ICHNYA

ICHNYA: 251320, US Commission No. UA24050101
Ichnya 251320 is located in Chernigovskaya at 50º52 32º24, 180 km from Chernigov, 155 km from Kiev and 69 km from Konotop. Present town population is 5,001-25,000 with 11-100 Jews. No town official information given.
     The earliest known Jewish community was 2-d half 19 [sic]. 1913 Jewish population (census) was 575. The last known Hasidic Jewish burial was 1989. No other towns or villages used this unlandmarked cemetery. The isolated wooded suburban agricultural area has no sign or marker. Reached by turning directly off a public road, access is open to all. Hedges or trees, but no gate, surround the cemetery. 1 to 20 stones, all in original location with no surviving stones toppled or broken, date from 1947. Location of any removed stones is unknown. The cemetery has special sections for men and women. Some tombstones have other metallic elements and/or metal fences around graves. The cemetery contains no known mass graves. The municipality owns the property used for Jewish cemetery only. Adjacent properties are agricultural and residential. The cemetery boundaries are unchanged since 1939. Visitors (Jewish or non-Jewish) and local residents visit rarely. Jewish individuals within country cleaned stones and cleared vegetation 1960-1989. Now, individuals occasionally clean or clear site. Within the limits of the cemetery are a well and other structures. Vegetation overgrowth is a constant problem, disturbing graves. Water drainage is a seasonal problem. Serious threat: vegetation. Moderate threat: uncontrolled access. Slight threat: weather erosion, pollution, vandalism and existing nearby development.
     Eleonora Evgenievna Sokolova of 253152, Kiev, Tychini Prospect 5, Apt. 68 [Phone: (044) 5505681] visited site and completed survey on 8/10/94. Interviewed was Tsilyurik Sofiyu Andreevna of Vijen Street 4 on 8/10/94. Other documentation exists but was too general.