The Ancestors of My Grandchildren

     Max Baum was born on 18 Aug 1907 in Linnich, Kreis Jülich.² He married Sophie Lichtenstein, daughter of Max Lichtenstein and Regina Schwarz, on 1 Feb 1935 at Jülich.^3,1 He was killed on 18 Dec 1943 in Auschwitz III in the camp hospital.^4,2

Other information: His parents were Gustav Baum (1876) and Johanna Harf (1879).⁵ He and Sophie Lichtenstein lived at Kirchstr. 12 in Linnich.⁵
     Max Baum was in Germany employed in the cattle firm with his fahter. In 1938 Max and Sophie went to the Netherlands, they first lived in Oirsbeek. During the war he was employed as a chauffeur.
Mr. and Mrs. Baum were arrestedby the Sicherheitsdienst on 25 Aug 1942 in Geleen. They were sent to Camp Vught, via Westerbork. In the summer of 1943 they are sent back to Westerbork, and from there to Auschwitz.
Max died in the hospital in Auschwitz III (Monowitz-Buna) His wife was exposed to the medical experiments of SS-Brigadeführer Prof. Clauberg. She was sent to various camps, but did survive.⁴ He and Sophie Lichtenstein lived at Kerkstraat 74 in Doenrade. The house had a cafe at the first floor and two apartments on the second floor. Max and Sophie lived on the right hand side (in the photo bikes are parked in front of the house.)⁶

The name of Max Baum is inscribed on the memorial to the Jews from Julich who were murdered in the 2nd World War, located in front of the Evangelical Church, on the corner of the Aachener Straße and the Düsseldorfer Straße. For a list of names and a photo click here.²