Collection ID: MG 50

Collection context

Summary

Abstract:
The collection includes an extensive genealogical study of the Falk, Herschowitz and Rosenfeld families done by Louise Marwill. The study follows the family from Germany to Albany and is comprised of families stories and photographs. There is an extensive section on the family escaping Germany during the Holocaust which includes Kathe Mueller Slonim’s first hand account of what she witnessed in Germany and letters written by Gottlieb Rosenfeld about what he witnessed in Frankfurt and his desperation to get his family safely to the United States. There is a small collection of post cards sent by Henry Perle during World War II. There are several pieces of school material for Louise Marwill including school programs, certificates and photographs. There is also material from Louise’s marriage to Lawrence Marwill on June 19, 1960.
Extent:
3 boxes
Language:
English

Background

Scope and Content:

There is extensive genealogical material compiled by Louise Marwill in the collection. It is a collection of family stories and photographs tracing the family from Germany and Russia. There are letters and personal essays written by Holocaust survivors, post cards from World War II, Louise’s school certificates and photographs from Albany High School 1953-1955, newspaper articles about Albany in the 1950’s, photographs and documents from Lawrence and Louise’s wedding in 1960, photographs and newspaper articles about the grand opening of a new Breslaw Bros. Furniture Store in 1948, photographs, programs and newspaper articles about Lawrence Marwill graduating from Albany Boys Academy.

Biographical / Historical:

Julius and Minnie Falk moved to the United States from Germany. Once in Albany, they met in a millinery and married. After prohibition ended, they obtained a liquor license and opened Madison Liquor and Wine. The first location of Madison Liquor and Wine was at 1060 Madison Avenue from 1933 to 1942. A building with a store front and two apartments was purchased at 1078 Madison Avenue. The store front was the new location for the Madison Liquor and Wine. The apartments upstairs were rented out. The first apartment housed family members Adolf and Betty Mueller and their three year old daughter Kathe. Julius Falk helped the family escape Germany during the Holocaust. The second apartment was rented to another German Jewish family. Julius and Minnie had one child, Louise Bertha Marwill (Falk) on April 6, 1937 who married Lawrence Marwill on June 19, 1960.

There are also documents and photographs about the Breslaw Furniture store opening in 1948. Samuel and Jacob Breslaw opened Breslaw Bros. in 1907 as a small stove store at the Glen Falls Post Company at 80 Glen Street. The store moved to 65 Glen Street until August 8, 1935. The Breslaw Bros. branches out into other lines of household furnishings so a bigger building was acquired. In 1948, Breslaw Bros. was housed in a five story building located at 333 River Street. In 1921, Breslaw turned into a chain store with a location opened in Saratoga Springs. The business expanded further with stores in Schenectady in 1924, Albany in 1930, Amsterdam in 1934 and Cohoes in 1937.

Acquisition information:
Accession: # 2006.80, 2006.99, 2009.20, 2010.202 Accession Source/Date: Gift of Louise Marwill, 2006-2010
Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: a Content Standard

Access

RESTRICTIONS:

This collection is open for research according to the regulations of the Albany Institute of History & Art without any additional restrictions.

TERMS OF ACCESS:

The researcher assumes full responsibility for conforming with the laws of copyright. Whenever possible, the Albany Institute of History & Art Library will provide information about copyright owners and other restrictions, but the legal determination ultimately rests with the researcher. Requests for permission to publish material from this collection should be discussed with the Archivist/Librarian.

LOCATION OF THIS COLLECTION:
125 Washington Ave
Albany, NY 12210, United States
BEFORE YOU VISIT:
https://www.albanyinstitute.org/library.html
CONTACT:
mccombsd@albanyInstitute.org