Catalogue description FAMILY PHOTOGRAPHS RELATED TO MRS L. GOMPERTZ

Gompertz, L, Mrs, fl 1983, of Birmingham

• Stern family of Birmingham

The donor's grandfather, Moritz Stern, came from Munich. He was born 1833, the son of Marcus (1797-1869) and Flora Stern (1800-1858). Moritz Stern came to Birmingham in 1851 as a clerk to John Benson and Co., of Edmund Street. Later he set up in business as an export merchant with an office in Edmund Street.

Moritz Stern went back to Munich to get married to Fanny Schwartz (born in 1845) on June 28th, 1866. They had 7 children: Arthur (born May 1867), Florence (1868), Rose (1869), James and Marcus (twins born Feburary 1872), Helen (1873) and Daisy (January 1876).

At the age of 80 Moritz Stern wrote his memoirs. He lived at 241, Bristol Road, Birmingham.

Arthur Stern married Grace Falck (born 1875) and they had 7 children: Ruth (1900), Lucy (1902), David (1903), Edward (1905), Constance (1906), Margaret (1909) and Babette (1911). Arthur Stern and family lived in High Street, Burton-on-Trent where Arthur was the main chemist (Chief brewer) for Bass's Brewery. Being of German birth he was dismissed during World War I, and paid compensation for the loss of his job by the brewery.

The donor's father James Stern, married Mabel Moses (born London, 5th December 1880). They had 4 children: Lily (the donor - born 1908), Gladice (1911), Hilda (1913) and Lawrence (1917). James Stern became a partner in his father's business. James Stern and family lived at a house in Balsall Heath Road, Birmingham prior to 1921, when they moved to a house in Bristol Road. Moritz Stern owned the Balsall Heath Road house.

The donor's maternal grandfather, Richard Moses was a diamond merchant of Kensington, London. The donor's mother went to the City of London Girls' School.

Marcus Stern married Ettie Abrahams (born 1883) in 1904. Their children are: Herbert (born 1909) and Frederick (born 1912).

Helen (Nellie) Stern went to a horticultural college at Studley, but did not take up horticulture as an occupation.

Rose Stern became 2nd Mistress of the North London Collegiate (school); she was a scientist.

Daisy Stern stayed at home looking after her parents.