Object numberM2020/040:005
DescriptionLetters from Karolina Sonnenfeld in Vienna to her daughter Elsa Strauss in England in May 1939. Elsa and her daughter Hetty had immigrated to London in March of that year. Karolina wrote often to her family; usually every second day. The letters give insight into her loneliness and the increasing persecution and restrictions for Jews in Austria.
Part of a collection of 71 letters and postcards, a diary and driver's license relating to Henrietta (Hetty) Hardy (nee Strauss), her mother Elsa Strauss (nee Sonnenfeld) and her grandmother Karolina Sonnenfeld (nee Löwy).
Hetty was born 21 April 1920 in Vienna. They family lived in an apartment in the city but owned a large farm about 25km away. When her father Jacob died of heart failure in 1929, they moved into her maternal grandmother's apartment, so Karolina could look after Hetty while Elsa worked at the farm. They lived there for six years; the three women were incredibly close.
After the Anschluss in March 1938, Elsa was stripped of her ownership of the farm. Hetty eventually received a domestic permit to live in England and immigrated at the beginning of March 1939. She worked as an au pair in Sussex. Hetty was considered a 'friendly alien' – her father was born in Czechoslovakia and as a result she had attained a Czech passport. Elsa was torn between following her daughter and staying to support her mother, but at the urging of family she soon followed Hetty at the end of March 1939.
Almost immediately after arriving, Elsa met Edward Bingham, a retired farmer who travelled frequently between England and New Zealand. Elsa and Edward married in April 1939, which was a marriage of convenience and compassion. Edward allowed Elsa to receive British citizenship and save her farm in Vienna, which became foreign owned. He also enabled Elsa and Hetty to attain a permit for New Zealand, and they left in August 1940. Edward soon moved back to England and their marriage was dissolved.
Hetty and Else remained in frequent contact with Karolina throughout 1939-1940, however their letters mostly ceased at the onset of war. Both Elsa and her brother Richard, who was living in Venezuela, tried to get a visa for Karolina but were unsuccessful. On 23 October 1941 she was deported to Lodz ghetto. In 1942 she was deported to a concentration camp where she was murdered. The family never learned the details of her fate, and always felt a lack of closure.
While on vacation in Australia in December 1947, Hetty met Nathan Hardy, soon became engaged, and married in April 1948 in Sydney.
Part of a collection of 71 letters and postcards, a diary and driver's license relating to Henrietta (Hetty) Hardy (nee Strauss), her mother Elsa Strauss (nee Sonnenfeld) and her grandmother Karolina Sonnenfeld (nee Löwy).
Hetty was born 21 April 1920 in Vienna. They family lived in an apartment in the city but owned a large farm about 25km away. When her father Jacob died of heart failure in 1929, they moved into her maternal grandmother's apartment, so Karolina could look after Hetty while Elsa worked at the farm. They lived there for six years; the three women were incredibly close.
After the Anschluss in March 1938, Elsa was stripped of her ownership of the farm. Hetty eventually received a domestic permit to live in England and immigrated at the beginning of March 1939. She worked as an au pair in Sussex. Hetty was considered a 'friendly alien' – her father was born in Czechoslovakia and as a result she had attained a Czech passport. Elsa was torn between following her daughter and staying to support her mother, but at the urging of family she soon followed Hetty at the end of March 1939.
Almost immediately after arriving, Elsa met Edward Bingham, a retired farmer who travelled frequently between England and New Zealand. Elsa and Edward married in April 1939, which was a marriage of convenience and compassion. Edward allowed Elsa to receive British citizenship and save her farm in Vienna, which became foreign owned. He also enabled Elsa and Hetty to attain a permit for New Zealand, and they left in August 1940. Edward soon moved back to England and their marriage was dissolved.
Hetty and Else remained in frequent contact with Karolina throughout 1939-1940, however their letters mostly ceased at the onset of war. Both Elsa and her brother Richard, who was living in Venezuela, tried to get a visa for Karolina but were unsuccessful. On 23 October 1941 she was deported to Lodz ghetto. In 1942 she was deported to a concentration camp where she was murdered. The family never learned the details of her fate, and always felt a lack of closure.
While on vacation in Australia in December 1947, Hetty met Nathan Hardy, soon became engaged, and married in April 1948 in Sydney.
Subjectloved ones' contact, escape pre-war, families, immigration
Object nameletters
Materialpaper
Language
- German M2020/040:005a
A letter from Karolina, Vienna, to her daughter Else and her granddaughter Hetty, 2 May 1939
Karolina wrote about the receipt of three letters, two from her girls [Else and Hetty] and one from Richard. She wanted to send Else two dresses and swimwear. “Everything has been granted, but all the subarticles have been crossed out.” [Regarding to the post and sending parcels?] She pointed out that she sent Else expensive brand products and when she doesn’t want to bath Hetty, she could also sell it.
Karolina had an appointment at the notary to legalise the form and to grant the land register extract. She also reminded her daughter, that she forget the letter of attorney.
She had the desire to visit Marianske Lazne together with her child, Else, and Edward.
She complained again about the difficulties of buying food and described her day routine: “So I eat a dish at the restaurant at lunch time and I am very satisfied and then I am free in the morning for interviews. In the afternoon, I am normally busy with my knitting and my friends from the Konstantinhuegel.”
She was thinking about sending Richard money with express delivery.
A letter from a second writer, presumably Karolina’s friend or partner, is further below her writing. He informed Else that he and Karolina are planning to go to the lawyer tomorrow. He also wrote about Karolina’s good condition and she is optimistic.
M2020/040:005b A letter from Karolina, Vienna, to Elsa and Edward, England, 4 May 1939.
She wrote about confirming different certificates, and some documents which still needed confirmation by the German consul. She also mentioned the power of attorney for her daughter and asked her to send it to Vienna. The mother informed her daughter about the important and necessary documents, like visa and residence confirmed by the German consulate, permit for emigration. She wrote Richard.
M2020/040:005c A letter from Karolina to her daughter Else, London, 10 May 1939
Karolina was pleased to read that Else feels comfortable in her new apartment and she asked Else to let her know anything about her new life in London.
As she received Else’s power of attorney she went to the lawyer yesterday. He said the document is not like required, but maybe it will work out anyway. He will translate the documents into English. Karolina gave insights of her daily routine. She was very busy with paper work due to the attempt of her emigration.
A friend of Karolina, wanted to sell all his chickens for a very low price, 1 ½ to 2 MK and she was thinking to buy one.
Karolina got a call from Lili, who was waiting for Else to help her but is now very pessimistic, because Else didn’t respond. Lili failed with her boys too, related to get a permit for England.
She mentioned something about a registration for Mr. or Ms. Stern.
Lily Stern [presumably the same Lili/Lily, although different spelling] visited Karolina in order to ask, if Else could help her.
M2020/040:005d A letter from Karolina to her daughter Else, London, 16 May 1939
Karolina wrote worriedly, she hasn’t received money from Ing. She will wait for a few days and then she will ask her lawyer, what he could do.
[English written part on the back]
My dear children, I am ever so glad to have good news from you and thank you so much for your kind letter. I try very hard to study English but every beginning is difficult you know. I laughed about dear Edward thoughts but I promise you, that I never shall be jealous, on the contrary I am so glad to learn that you and Else feel so happy. Many loves and kisses, you most, mother.
M2020/040:005e 17 May 1939
M2020/040:005f 19 May 1939
My dear children… dear Edward, received your dear letter, thanking you for your telegrams… much concerned… 4 letters… 5 letters… thank God, keeping well… Chef in London… Consulate… joint consultation… will ring up Monday or Tuesday… am already curious… Richard… sent on telegrams… confirming that not received… radio… Rei street… to get the money back… to go back on Monday… Richard… nice new shirts… pullover… on leave… no news… is already finished… I am curious… it’s Friday evening… post your letter… Many kisses dear Edward… Mama
M2020/040:005g 24 May 1939 (on occasion of Elsa’s birthday)
My dear children. Got your nice letter yesterday although two of my letters are on the way… got a longing… your birthday… having no luck to talk to you… praying to dear god… it’s my aim… overcome(?) everything… yesterday… the younger one… told about… Lotte and Hetti… writes every… not only to me… please dear… don’t make any E… Oskar is coming Tuesday… will bring your… and hoping your pullover… Lotte’s dress… Lotte should not… connect(?) with Oskar… young girls… Oskar not quite in order with the lungs… bleeding with the lung… sent 1kg… money for salami… phoned K… 10 days in London… Consulate… no permission… to represent… writing from Oslo… Have forgotten to write to you… Monday I will start to… the winter… I have every third Friday the domestic help… who should… the flat…Have not heard from dear Richard… registration from US… confirmation… I am curious whether he is writing… how it is with English.. from Trude… many sincere… Mama
M2020/040:005h 27 May 1939
My dear children. On Thursday I received your nice letter with pictures giving me much… thank God... this is my… wish… from Edward too I get a lot of pleasure… hoping for the time when I will… I am busily learning… no good with the stomach… I have ordered for Thursday or Friday… Gisa… suitcase… 1 sleeping… 11 stockings… 1 blue… combination… 2 dresses… 3 overcoats… dark blue… dear Else… in connection with business… please write… I confirmed it to Gisa immediately… please dear Else… in number 52, please write about it… Thank God that I am keeping quite well… so hot that for two days I… I will continue the letter tomorrow… I belive Reis(?) is coming to visit me… my dear child… won’t buy anything… don’t have a dressmaker… your birthday… enjoyed… in the morning… the rice… tomorrow afternoon… salami… sent to Trude… Getti… to be informed… don’t hear from Richard a long time… a delight… has phoned me a fortnight ago…overcoats and winter gear… phone me… they have cinema tickets and go with me… I am closing best wishes and to dear Edward. Mama.
M2020/040:005i 30 May 1939
My dear children, today Tuesday, received your letter of 25, wrote to you the last letter, wrote to you on Sunday, today is Tuesday and I wanted only to write tomorrow… early… received… Richard with the afternoon post… I am delighted that you are sunburnt… should I be cross… it is much healthier… birthday… I am always delighted to hear… and wish… dear God… I have not yet written to Marienbad… have intentionally until after Pentecost(?) holiday, will write there tomorrow… although thank God I feel quite well… however certainly… after two years… wishing Richard all the best… to get no news for such a long time, however from you dear child you have no news but you write in every letter that you did write to Richard, I write every Tuesday and Thursday and I am happy that may mail is functioning… Reiss… not here… I did three times today… and sent the same three times… your… I phoned today… and could not… earlier… until… permission… consulate… phoned Thursday… the kindness… I have the intention to… immediately… the result… you my dear little daughter dear God it should only with us work out for the best. I have often… phoned the successor…uncle Bela… added to the letter… until the 5 June did not pay us… Handed over to my barrister… then will pay nothing… claimed back… should all the lot in evidence… the Braun… will write her tomorrow. Haven’t you still not received the postal? It has already been three weeks on the way… I think it is with you… not in order… then to London. Hetti has written to me… to get it for her… two holidays… one day to cinema… second day went for a walk… you see my child… the dresses to Gisa… it is really very nice… phoned early this morning Dr… has phoned me this morning… will visit me a few days later… your regards… 3 months… is nice… I am sorry… I am closing because I want to send off the letter today… you and dear Edward best wishes, Mama
Credit lineSydney Jewish Museum Collection, Donated by David Hardy
In appreciation to the Conference on Jewish Material Claims Against Germany (Claims Conference) for supporting this archival project.