on 4 april 1887, his sister frieda was born (died 8 july 1967 hamburg). in march 1892, thälmann's parents were convicted and sentenced to two years in prison, because they had bought stolen goods or had taken them for debt payment. thälmann and his younger sister frieda were separated and placed for care in different families. thälmann's parents were released early; his mother in may, and his father in october 1893. his parents' offense would be used 36 years later in the campaign against ernst thälmann.