Houdini at an early age

Harry Houdini was born with the real name Ehrich Weiss.   He was born on March 24, 1874 in Budapest Hungary.  To Samuel & Cecilia Weiss.  Although Harry often claimed to be born in Appleton, Wisconsin.  Houdini actually came to the United States when he was four years old.  Harry's father was Mayer Samuel Weiss.  Houdini's father was a Rabbi.  His father for a short time was a Rabbi for the German Zoin Jewish Congregation in Appleton.  While growing up he learned English along with his brother.  He still needed to speak Yiddish, Hungarian, & German seeing how both of his parents only spoke those languages.  When Harry was eight he sold newspapers and worked as a shoe shine boy.  At age 12 Harry started moving around the country with his brother.  He sent money home to help his poor family.  At the age of 13 he settled down and stayed in New York City.  His father died when he was 18 on October 5, 1892.  Living in New York gave him an array of jobs.  Here is were he first started to learn about Magic.

Samuel Weiss            Cecilia Weiss     Harry at 15             Harry at 16         Harry at 17