Maria (Micike) Janka Franco

Note: In 1930 Maria signed a contract with the Follies to dance and went to Italy. She performed in New York in 1936 or 1937 at the French Casino on 7th Ave. at 50th St, as well as in London, France, Rome, and Vienna. They had two homes in Capri, Italy and an apartment in Naples. The family had lost everything and they had to leave Capri for fear of losing their lives. They moved to Milano, Italy where Maria wanted to open a jewellerystore. In the 1960's they lost everything; but a friend in Milano offered them his apartment at a good price, which is where she lived. Families name in Hungary was Deutsch. She did not know if Leopold had any brothers. Maria spoke 5 languages: Italian, German, English, French and Hungarian. She learned English during 15 years that she operated her jewellery store in Capri. Many of her customers were English. She tried to reclaim her family’s property in Vienna, but the Austrian government would not take Italian Lira and her brother did not want to send US $'s. The Austrian government was very uncooperative in her efforts to reclaim the property. The Dömeny family in Vienna was quite wealthy, but they lost everything due to the war. After her parents divorced, Maria would go over to the family house on Sunday's for dinner, as Matilda liked Maria