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Fima Schwartzman

Fima Chaim SCHWARZMANAge: 30 years1911–1941

Name: Fima Chaim SCHWARZMAN

Given names: Fima Chaim

Surname: SCHWARZMAN

Hebrew: חיים שוורצמן

Romanized: Haim ŠVARCMANIS

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Events of close relatives
Birth	1911 (5671) 33 25 Kraslava, Russia (Latvia) - (לטביה)קרסלבה, רוסיה
Birth of a sister	Chaya SCHWARZMAN January 25, 1914 (Tevet 27, 5674) (Age 3 years) Kraslava, Russia (Latvia) - קרסלבה, רוסיה-לטביה
Birth of a sister	Nussia Kassia SCHWARZMAN 1916 (5676) (Age 5 years) Kraslava, Latvia - קרסלבה, לטביה
Marriage	Judith KRISTAL — View this family December 1, 1940 (Kislev 1, 5701) (Age 29 years) Riga, Latvia (USSR) Note: The photo of the wedding of Chaim Swartzman and Judith Kristal in Riga in December 1940. Left to right: Misha Kaminar (son of Sonia); Sonia Swartzman-Kaminar (Chaim’s sister); Shraga & Esther Swartzman (Chaim’s parents); Judith Kristal-Swartzman and Chaim (Fima) Swartzman. At back, David & Ette Kristal (Judith's parents). Fima and Judith Swartzman wedding
Occupation	Pharmacist Riga, Latvia - ריגה, לטביה Hebrew: רוקח
Residence	between 1940 (5700) and 1941 (5701) (Age 29 years) Riga, Latvia Address: Apartment 7, 29 Matisa iela, Riga, Latvia Registration of removal of Chaim Shwartzman from his home Note: Document of the Latvian Police relating to the removal of Jews from their residences and their trans… Document of the Latvian Police relating to the removal of Jews from their residences and their transfer elsewhere, presumably to the Ghetto or directly for murder at Rumbula. The column headings are loosely as follows: 1 – Apartment no. - 1 2 – Date of arrival - 1940, December 27 3 – Name, family name, marital status (married and unmarried, widowed), or children under 16 years of age who do not have individual passports or personal identity - Shvarcmanis Haims, married 4 – Where and when born - 1910 1st. January, Kraslava 5 – Occupation - Pharmacist 6 – Former residence (note wording) - Matisa iela no. 29, Apt. 7, see page 120 7 – Passport or identity no., when issued and where. - Latvian passport J.J.00544, issued Kraslava 2/5/1938. Police registration Duagavpils 1928, 27th March 8 – Police registration - recorded 27 December 1940, 9 – when left and to where - 2 July 1941, Destination unkown 10 – When prescribed - 29th July 1941
Death of a wife	Judith KRISTAL 1941 (5701) (on the date of death) Riga, Latvia - ריגה, לטביה Cause: Holocaust Victim Note: Killed on 30th November or 8th December 1941 in massacre at Rumbula Forest near Riga. Killed on 30th November or 8th December 1941 in massacre at Rumbula Forest near Riga. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rumbula_massacre
Death of a mother	Esther RAMBAM July 1, 1941 (Tamuz 6, 5701) (Age 30 years) Kraslava, Latvia - קרסלבה, לטביה Cause: Killed in bomb blast during Nazi occupation of Kraslava in Barberossa campaign. Source: Kasia Swartzman Dezerchov & Chaya Swartzman - Page of Testimony Publication: https://yvng.yadvashem.org/ Citation details: https://yvng.yadvashem.org/nameDetails.html?language=en&itemId=877189&ind=1 Text: Last Name Swarzman Last Name Shvartzman First Name Ester Maiden Name Rambam Gender Female Date of Birth 1883 Place of Birth Kraslava,Daugavpils,Latgale,Latvia Father's First Name Mikhael Mother's First Name Khava Spouse's First Name Favesh Permanent Place of Residence Kraslava,Daugavpils,Latgale,Latvia Place during the War Kraslava,Daugavpils,Latgale,Latvia Place of Death Kraslava,Daugavpils,Latgale,Latvia Date of Death 06/1941 Status according to Source murdered Submitter's Last Name Shvartzman Submitter's First Name Khaia Relationship to Victim Daughter Source Yad Vashem - Pages of Testimony Names Memorial Collection Type of material Page of Testimony Item ID 877189 Source: Kasia Dezerchov - Page of Testimony Citation details: https://yvng.yadvashem.org/nameDetails.html?language=en&itemId=492411&ind=1 Text: Last Name Schwarzman Last Name Shvartzman First Name Ester Maiden Name Rambakh Gender Female Age 65 Date of Birth 1890 Place of Birth Latvia Father's First Name Mikhael Mother's First Name Khaia Marital Status Married Spouse's First Name Shraga Spouse's First Name Pavel Permanent Place of Residence Latvia Profession Housewife Place during the War Kraslava,Daugavpils,Latgale,Latvia Place of Death Kraslava,Daugavpils,Latgale,Latvia Status according to Source murdered Submitter's Last Name Dazorchev Submitter's First Name Khasia Relationship to Victim Daughter Source Yad Vashem - Pages of Testimony Names Memorial Collection Type of material Page of Testimony Item ID 492411
Death of a sister	Sonia SCHWARZMAN August 2, 1941 (Av 9, 5701) (Age 30 years) Dvinsk, Latvia - דווינסק, לטביה Cause: Holocaust Victim Source: Zvi Kaminar - Page of Testimony Citation details: https://yvng.yadvashem.org/nameDetails.html?language=en&itemId=414644&ind=1 Text: Last Name Kaminer First Name Sara Gender Female Date of Birth 1910 Place of Birth Kraslava,Daugavpils,Latgale,Latvia Marital Status Married Spouse's First Name Shmuel Spouse's First Name Ozer Permanent Place of Residence Kraslava,Daugavpils,Latgale,Latvia Place during the War Kraslava,Daugavpils,Latgale,Latvia Place of Death Kraslava,Daugavpils,Latgale,Latvia Date of Death 1942 Status according to Source murdered Submitter's Last Name Kaminer Submitter's First Name Tzvi Relationship to Victim Cousin Source Yad Vashem - Pages of Testimony Names Memorial Collection Type of material Page of Testimony Item ID 414644 Source: Kasia Swartzman Dezerchov & Chaya Swartzman - Page of Testimony Publication: https://yvng.yadvashem.org/ Citation details: https://yvng.yadvashem.org/nameDetails.html?language=en&itemId=718692&ind=1 Text: Last Name Kaminar Last Name Kaminer First Name Sonya First Name Sonia Maiden Name Swarzman Maiden Name Shvartzman Gender Female Date of Birth 1909 Place of Birth Kraslava,Daugavpils,Latgale,Latvia Father's First Name Faivush Mother's First Name Ester Spouse's First Name Shmuel Spouse's First Name Leizer Permanent Place of Residence Kraslava,Daugavpils,Latgale,Latvia Place during the War Kraslava,Daugavpils,Latgale,Latvia Date of Death 1941 Status according to Source murdered Submitter's Last Name Shvartzman Submitter's First Name Khaia Relationship to Victim Sister Source Yad Vashem - Pages of Testimony Names Memorial Collection Type of material Page of Testimony Item ID 718692 Source: Page of Testimony - Yad Vashem Citation details: https://yvng.yadvashem.org/nameDetails.html?language=en&itemId=11757218&ind=1 Text: Additional records in personal file Sonia Kaminar Last Name Kaminar First Name Sonia Maiden Name Schwarzmann Gender Female Date of Birth 01/01/1910 Place of Birth Kreslawka,Daugavpils,Latgale,Latvia Father's First Name Faiwisch Mother's First Name Esther Marital Status Married Spouse's First Name Samuel Permanent Place of Residence Riga,Rigas,Vidzeme,Latvia Address of permanent residence Avotu 40-30 Citizenship Latvia Profession Housewife Place during the War Latvia Place of Death Kraslava, Daugavpils, Latgale,Latvia Date of Death 1941 Status according to Source murdered Source List of names of Jewish residents of Latvia, the result of research by the Center for Judaic Studies at the University of Latvia under the supervision of Prof. Ruvin Ferber and with the cooperation of the Latvia State Historical Archives, 2002 Type of material List of Jewish residents Item ID 11757218 Source: Kasia Dezerchov - Page of Testimony Citation details: https://yvng.yadvashem.org/nameDetails.html?language=en&itemId=800262&ind=1 Text: Last Name Kaminar Last Name Kaminer First Name Sonia Maiden Name Shvartzman Gender Female Age 46 Date of Birth 1909 Place of Birth Latvia Father's First Name Shrage Father's First Name Pavel Mother's First Name Ester Marital Status Married Spouse's First Name Shmuel Spouse's First Name Leizer Permanent Place of Residence Riga,Rigas,Vidzeme,Latvia Profession Nurse Place during the War Kraslava,Daugavpils,Latgale,Latvia Place of Death Russia (USSR) Status according to Source murdered Submitter's Last Name Dazorchev Submitter's First Name Khasia Relationship to Victim Sister Source Yad Vashem - Pages of Testimony Names Memorial Collection Type of material Page of Testimony Item ID 800262 Note: Probably murdered at Dvinsk during Provincial Aktzia, 2nd August 1941. http://www.seligman.org.il/kraslava_holocaust.html
Death of a father	Shraga Pawel SCHWARZMAN August 2, 1941 (Av 9, 5701) (Age 30 years) Dvinsk, Latvia - דבינסק, לטביה Cause: Holocaust Victim Source: Kasia Swartzman Dezerchov & Chaya Swartzman - Page of Testimony Publication: https://yvng.yadvashem.org/ Citation details: https://yvng.yadvashem.org/nameDetails.html?language=en&itemId=662911&ind=1 Text: Last Name Shwarzman Last Name* Shvartzman First Name Faivush First Name Faivush Gender Male Date of Birth 1885 Place of Birth Kreslave,Daugavpils,Latgale,Latvia Father's First Name Binush Spouse's First Name Ester Spouse's Maiden Name Rambam Permanent Place of Residence Kreslave,Daugavpils,Latgale,Latvia Place during the War Kreslave,Daugavpils,Latgale,Latvia Place of Death Dvinsk,Daugavpils,Latgale,Latvia Date of Death 1941 Status according to Source murdered Submitter's Last Name Shvartzman Submitter's First Name Khaia Relationship to Victim Daughter Source Yad Vashem - Pages of Testimony Names Memorial Collection Type of material Page of Testimony Item ID 662911 Source: Kasia Dezerchov - Page of Testimony Citation details: https://yvng.yadvashem.org/nameDetails.html?language=en&itemId=1977440&ind=1 Text: Last Name Scharzman Last Name Shvartzman First Name Pawel First Name Shraga Gender Male Date of Birth 1887 Place of Birth Latvia Father's First Name Bentzion Mother's First Name Ita Marital Status Married Spouse's First Name Ester Spouse's Maiden Name Rambam Permanent Place of Residence Latvia Profession Merchant Place during the War Kraslava,Daugavpils,Latgale,Latvia Place of Death Dvinsk,Daugavpils,Latgale,Latvia Status according to Source murdered Submitter's Last Name Dazorchev Submitter's First Name Kasia Relationship to Victim Daughter Source Yad Vashem - Pages of Testimony Names Memorial Collection Type of material Page of Testimony Item ID 1977440 Note: Probably murdered at Dvinsk during Provincial Aktzia, 2nd August 1941. http://www.seligman.org.il/kraslava_holocaust.html
Event	Holocaust Victim קורבן שואה
Death	1941 (5701) (Age 30 years) Riga, Latvia - ריגה, לטביה Cause of death: Holocaust Victim Source: Kasia Swartzman Dezerchov & Chaya Swartzman - Page of Testimony Publication: https://yvng.yadvashem.org/ Citation details: https://yvng.yadvashem.org/nameDetails.html?language=en&itemId=711051&ind=1 Text: Last Name Shwarzman Last Name Shvartzman First Name Haim First Name Khaim Gender Male Date of Birth 1911 Place of Birth Kreslave,Daugavpils,Latgale,Latvia Father's First Name Faivush Mother's First Name Ester Permanent Place of Residence Kreslave,Daugavpils,Latgale,Latvia Place during the War Kreslave,Daugavpils,Latgale,Latvia Place of Death Kreslave,Daugavpils,Latgale,Latvia Date of Death 1941 Status according to Source murdered Submitter's Last Name Shvartzman Submitter's First Name Khaia Relationship to Victim Sister Source Yad Vashem - Pages of Testimony Names Memorial Collection Type of material Page of Testimony Item ID 711051 Source: Kasia Dezerchov - Page of Testimony Citation details: https://yvng.yadvashem.org/nameDetails.html?language=en&itemId=492357&ind=1 Text: Last Name Schwarzman Last Name Scharzman Last Name Shvartzman First Name Fima First Name Khaim Gender Male Date of Birth 1911 Place of Birth Latvia Father's First Name Shraga Father's First Name Pavel Mother's First Name Ester Spouse's First Name Ester Permanent Place of Residence Riga,Rigas,Vidzeme,Latvia Profession Pharmacist Place during the War Riga,Rigas,Vidzeme,Latvia Place of Death Latvia Status according to Source murdered Submitter's Last Name Dazorchev Submitter's First Name Kasia Relationship to Victim Sister Source Yad Vashem - Pages of Testimony Names Memorial Collection Type of material Page of Testimony Item ID 492357 Note: 30th November or 8th December 1941
Burial	Riga, Latvia - קבר אחים - יער רמבולה Cemetery: Mass Grave - Rumbula Forest, Riga Note: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rumbula_massacre

Date differences

Family with parents - View this family

father	Ancestors Compact tree Descendants Family book Fan chart Hourglass chart Interactive tree Pedigree Pedigree map Relationships Family with spouse Esther RAMBAM Sonia SCHWARZMAN Fima Chaim SCHWARZMAN Chaya SCHWARZMAN Nussia Kassia SCHWARZMAN Shraga Pawel SCHWARZMAN שרגא פבל שוורצמן Birth: October 23, 1877 (Heshvan 16, 5638) — Kraslava, Russia (Latvia) Death: August 2, 1941 (Av 9, 5701) — Dvinsk, Latvia
mother	Ancestors Compact tree Descendants Family book Fan chart Hourglass chart Interactive tree Pedigree Pedigree map Relationships Family with spouse Shraga Pawel SCHWARZMAN Sonia SCHWARZMAN Fima Chaim SCHWARZMAN Chaya SCHWARZMAN Nussia Kassia SCHWARZMAN Esther RAMBAM אסתר רמב"ם Birth: May 14, 1885 (Iyar 29, 5645) 34 — Kraslava, Russia (Latvia) Death: July 1, 1941 (Tamuz 6, 5701) — Kraslava, Latvia
elder sister	Ancestors Compact tree Descendants Family book Fan chart Hourglass chart Interactive tree Pedigree Pedigree map Relationships Family with spouse Shmuel Eizer KAMINAR Moshe “Misha” KAMINAR Sonia SCHWARZMAN סוניה שרה שוורצמן Birth: 1909 (5669) 31 23 — Kraslava, Russia (Latvia) Death: August 2, 1941 (Av 9, 5701) — Dvinsk, Latvia
3 years himself	Ancestors Compact tree Descendants Family book Fan chart Hourglass chart Interactive tree Pedigree Pedigree map Relationships Family with spouse Judith KRISTAL Fima Chaim SCHWARZMAN חיים שוורצמן Birth: 1911 (5671) 33 25 — Kraslava, Russia (Latvia) Death: 1941 (5701) — Riga, Latvia
3 years younger sister	Ancestors Compact tree Descendants Family book Fan chart Hourglass chart Interactive tree Pedigree Pedigree map Relationships Chaya SCHWARZMAN חיה שוורצמן Birth: January 25, 1914 (Tevet 27, 5674) 36 28 — Kraslava, Russia (Latvia) Death: Givatayim, Israel
3 years younger sister	Ancestors Compact tree Descendants Family book Fan chart Hourglass chart Interactive tree Pedigree Pedigree map Relationships Nussia Kassia SCHWARZMAN נוסיה קסיה שוורצמן Birth: 1916 (5676) 38 30 — Kraslava, Latvia Death: Tel Aviv, Israel

Family with Judith KRISTAL - View this family

himself	Ancestors Compact tree Descendants Family book Fan chart Hourglass chart Interactive tree Pedigree Pedigree map Relationships Family with spouse Judith KRISTAL Fima Chaim SCHWARZMAN חיים שוורצמן Birth: 1911 (5671) 33 25 — Kraslava, Russia (Latvia) Death: 1941 (5701) — Riga, Latvia
wife	Ancestors Compact tree Descendants Family book Fan chart Hourglass chart Interactive tree Pedigree Pedigree map Relationships Family with spouse Fima Chaim SCHWARZMAN Judith KRISTAL יהודת קריסטל Birth: July 14, 1913 (Tamuz 9, 5673) 37 33 — Bauska, Russia (Latvia) Death: 1941 (5701) — Riga, Latvia
	Marriage: December 1, 1940 (Kislev 1, 5701) — Riga, Latvia (USSR)

Show all sources
Death	Kasia Swartzman Dezerchov & Chaya Swartzman - Page of Testimony Publication: https://yvng.yadvashem.org/ Citation details: https://yvng.yadvashem.org/nameDetails.html?language=en&itemId=711051&ind=1 Text: Last Name Shwarzman Last Name Shvartzman First Name Haim First Name Khaim Gender Male Date of Birth 1911 Place of Birth Kreslave,Daugavpils,Latgale,Latvia Father's First Name Faivush Mother's First Name Ester Permanent Place of Residence Kreslave,Daugavpils,Latgale,Latvia Place during the War Kreslave,Daugavpils,Latgale,Latvia Place of Death Kreslave,Daugavpils,Latgale,Latvia Date of Death 1941 Status according to Source murdered Submitter's Last Name Shvartzman Submitter's First Name Khaia Relationship to Victim Sister Source Yad Vashem - Pages of Testimony Names Memorial Collection Type of material Page of Testimony Item ID 711051
Death	Kasia Dezerchov - Page of Testimony Citation details: https://yvng.yadvashem.org/nameDetails.html?language=en&itemId=492357&ind=1 Text: Last Name Schwarzman Last Name Scharzman Last Name Shvartzman First Name Fima First Name Khaim Gender Male Date of Birth 1911 Place of Birth Latvia Father's First Name Shraga Father's First Name Pavel Mother's First Name Ester Spouse's First Name Ester Permanent Place of Residence Riga,Rigas,Vidzeme,Latvia Profession Pharmacist Place during the War Riga,Rigas,Vidzeme,Latvia Place of Death Latvia Status according to Source murdered Submitter's Last Name Dazorchev Submitter's First Name Kasia Relationship to Victim Sister Source Yad Vashem - Pages of Testimony Names Memorial Collection Type of material Page of Testimony Item ID 492357
Source	Kasia Dezerchov - Page of Testimony Citation details: https://yvng.yadvashem.org/nameDetails.html?language=en&itemId=492357&ind=1
Source	Jews of Latvia - Project: Names and Fate 1941-1945 Publication: List of Latvian Jews based on 1935 Latvian census. http://names.lu.lv/ Citation details: http://names.lu.lv/cgi-bin/one?lang=en&code=062234858893 Text: NAMES AND FATES 1941-1945 Family name SCHWARZMANN Maiden name Other family name Given name Haim Father Faiwusch Mother Esther Date of birth 1910 01 01 Place of birth Kreslawka Date of death 1941 Place of death Riga Prewar residence Riga War residence Riga Occupation Pharmacist Gender M Family status Married Spouse Judith Fate in 1941-1945 Killed
Source	JewishGen - All Lithuania Database Publication: http://www.jewishgen.org/databases/Lithuania/VitalRecs.htm Text: Latvia Internal Passport Issuance Books Database 1919-1941 Daugavpils, 337 20-May-1928 SVARCMANS / [SHVARTSMAN], Haim 1910 schoolboy Kraslava LVVA/5721/3/1 Image 49

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Marriage	The photo of the wedding of Chaim Swartzman and Judith Kristal in Riga in December 1940. Left to right: Misha Kaminar (son of Sonia); Sonia Swartzman-Kaminar (Chaim’s sister); Shraga & Esther Swartzman (Chaim’s parents); Judith Kristal-Swartzman and Chaim (Fima) Swartzman. At back, David & Ette Kristal (Judith's parents).
Death	30th November or 8th December 1941
Burial	http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rumbula_massacre
Note	LATVIJAS VALSTS VĒSTURES ARHĪVS Reģistrācijas Nr. 90009476367, Slokas iela 16, Rīga, LV-1048, tālr. 67613118, fakss 67612406, e-pasts vestures.arhivs@arhivi.gov.lv, www.arhivi.gov.lv To: Edward Janes 1417 Georgian Drive Moorestown, New Jersey 08057-1306 USA ARCHIVAL REFERENCE Rīgā 27.01.2017 Nr. LVVA-6.2.6./3/2017/926 On May 14 of 1910 in Bauska David Kristal married to Ette, daughter of Leizer Jacobson, born on July 20 of 1880 in Bauska (this date of birth was stated in the file of naturalization, however the birth records of the Jewish community in Bauska for 1880 do not contain information on her birth (see their marriage record). They had three children: 1. daughter Mirjam Kristal, born on June 25 (Julian calendar, Gregorian calendar – July 8) of 1911 in Dobele, 2. daughter Judith (Judis) Kristal, born on July 1 (Julian calendar, Gregorian calendar – July 14) of 1913 in Bauska, 3. son Leizer-Itzik Kristal, born on May 26 of 1919 in Bauska (see their birth records) (see their birth records). According to the census for 1935 David Kristal, his wife Ette and children: Mirjam, Judith and Leizer lived in Bauska at Veinibas (former Sudmalu) Street 18, apt. 7. From September 8 of 1939 Leizer-Itzchok (he studied at the Conservatory) and his sisters Mirjam and Judith (they worked in pharmacy as an assistant of pharmacist) lived in Riga at Baznicas Street 39, apt. 9. Previous address of Leizer-Itzchok and Mirjam – Riga, Brivibas Street 71/73, apt. 1, previous address of Judith – Bauska, Sudmalu Street 18 (see document copy). From May 6 of 1940 Leizer-Itzchok Kristal and Judith Kristal lived at Stabu Street 47, apt. 7. Presumably in December of 1940 Judith Kristal married to pharmacist Haim Schwarzman, son of Faiwusch, born on January 1 of 1910 in Kreslavka (now Kraslava). Haim graduated from the Latvian University. From December 27 of 1940 Judith and Haim lived in Riga at Matisa Street 29, apt. 1. There is a note in the house register dated on July 2 of 1941 (during Nazi occupation) that they moved, not stated where. According to the records of the Soviet Extraordinary Commission Haim and Judith Schwarzman, living in Riga at Matisa Street 29, were killed in 1941 during Nazi occupation.
Note	Facebook 21 April 2017. Jon Seligman is in Riga, Latvia. A Story for Holocaust Remembrance Day. Some months ago I was contacted by Edward Janes from New Jersey. Ed had been researching his family history and had come across some documents concerning his great aunt, Ette Jacobsohn, her husband, David Kristal of Bauska in Latvia and their daughter Judith Kristal. Ed had received a house registration form from the Latvian archives that showed that Judith had moved from lodgings with her brother, Leizer Kristal, to an apartment on 29 Matisa Street in Riga with a certain Chaim Swartzman on the 21st December 1940. Presuming that they had married, Ed then searched for records on Chaim and found that he was a pharmacist born in Kraslava in 1910. After a further search he found that I was researching the Swartzman family from Kraslava. Ed’s mail to me asked if by any chance this Chaim Swartzman may be connected to our family. I immediately replied that a Chaim Swartzman, who the family knew as Fima, had been born in Kraslava in 1910 and had moved to Riga. Chaim was my grandfather’s first cousin and appeared regularly in family photographs. It was quite clear by now that we were discussing the same person. This was the same Chaim who had moved into a new apartment with Judith Kristal in Riga. I immediately contacted Leora Eldor. Leora’s mother, Nussia Swartzman, was Chaim’s sister who had emigrated to Tel Aviv in the 1930s. Leora provided us with some pictures that had been sent by the family of the wedding of Chaim and Judith in December 1940 in Riga, showing the joyous family sitting around a festive table dressed for the occasion. She also included a letter written by Sonia, the sister of Chaim. The letter reads: “Riga, 14/2/1941 To Nussia (Chaim's sister in Tel Aviv), My dear, I received your last two postcards. Thank you for not forgetting us. I hope that my cards have already reached you. I write quite frequently, but my letters take a long time to reach you. Mother was with us for a few days, but she is always in a rush to go home (to Kraslava). We are all well. Misha (Chaim’s nephew) is a good boy and reads well. He will go to school though this year he was not accepted as he was too small. … Recently I have not been feeling well and I have a severe inflammation. Besides that everything is very good. They sewed my new grey coat, really beautiful. Here in Riga many people receive letters and photographs from Palestina. Sends us your photos too. Fima (Chaim) intends to send you pictures from the wedding, though I didn't look good in them. Regards from our new sister-in-law (Judith). She is very cute. Fima is happy, which means everything is good. She works in the office and is pleased with her work though she needs to work long hours. That's fine, everything will work out in time. Regards from Misha and Shmuel. Stay healthy and write more. Kisses, Sonia (Chaim’s sister)”. Six months after this happy wedding picture was taken the Germans occupied Riga. On the 29th July 1941 Chaim and Judith were removed from their apartment, a fact stated in the house registry, for an ‘unknown destination’, presumably the Riga Ghetto. By December, one year after the happy wedding, EVERY person in the picture had been murdered by the Nazis and their accomplices in Riga and in Kraslava. Confronted with this mutual horrific family tragedy, Ed wrote a comment that I completely identify with, “Growing up we had a box of very old photos in a closet; some not identified. After my father passed away I took some solace in my research of the family, maybe feeling a bit closer to him as I learned the details of our lineage… Over time I was able to identify them (the people in the photographs), learn of their horrific fate, understand the history that would trap them, and now I can see where they took their last steps---and who was beside them when they died. This has been a journey for me that has spanned several decades. I know now, not just their names, but of their beauty and hope; hope they clung to even as the executioner pressed against their door. They wore faces of beauty and grace as they confronted a despicable evil. I know them; their story, and am now able to document their lives to my family; they were not erased, they were not obliterated. We all now know.” These photographs, these letters and these documents map out the final months of the lives of the Kristal and Swartzman family. They give faces, set out their aspirations and restitute humanity to real people who were so pointlessly annihilated. May all their memories be blessed.