Rheintorstraße 20 1937

My name is Hans David Blum. This is the house where I was born in 1919 and where I grew up – Judengasse 525. 

My father was Ludwig Blum. He was a cattle trader. My mother Mathilde came from the Weil family in Emmendingen. 

I have three older siblings. Being the youngest, I grew up like an only child. I missed my brother Berthold very much when he left for America. My friends were able to partly replace my siblings. 

The family picture that's most meaningful to me was taken at the golden wedding anniversary of my grandparents Mathilde and Gideon in 1920. Everyone lined up in the courtyard for Mr Mühlbauer, the photographer. I was just a baby... Everything was peaceful back then in 1920. 

When I think about what has become of all the cousins, uncles and aunts, friends and neighbours!

There were horse stables at the edge of the neighbourhood, and in the large gardens there were fruit trees and vegetable beds. To the east, behind the houses on Judengasse, there were gardens where we children could play without a care. Behind the fence was the old cemetery, and in the middle of the meadows not far off was the new one.