The sweep of family history across the generations
Following Isaak's death in 1929, Betty lived comfortably in the cosmopolitan Bavarian Quarter—until the Nazi repressions made life unbearable
How did Betty Katz meet her end in February 1942?
Betty’s father was a prosperous merchant who came to Pomerania from East Prussia.
During the first five years of Hitler's reign of terror, Jewish families of Berlin faced one repression after another.
From 1880s to the 1930s, the Ringel family prospered in the garment trade in the German capital. Herman made men's outerwear.
Schija Ringel came from Poland to seek his fortune in Berlin’s old Jewish district.
Before moving his family to Berlin in 1912, Isaak Wohlgemuth prospered as a mover in Danzig. His family roots were in nearby West Prussia.
Joseph Rabinowitz’s mother was Bertha Yesersky. Was she related to Sora Yesersky, the wife of Rabbi Elchanon Spektor?
Walter thought he had proved the family legend of descent from the celebrated Kovno Rav, Rabbi Yitchak Elchanon Spektor. Later facts emerged that suggested a more tenuous connection.