Maxime and Miryam Seyffers

Berthe Krellstein, born in Bochum, Germany, in 1894, emigrated to Belgium with her parents when she was only three. In 1942 she was living in Saint Gilles, Brussels. Later on, she was accommodated in the Jewish home in Rue de la Glacière, and she escaped deportation. Her family was not so lucky. Maxime and Miryam Seyffers were both born in Brussels, respectively in 1929 and 1931. Their parents had also been born in the capital, the father, Léon Seyffers, in Anderlecht, in 1895, and his wife, Sara Krellstein, in 1899. All had the Belgian nationality. They lived at Rue de la Régence, in a district known for its art dealers. Here, Léon Seyffers earned a living as an antiques dealer specialising in paintings. Sara Krellstein kept the house and looked after their two children. Maxime Seyffers attended the Athénée Robert Catteau until the Germans banned Jews from going to non-Jewish schools.

Following their arrest in June 1944, the family was taken to the Dossin Barracks on 21 June, and were immediately put down for Transport 26, the last transport from Belgium. Deported on 31 July, Léon Seyffers, 58, Sara Krellstein, 44, their son, Maxime, 14, and their daughter, Miryam, 13, we lose sight of them as they get out of the train at Birkenau. We can only guess at the circumstances of their deaths.