Letter from Otto Herrmann to Inge Herrmann on 7 September 1938
Object numberM2020/023:052
TitleLetter from Otto Herrmann to Inge Herrmann on 7 September 1938
Creator Otto Herrmann
DescriptionLetter from Otto Herrmann to his daughter Inge on 7 September 1938 while Inge was traveling from Germany to Australia via England on the SS Oronsay. Otto thanks his daughter for the many letters she seems to have sent him and his wife after their last letter. He asks about Inge's wellbeing and sends advice for her conduct upon the ship. Otto states that he and Inge's mother Regina are well, but it is "better not to write" about other difficult matters.
There is an associated letter from Regina Herrmann on the same date (M2020/023:051).
Part of a collection of over 60 letters to Inge-Ruth Poppert (nee Herrmann) from 1937 to 1957, as well as memorabilia and personal documents that detail the Holocaust experiences of the Herrmann family, and the establishment Inge's life in Sydney, Australia.
Inge was born on 12 October 1922 in Wolmirstedt, near Magdeburg, Germany to Otto and Kate-Regina Herrmann (nee Manneberg). Inge lived in Wolmirstedt, but attended school in Madgeburg from 1933. The family relocated to the city of Magdeburg in 1935 where Otto owned two shops. Due to anti-Semitism and anti-Jewish legislation, Otto had lost his clothing business in Wolmirstedt. However, from 1937 with the increasing Aryanisation of Jewish assets and property, the Herrmann family again forcibly lost their remaining businesses and way of life.
Despite the worsening risk to all Jews in Germany, Inge's parents initially resisted emigration, though in 1937 they decided that their daughter should leave. Inge was approved to go to Australia after being assessed in Berlin. She arrived in Sydney via London in September 1938.
Otto and Regina lived in increasing poverty and anxiety. Otto was arrested in 1938 and sent to Buchenwald for a brief period before being released. In October 1942 they were deported to Theresienstadt. Inge received no sign of life from her parents from 1944 and only learned years after the war that they were deported to Auschwitz in October 1944 where they were murdered.
There is an associated letter from Regina Herrmann on the same date (M2020/023:051).
Part of a collection of over 60 letters to Inge-Ruth Poppert (nee Herrmann) from 1937 to 1957, as well as memorabilia and personal documents that detail the Holocaust experiences of the Herrmann family, and the establishment Inge's life in Sydney, Australia.
Inge was born on 12 October 1922 in Wolmirstedt, near Magdeburg, Germany to Otto and Kate-Regina Herrmann (nee Manneberg). Inge lived in Wolmirstedt, but attended school in Madgeburg from 1933. The family relocated to the city of Magdeburg in 1935 where Otto owned two shops. Due to anti-Semitism and anti-Jewish legislation, Otto had lost his clothing business in Wolmirstedt. However, from 1937 with the increasing Aryanisation of Jewish assets and property, the Herrmann family again forcibly lost their remaining businesses and way of life.
Despite the worsening risk to all Jews in Germany, Inge's parents initially resisted emigration, though in 1937 they decided that their daughter should leave. Inge was approved to go to Australia after being assessed in Berlin. She arrived in Sydney via London in September 1938.
Otto and Regina lived in increasing poverty and anxiety. Otto was arrested in 1938 and sent to Buchenwald for a brief period before being released. In October 1942 they were deported to Theresienstadt. Inge received no sign of life from her parents from 1944 and only learned years after the war that they were deported to Auschwitz in October 1944 where they were murdered.
Production placeGermany
Production date 1938-09-07
Object nameletters
Materialpaper
Dimensions
- width: 205.00 mm
height: 285.00 mm
Language
- German Magdeburg 7.9.38
My dearly beloved little Inge!
We received your airmail letter of 6 September sent from Naples and our joy was great to have news from you so quickly and we are mostly glad that you are feeling so well. In the meantime you would have received the airmail letter we had sent to Naples. Yesterday Arthur Stein and his wife had visited us and we handed them your postcard ceremonially and you can imagine how much joy they felt. Uncle ? H ? and the Wandrows also thank you for your news. They were also delighted.
This afternoon I shall go to Buckau to do the accounts because Granddad is confined to/in bed. Mrs. Janko came to the shop yesterday, they had received 2 letters and a card in the same delivery on Monday from Gisela, while we enjoyed having mail daily for 3 days, Sunday, Monday and Tuesday, which was much more enjoyable. My dear child, continue to be a good girl, then you will succeed in life, we are glad that you are keeping company with grown-ups, these people know how hard it is to make a living in these times, and therefore don't spend it as readily as some do. This morning Mum met with Mrs. Janko at Mrs. Lilie's, who was overjoyed when Mum read her the letter where you said how well you could cope with the English language. Mrs. J has enrolled Gunter with Mrs. Lilie; he has discontinued with your girlfriend. Please send us a photo of the steamer and also a menu, even if it is in English. And then tell us what you really eat and one more thing, do not dance too much, above everything you have to take care to get sufficient sleep, because you have to consider that you are still growing and therefore need plenty of sleep. Mum has passed on all the regards as you requested and has delighted everybody thus, well, she will write about that herself. As far as health is concerned we are, thank God, well and to write about other matters it is better not to write about them(*). Do you receive a newspaper on board? Gisela wrote that her suitcase had been broken into and things stolen. Hopefully she reported it at once. Mrs. J said it was a brand new suitcase which was probably bought by Mr. J. You can be happy to travel with such nice decent people, try to continue to be nice to them and I send my regards. I was going to ask a few things, but now I have forgotten them again, I shall make some notes for next time, so I wont forget. Old Mr. Herzberg had been here and he said that his daughter in London had written that you had not been to see her, what did you do with the letter you had been given, didn't you see/visit anybody, please, do answer these questions(**). Gisela always writes on a typewriter, she knows how to, she learnt it in the business/shop. Mum will be here shortly after our meal, so I will finish, we had "Lungenmuss" [lit. stew of lung]. Yesterday Mrs. Dr. Wilde came with her mother to the shop, they purchased a lot, tell me, did you send off the cards, which Dr. W. had ordered and for which he had given you the money for the postage. Today I bought airmail writing paper, I still have to get used to it, it is a bit odd, it is easier to read if you put a piece of paper underneath it. Now, my beloved child, all the best and keep well, this wishes your father with all his heart, now many cordial greetings and many kisses, with love, your Daddy.
Credit lineSydney Jewish Museum Collection, Donated by Kim Poppert
In appreciation to the Conference on Jewish Material Claims Against Germany (Claims Conference) for supporting this archival project.