Samuel Ferdmann with his wife Mira and son Charvie

This is the family of my father's brother Samuel Ferdmann, who is to the left holding his son Charvie, his wife Mira is to the right. The picture was taken in Narva in 1938.

My father and his brothers achieved everything themselves. They learned the tannery craft. The elder children started working and helped Grandmother with money. Then, they taught the younger ones their craft. All of them were shoemakers, not cobblers, but shoe-designers. This job required certain skills and was well paid.

Father’s brother Samuel married a Jewish girl from Riga. Her name was Mira. In 1937 their son Chaim Mendle was born. He was named after Grandfather. His secular name was Charvie. He was a wonderful boy.

On 28th December 1941 my uncle Samuel’s little son, Chaim Mendle, died. That day was my birthday. The kid was only four. He was the youngest and evacuation was the hardest on him. Of course, his death was a blow to the entire family.