Happy years
Otto Frank and Edith Holländer are married in Aachen on May 12, 1925. After a honeymoon in Italy, they go to live in Frankfurt am Main. The year following their marriage, Otto and Edith Frank live with Otto’s mother in Frankfurt am Main.
Children
On February 16, 1926, their first daughter is born: Margot Betti. A month later, they move to 307 Marbachweg, a large house in a quiet neighborhood on the edge of the city. There are many families living in the neighborhood who have different religious beliefs: Jewish, Catholic and Protestant. Annelies Marie Frank is born on June 12, 1929 in Frankfurt am Main, Germany. Her sister Margot is then three years old.
Those years on Marbachweg were among our best times.
Edith Frank
Margot goes to school
“Margot is an angel; she had a school outing today. She is thrilled…” writes Otto Frank to his mother In June 1932. This is in the same year that Margot begins school. Otto and Edith choose a progressive public school, but they arrange for Margot to attend classes twice a week to learn about the Jewish religion.
The Neighborhood Children
Anne (3rd from the left), Margot (4th from the right), cousin Buddy lying to the left. Gertrud Naumann, barely visible behind Anne, is older and often babysits the Frank girls.
Jewish and German
The family Frank is Jewish and German. The Frank and Holländer families have lived in Germany for centuries. Otto Frank’s family has lived in Frankfurt am Main for generations. Edith’s family originates from Aachen, close to the Dutch border.
Margot with the neighbourhood kids
Margot Frank (left) with some of the neighbourhood children in Frankfurt, June 1929.