Max Fromm
* 1908

Helga Mathilde Fromm, born on 12 Aug. 1916, deported on 8 Nov. 1941 to Minsk
Max Fromm, born on 26 Nov. 1908, deported on 8 Nov. 1941 to Minsk

In the 1930s, Max Fromm worked as a sales representative for the N. Fromm Company, apparently earning a good income. His superior later described him as “one of the best traveling salesmen the company ever had.”

From 1937 to 1940, the childless couple lived at Rehhagen 2 in a spacious two-bedroom apartment. Between 1940 and Nov. 1941, when Max Fromm lost his job, the couple changed accommodations four times, living in, among other places, Heimhuder Strasse and Greflinger Strasse as subtenants. According to testimony by the brother, who had emigrated to the USA, they were forced to “flog” their considerable household effects very cheaply.

Whereas from 1937 onward, Max Fromm belonged to the Hamburg German-Israelitic Community, Helga Mathilde Fromm described herself as not being of any faith. Max Fromm’s occupational designation in the directory was merchant; in the deportation list, he is identified as a “wine sales representative” and Helga Mathilde Fromm as a homemaker. The couple financially supported Max Fromm’s needy father.

The records reveal that Max Fromm attempted to emigrate to Cuba in 1939. In that case, his wife, who wished or was supposed to stay behind, would have received the remaining assets and part of a property Fromm still owned. Since the emigration failed, however, both afterward lived on the 450 RM (reichsmark) a month granted to them from their own assets to cover living expenses.

The couple received the deportation order at Schlüterstrasse 14. Helga F. was declared officially dead as of 8 May 1945.

Translator: Erwin Fink

Kindly supported by the Hermann Reemtsma Stiftung, Hamburg.