Alois Hitler (1837

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Biography

Alois Hitler was an Austrian civil servant in the customs service and the father of Adolf Hitler, dictator of Nazi Germany.

Timeline

The story of Alois Hitler, told in moments.

1837 Birth

Born Alois Schicklgruber in Strones, Austria. His mother was unmarried. The identity of his biological father was never confirmed. He grew up poor in rural Lower Austria.

Did growing up as Alois Schicklgruber without knowing your father shape you? Was rural Lower Austria's poverty the beginning of everything?

1876 Event

Changed his surname from Schicklgruber to Hitler, claiming his deceased stepfather Johann Georg Hiedler as his real father. The name change required persuading a local priest to alter the parish records.

Was changing your surname from Schicklgruber to Hitler about identity or legitimacy? Did persuading a priest to alter parish records trouble you?

1895 Event

Retired from Austrian customs service after 40 years. Married three times. His third wife, Klara, was either his first cousin once removed or his half-niece. They had six children. Four died in infancy.

Did marrying your cousin or half-niece feel normal for the time? Does losing four of six children in infancy haunt you?

1903 Death

Died of a pleural hemorrhage at 65 in Leonding, Austria. His surviving son Adolf was 13.

At sixty-five, with your surviving son Adolf at thirteen, did you see what was coming? Was forty years in customs service the life you wanted?

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