Anna Elisabeth Michaelis was born in Berlin on February 12, 1888, the daughter of Reinhard and Rosa Michaelis, both parents were Jews. She married the judge Dr. Martin Matzdorf, the first daughter Eva Liesbet Rosa Viktoria was born on December 24, 1914 in Berlin, the second daughter Hilda Amalie Marianne Gertie was born on August 25, 1920 in Guben. In 1926 her husband was transferred to Berlin, which pleased Anna Elisabeth Matzdorf in particular, because her parents lived in Berlin.

Helene Pniower was born as the second oldest child of the district judge Fedor Moritz Pniower and his wife Ida née Abel on September 4, 1875 in Breslau.