of at least two verifying witnesses required by law.
(21) Wherefore, I, your petitioner for naturalization, pray that I may be admitted a citizen of the United States of America, and that my name be changed to
Evsey David Domar.
(22) I, aforesaid petitioner, do swear (affirm) that I know the contents of this petition for naturalization subscribed by me, that the same are true to the best of my own knowledge, except as to matters therein stated to be alleged upon information and belief, and that as to those matters I believe them to be true, and that this petition is signed by me with my full, true name: SO HELP ME GOD.
[signed]
Evsey David Domashevitsky
Evsey David Domar
AFFIDAVIT OF WITNESSES
The following witnesses, each being severally, duly, and respectively sworn, depose and say:
My name is Alvin H. Hansen, my occupation is college professor. I reside at 56 Juniper Rd. Belmont, Mass. and
My name is Harlin [sic] M. Smith, my occupation is student. I reside at 15½ Shepard St. Cambridge, Mass.
I am a citizen of the United States of America Wit. Hansen I have personally known and have been acquainted in the United States with said Domashevitsky, the petitioner named in the petition for naturalization of which this affidavit is a part, since October 1, 1941 and Wit. Smith has known the petitioner since Feb. 1, 1942 to my personal knowledge, the petitioner has resided immediately preceding the date of filing this petition, in the United States continuously since the date last mentioned and at Cambridge, in the State of Mass. continuously since Feb. 1, 1942 and I have personal knowledge that the petitioner is and during all such periods has been a person of good moral character, attached to the principles of the Constitution of the United States, and well disposed to the good order and happiness of the United States, and in my opinion the petitioner is in every way qualified to be admitted a citizen of the United States.
I do swear (affirm) that the statements of fact I have made in this affidavit of this petition for naturalization subscribed by me are true to the best of my knowledge and belief: SO HELP ME GOD.
[signed] Alvin H. Hansen
[signed] Harlan M. Smith
Subscribed and sworn to before me by the above-named petitioner and witnesses in the respective forms of oath shown in said petition and affidavit in the office of the Clerk of said Court at Boston, Mass. this 13th day of October Anno Domini 1942. I herby certify that Certificate of Arrival no 23 51762 from the Immigration and Naturalization Service, showing the lawful entry for permanent residence of the petitioner above named, together with Declaration of Intention no. 78493 of such petitioner, has been by me filed with, attached to, and made a part of this petition on this date.
Deps.
[signed] James S. Allen, Clerk
By [signature illegible], Deputy Clerk.
OATH OF ALLEGIANCE
I hereby declare, on oath, that I absolutely and entirely renounce and abjure all allegiance and fidelity to any foreign prince, potentate, state, or sovereignty of whom or which I have heretofore been a subject or citizen; that I will support and defend the Constitution and laws of the United States of America against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; and that I take this obligation freely without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; SO HELP ME GOD. In acknowledgment whereof I have hereunto affixed my signature.
[signed] Evsey David Domar…Evsey David Domashevitsky
Sworn to in open court, this 21 day of Dec, A.D. 1942
Petition granted: Line No. [left blank] of List No. 734 and Certificate No. 5703583 issued.
_________________
HARVARD UNIVERSITY
CAMBRIDGE, MASSACHUSETTS
|
FACULTY OF ARTS AND SCIENCES |
5 UNIVERSITY HALL |
|
PAUL HERMAN BUCK, DEAN |
January 27, 1943
Dear Mr. Greene:
Professor Chamberlin has informed me that Mr. Evsey D. Domar (formerly Joshua Domashevitsky) is resigning as Teaching Fellow in Economics as of February 1, 1943. Will you kindly present this resignation to the corporation.
According to Professor Chamberlin Mr. Domar was voted a salary $1233.33 to be pro-rated equally over the ten-month period from September to June. He now says Mr. Domar was expected to carry a heavier load in second half-year. His salary for the first half-year should, therefore, he fixed at a total of $566.67.
Mr. Domar understands than this adjustment will be made in the check to be sent him on February 1. I have asked the Bursar not to make a payment to Mr. Domar until he has been notified by you as to the proper amount to be paid on that date.
Very truly yours,
[signed]
Paul H. Buck.
Mr. J. D. Greene
Massachusetts Hall
Source: Harvard University Archives. Records of President James B. Conant, Box 226, Folder “Economics, 1942-1943”.
Image Source: Joshua Domashevitsky (a.k.a. Evsey D. Nomar) in the UCLA yearbook, 1939 Southern Campus, p. 52. Colorized by Economics in the Rear-view Mirror.