Photograph of an apartment building in Vienna
Object numberM2025/088:006
TitlePhotograph of an apartment building in Vienna
DescriptionPhotograph of the apartment building where the Geiringer family lived in Vienna.
Walter Geiringer (aka Valter) was born on 26 October 1909, in Vienna. He was the child of Rosa Geiringer and had two half-sisters; Hedwig and Hedi.
Walter attended secondary school in Vienna and completed four terms at the Austrian National Institute of Chemistry. In the years between 1909 – 1939 he had become a Czechoslovak citizen, lived in Yugoslavia and multi-lingual—apart from speaking his native German he was proficient in English, French, Slovakian and spoke some Italian and Spanish. In 1939, he had worked as a manufacturing chemist and colour specialist for leading textile companies in Czechoslovakia, France, Austria and Yugoslavia. He now had to leave his job in Yugoslavia, due to his inability to renew his work permit. As a Jew, he was unable to return to the country of his birth. He had no option but to look for employment further afield but his job applications were repeatedly rejected.
Walter cast his net to Australia, a decision was easier since his sister, Hedwig organised a Landing Permit for him. Walter arrived on one of Lloyd Triestino’s boats—the Romoloa, disembarking in Sydney on 26 April 1940. Six months after his arrival Hedi died on 10 November 1940.
After the war ended Walter tried to find his mother—Rosa Geiringer. He continued to search for her whereabouts through the British Red Cross. The Red Cross’ reply of 12 May 1946 informed Walter that a previous search had already been initiated in 1945 and had found that Rosa had been deported from Vienna to Terezin. They assured him that they would undertake further enquiries. Their letter of 28 August 1946 informed him that they had located a Mme Rosa Geiringer—a refugee—however her details were not identical to his mother’s. According to Walter’s letter of 12 September 1946, “Unfortunately, the Mme Rosa Geiringer you are mentioning is not identical with my mother, nor is she a relative of ours”. Their final letter of the 26 August 1947 informed him that the Austrian Red Cross in Vienna had determined that Rosa Geiringer had been deported to Terezin and then to Auschwitz on 6 September 1943, where she was murdered.
Walter Geiringer (aka Valter) was born on 26 October 1909, in Vienna. He was the child of Rosa Geiringer and had two half-sisters; Hedwig and Hedi.
Walter attended secondary school in Vienna and completed four terms at the Austrian National Institute of Chemistry. In the years between 1909 – 1939 he had become a Czechoslovak citizen, lived in Yugoslavia and multi-lingual—apart from speaking his native German he was proficient in English, French, Slovakian and spoke some Italian and Spanish. In 1939, he had worked as a manufacturing chemist and colour specialist for leading textile companies in Czechoslovakia, France, Austria and Yugoslavia. He now had to leave his job in Yugoslavia, due to his inability to renew his work permit. As a Jew, he was unable to return to the country of his birth. He had no option but to look for employment further afield but his job applications were repeatedly rejected.
Walter cast his net to Australia, a decision was easier since his sister, Hedwig organised a Landing Permit for him. Walter arrived on one of Lloyd Triestino’s boats—the Romoloa, disembarking in Sydney on 26 April 1940. Six months after his arrival Hedi died on 10 November 1940.
After the war ended Walter tried to find his mother—Rosa Geiringer. He continued to search for her whereabouts through the British Red Cross. The Red Cross’ reply of 12 May 1946 informed Walter that a previous search had already been initiated in 1945 and had found that Rosa had been deported from Vienna to Terezin. They assured him that they would undertake further enquiries. Their letter of 28 August 1946 informed him that they had located a Mme Rosa Geiringer—a refugee—however her details were not identical to his mother’s. According to Walter’s letter of 12 September 1946, “Unfortunately, the Mme Rosa Geiringer you are mentioning is not identical with my mother, nor is she a relative of ours”. Their final letter of the 26 August 1947 informed him that the Austrian Red Cross in Vienna had determined that Rosa Geiringer had been deported to Terezin and then to Auschwitz on 6 September 1943, where she was murdered.
Production placeVienna, Austria
Production date 1930 - 1939
Subjectachievers, escape, immigration, textile manufacturing, homes
Object namephotographs
Materialpaper
Dimensions
Language
- German
Credit lineSydney Jewish Museum collection, donated by David Ellison.
In appreciation to the Conference on Jewish Material Claims Against Germany (Claims Conference) for supporting this archival project.