United States Holocaust Memorial Museum
box 1
Fred Rosenbaum collection
Consists of photocopies of documents, photographs, maps, and correspondence documenting the family history, emigration, and adoption of Fred Rosenbaum (born Hans Frank). Includes documents related to the Dinslaken orphanage and the fate of his biological family.
Copyright Holder: Ms. Lynne Ravas
Hans Frank (later Fred Rosenbaum) was born on April 4, 1932 in Lambertheim Germany to a single mother, Selma Irmgard Erika Frank. Selma was born in Altenglan in 1904 to Moritz and Berta (nee Suess) Frank. She had two sons; Werner (b. November 10, 1929) and Hans. As his mother could not care for two children, she placed her younger son, Hans, in an orphanage. At first he lived in the Neu-Isenburg orphanage, later, the Dinslaken Jewish orphanage. A few years later, a Jewish couple in the Bronx began adoption procedures for Hans. They had a daughter, but had lost their son at birth and wanted a boy. The adoption process lagged, and Hans was still at the Dinslaken orphanage when it was attacked on Kristallnacht. Hans left Germany for the United States on April 5, 1939 and was formally adopted by Bernard and Francie Rosenbaum. He was given the name"Fred Rosenbaum" Bernard was a CPA and Francie had been a teacher before she married. Hans' birth mother, Selma Frank, perished in Ravensbrück on March 23, 1942 and his biological brother, Werner, was transported to Auschwitz on February 26, 1942, where he presumably perished.