The family was Jewish but before Gotthold, who was their first child, was born they had converted from Judaism to become Protestants. Their family were not well off, for Johan Eisenstein, after serving in the Prussian army for eight years, found it hard to adjust to a steady job in civilian life.
Ang pamilya ay Hudyo ngunit bago Gotthold, na ang kanilang unang anak, ay ipinanganak sila ay iko-convert mula sa Hudaismo upang maging Protestants. Kani-kanilang mga pamilya ay hindi well off, para sa Johan Eisenstein, pagkatapos sa Pruso hukbo para sa walong taon, natagpuan ito ng husto upang ayusin sa isang tumibay trabaho sa sibilyan buhay.