Jack Lorch's
Travel Map

1911

Jack Lorch was born in Dieburg, Germany.

1928

Jack Lorch was written up in the papers for being the youngest German radio amateur. Jack and his friends spent time at each other’s homes; however, Jack did not eat in his friends’ homes because they were not kosher.

1930

Jack graduated from school and attended Frankfurt University. Despite the fact that nothing directly had been done to him, he felt that there was something different in the air.

1934

Jack graduated from Frankfurt University and began working at his uncle’s shirt factory in Duisburg, Germany. While living in Duisburg, he rented an apartment from his friend, who was also a Nazi. Despite his friend’s pleadings that he leave Germany, Jack remained for a time, afraid to leave his secure job. Finally convinced that he must leave, Jack attempted to get an affidavit from his second cousin, who had moved to America in the 1920's, and lived in Staten Island, New York.

1938

Jack left Germany and joined his cousin in New York

1938

December: Jack found a job in a garment factory and moved to Natchez, Mississippi

1939

May 27: Jack’s parents and 209 other Jews sailed on the steamship Orinoco from Hamburg to Cuba, via Antwerp. When the Cuban Immigration Department declared their visas invalid, they returned to Europe where their passports were confiscated, they were referred to the state police bureau, and were then forced to remain in Hamburg. Jack moved back to New York to open a shirt factory with two other men he knew.

1940

Jack’s parents finally made it to the United States; Jack paid for their rent in New York so they would have a place to sleep. Jack opened another shirt factory in Petersburg, Virginia.

1942

Jack bought a small factory in Liberty, Tennessee and moved to Nashville, Tennessee.

1943

Jack married Frieda in New York City.

1964

Jack and Frieda moved to Petersburg, Virginia.

1998

May 9: Jack Lorch died at the age of 85 in Nashville, Tennessee.