International Jewish Cemetery Project
International Association of Jewish Genealogical Societies

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US Commission No. ROCE-0174 -

The cemetery is located at Sanmihaiu de Campie, near the village, code 4457, judet Bistrita, 4654 2420, 190.4 miles NNW of Bucharest and 49 km. from Bistrita. Alternative names: Michelsdorf (German), Mezoszentmihaly (Hungarian), SINMIHAIU DE CIMPIE and FRUNZI (Romanian.) Present town population is under 1,000 with no Jews.

  • Mayor Adam Simion, Sanmihaiu de Campie
  • The Jewish Community of Bistrita, Gr. Balan Street, 71, cod 4400, Bistrita, Romania
  • The Federation of The Jewish Communities of Romania, Sfintu Vineri Street no. 9-11, sect. 3, Bucharest, Romania
  • "Dr. Moshe Carmilly" Institute for Hebrew and Jewish History, Universitatii Street no. 7-9, room 61, 3400 Cluj-Napoca, Romania, Director: Ladislau Gyemant, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
  • Key holder and caretaker: Bungardean Dumitru, no. 114, Sanmihaiu de Campie

The 1857 Jewish population by census was six; in 1880 was eight; in 1900 was 23; and in 1930 was 72. In May 1944, the Jews were gathered in the ghetto of Bistrita and on June 2 and 6 were deported to Auschwitz. The unlandmarked Orthodox cemetery was established in 19th century. Last known burial in 20th century.

The rural/agricultural hillside, separate but near other cemeteries, has no sign or marker. Reached by a public road, access is open with permission. A fence with a gate that locks surrounds the site. Approximate pre- and post-WWII size was 10 m x 10 m. 1-20 stones are visible. Location of stones removed from the cemetery is unknown. Vegetation overgrowth in the cemetery is not a problem. Water drainage is good all year. No special sections.

The granite, flat shaped and smoothed and inscribed common gravestones have Hebrew inscriptions. No known mass graves. The national Jewish community owns the property used for
orchard. Adjacent properties are agricultural. Rarely, private Jewish or non-Jewish visitors stop at the never vandalized cemetery. Maintenance has been re-erection of stones, patching broken stones, cleaning stones, and clearing vegetation. Current care is occasional clearing or cleaning by unpaid individuals.

Cosmina Popa, Tatra Street no. 4, tel. 064/ 128764, Cluj Napoca, 3400 and Ioana Raiciu, Bd. 21 Decembrie, 13-15, 064/190849, Cluj-Napoca, 3400 visited the site and completed the survey on July 25, 2000 using the following documentation:

  • The General Census of the Population of Transylvania- 1850, Ed. Staff, 1996
  • Ernest Wager, Historisch- Statistisches- Ortsnamenbuch fur Siebenburgen-, Ed. Bohlau, 1977
  • Carmilly-Weinberger, Moshe. Istoria evreilor din Transilvania (1623-1944), Bucharest, 1994
  • Coriolan Suciu, Dictionar istoric al localităţilor din Transilvania, I-II, Bucharest, 1968.
  • Recensamintul general al populatiei din Transilvania ? 1930 decembrie 29, I-III, Bucharest, 1938

They interviewed Bungardean Dumitru, Sanmihaiu de Campie [January 2003]