ViewMate - Image Archive, Image 115645 - Translation - Tombstone - Germany - Herschberg


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Information

Picture

Question

Category: Translation - Tombstone
Approval Date: 10/21/2026 4:01 PM
Family Surname: FRANK
Country: Germany
Town: Herschberg

Click the picture to enlarge

Please translate this weathered Hebrew gravestone from the Jewish cemetery in Herschberg, Pfalz, Germany (JOWBR record J_GERMANY_0026123, Section B, Row 2, stone 4). The index gives the surname Frank, death 26 Nisan 5599 (April 1839), and husband Mordechai. I'm especially hoping for her given name, her father's name, her husband's full name, and any sign of Levite or Kohen status. Family tradition names a Mordechai Frank and wife Pauline as early ancestors. Thank you!

Response

10/21/2026 6:04 PM

Here is interred

the modest woman, a woman of valor, daughter of Reb

Yankele, wife of __ Mordechai

Frank from Eschweiler, who passed away

on the fourth day, the 26th of Nisan 5599

and was buried on the following day

May her soul be bound up in the bond of life.
==============================================
I'm afraid that her name does not seem to be included on the stone.

Her father's name, Yankele, is a bit unusual for German Jews. It is, of course, a Yiddish derivation of the Hebrew Yaakov (Jacob).

Her husband's name, Mordechai, is preceded by one letter that looks like a Tzadi. I have no idea what it might represent.

The "fourth day" refers to the day of the Jewish week: between sunset on Tuesday and sunset on Wednesday. The corresponding secular date was April 9th/10th, 1839.

I do not see any reference to anyone having been a Cohen or a Levite.

10/22/2026 1:28 AM

Hello,

I mentioned to my son about this unusual headstone, he googled "Mordechai Frank wife died 1839" and found this page:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/tracingthetribe/posts/10159706914720747/

Are you aware of it?

Someone responded with both the Hebrew and a translation. According to him, her name was Hendla.

I have two issues with his excellent work: 1) He reads the abbreviation at the end of the first line, which I read as "woman of valor, daughter of Reb" as "wife of a Chaver". Although "Chaver" is a known honorary title among male German Jews, I've never seen a woman identified as the wife of a Chaver; the wording is also awkward. 2) Try as I might, I cannot see the "H" (letter Hay) at the beginning of what might otherwise be read as Hendele (and which I had read as Yankele). There is a "curtain" of stone wrapped around the top, and there is a very small amount of space for the letter Hay.

However, I could be wrong, and perhaps the Facebook page reading is the more accurate and could help you break through.

If that reading is correct, then her name appears, as it should, but the lack of a father's name is unusual.

ViewMate Posting VM 115645

Submitted by Bill Goldberg

Learn more about our organizational leadership, mission, and values. There are numerous opportunities to get involved yourself!

Search millions of records from around the globe, including more than 4 million records related to the Holocaust, and more than 4.2 million burial records. Records are continually added each month - check back often for new information!

Discover your ancestral town, explore geographic/regional based sections of the JewishGen site (Research Divisions), and explore what daily life was like for your ancestors - and what we can learn from them today.

Enhance your research with online classes and dozens of helpful articles. University students can apply for the Bennett & Robin Greenspan L'dor V'dor Legacy Program, and those "out of school" can help preserve Jewish Heritage in Poland with unique study & volunteer experiences.

Connect with tens of thousands of other JewishGen members via the Family Finder, Discussion Group, Facebook Group, and ViewMate. It's a great way to share success, ask questions, and stay informed of the happenings throughout the Jewish genealogical community.

The JewishGen site is offered as a free public resource. However, it costs a lot of money to maintain and expand our services. If you are in a position to do so, please consider a contribution today - your support will make a difference!

ViewMate Posting VM 115645

Submitted by Bill Goldberg