Object numberM2020/040:007
DescriptionLetters from Karolina Sonnenfeld in Vienna to her daughter Elsa Strauss in England in July 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.
In July 1939 Karolinas increasing anxiety is apparent. She referred often to problems with her apartment and searched without success for alternative places to stay. On 3 July 1939 she wrote about restrictions on living; that she was "only allowed to live in Guttenberg or at Lakatos, anything else is prohibited for us" (M2020/040:007b). Karolina wrote about her difficulty in buying food, as there was no meat available and she couldnt go to a restaurant anymore; afraid they would send her away (M2020/040:007f).
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.
In July 1939 Karolinas increasing anxiety is apparent. She referred often to problems with her apartment and searched without success for alternative places to stay. On 3 July 1939 she wrote about restrictions on living; that she was "only allowed to live in Guttenberg or at Lakatos, anything else is prohibited for us" (M2020/040:007b). Karolina wrote about her difficulty in buying food, as there was no meat available and she couldnt go to a restaurant anymore; afraid they would send her away (M2020/040:007f).
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 M2020/040:007b A letter from Karolina, Vienna, to her daughter Else, London, 3 July 1939
Karolina was thinking to give up her apartment and she wanted to drive to Baden in order to enquire about her emigration procedure. “One is only allowed to live in Guttenberg or at Lakatos, anything else is prohibited for us. I would prefer to go to Semering [town in Austria], but I couldn’t spend so much money for Baden, because they will charge so much at this time of the season.” [Baden was a spa town in Austria].
She met Scheff., who was going to read her report, although it wasn’t finished yet. Karolina was hoping that the report was completely filled in. [Presumably the report was related to her emigration documents].
Karolina thanked Else for her offer to send her money from England, but Karolina rejected it.
M2020/040:007c A letter from Karolina, to her daughter Else and her granddaughter Hetty, England, 7 July 1939
Karolina wrote: “The newspaper states that we are not allowed to go anywhere. […] I need some fresh air for sure, but we are not allowed to be in a park.” Stern’s permit was granted and it was ready to be picked up.
M2020/040:007d A letter from Karolina, to her daughter Else and her granddaughter Hetty, England, 8 July 1939
A daughter of Karolina’s friend, Ms. Oppenheim, was in London too, and brought her furniture too. Karolina forwarded the address to Else.
“I would go somewhere for sure, if I only would know where. I had written to Semering [town in Austria], but I received a rejection already. The newspaper states, this place is not defined as whereabouts for us. I heard Silvana [could be a guesthouse] is still taking in our people in Baden. I called them yesterday and they told me, we have enough space, however we are not allowed to take in J.[ews]. Believe me, dear child, I need urgently rest.”
Karolina was thinking to go to another place called Gunelhof[?], where she would live 3 weeks.
The status of her permit was still uncertain.
M2020/040:007e undated, c. 9 July 1939
My dear children, yesterday Monday received your dear card and hoping that you are already settled in the new flat and once again good luck and blessings… it is for sure if… all the installation… to be put into place… but I have the feeling that you will soon come to… of aunt Dora… I have heard nothing… I have sent on your dear letter… Reis has not been here for two days… he told… the next few days to London… she is bringing for you… and 3… for dear Richard… I wanted to give her also… she could not take with her… I have not found any other documents with dear Gatti except the certificates… dear Richard wonderful letter… I am always happy… I don’t get together with Isso(?) a lot… for my… financially, of course I am sorry… thank God… There is no news from London about my order… worry… should have been settled, I am expecting your information. Apart from that we are keeping quite well… I now… and this quite good for my stomach… 1000 kisses especially for dear Edward, Mama… Monday in the morning…
M2020/040:007f A letter from Karolina, to her daughter Else and her granddaughter Hetty, London 11 July 1939
Karolina wrote about her problems to buy food, as there was no meat available and she couldn’t go to a restaurant anymore, because she was afraid, they would send her away. Karoline was referring to Else’s letter, in which she wrote her mother to leave her whereabouts, but Karoline responded, she didn’t know where to go. Karoline was thinking to go to another hotel, even though the price for one room was quite expensive. She received a letter from the court, stating her proposal was postponed due to her illness.
M2020/040:007g A letter from Karolina, Vienna, to her daughter Else and her granddaughter Hetty, London 15 July 1939
She was suffering from stomach trouble due to the excitement. Karoline received news from the hotel reception in Baden in order to confirm her booking request for three weeks.
M2020/040:007i Letter from Karoline to her daughter Else, 22 July 1939
Karoline received a payment slip from the tax office, stating to pay 3,500 MK, which she paid immediately. She repeated her attempt of renting an apartment in Baden, but she was very pessimistic.
Received your letter from 20th, delighted with your news. I am only delighted that you are gappy with your flat and so… me too can be happy… yesterday I phoned K… today 3 certificates arrived from the taxation department… 3,500 Mark… the note at H… I already got… I would ask you … the book… the library your name… the apartment… a burial site(?)… grandmother buried… and also the place where… is buried… apart from the money you have to have special contacts. Have written to Baden little prospect to get a unit there… it is… that you cannot sleep… till now they haven’t… from London… the curtains from the bedroom… getting them to be ironed… passed on from the boss… the flat is dirty… to get the furniture… my brother went abroad… believe me my dear child… can’t settle down… this morning at 6 o’clock… to get poultry or meat… but I am hoping to be a vegetarian at home… in the restaurant I get immediately stomach… I have sent dear Richard you letter… I am not clear… sophisticated person… have done it for your benefit… will order the carpenter… Emil… anywhere… the 2 in the bedroom… writing to Oskar… don’t want that he will read it… is her grandchild in London child care… Poetzleindorf… sitting 2-3 hours in the fresh air… I would like for 2-3 weeks to go there… to get into order… which is a worry… Many 1000 kisses for dear Edward too, Mama
M2020/040:007j 24 July 1939
My dear children, today Monday I received your dear card… today in morning and in the meantime letter and card received… and always delighted to hear that you are well… thank God quite well with the stomach… only buy butter… my brother sourced me the butter… my mother writes to hum 3-4 times in the week… Karoline… her money… am nerous… 3-4 families in his flat crowded together… brother has gone abroad, I have agreed… have 80 Mark… at all for one room.. the other tenant… the rental… 14 mark… no worried with interest. Richard is also writing today… I will get him my cheap… the bed covers… can’t send anything from here… I haven’t heard from M… Reis three Sundays not here… my dining room… curtains… bedroom… are ready and Thursday… dear God… send on… I am also sending the curtains… the two small… night boxes… you have always dear child… 2.30pm received your… want to get something… tomorrow I want to go there... library… no desire to something… Lily says that Mrs G(?) knows everything… please speak or write to her about this matter… In England… the brother is already travelling to America… to the doctor… extension… our Richard… registered at the same time… have written to our Richard travelling… sitting in our beautiful apartment… Daily now in the afternoon I am together with… and 3-4 times are travelling to… Perhaps dear God… a better time… can recuperate… all the placing of furniture. Many thousand kisses to dear Edward too. Mama.
Dear Else, at the moment I am sitting with your dear mother and am replying to your dear letter. Artur is so good but I would prefer if we could wait for developments. It will be our turn in September if all goes well. I am sending many thanks to… for her… Mrs H(?) and husband have already arrived, please write to them when it is convenient to visit. The address is 148 Northwood Way, Northwood Hills, Middlesex. I am already curious to hear from you about this. Furthermore I am requesting to send a letter of guarantee, which we will have to display at the border in case we are travelling to Italy. Approximately following… I am delivering to family Berthold the amount necessary as upkeep to survive until their emigration to the USA. After all you would know more about this. Many thanks for your efforts. Mr Brandeis was here too just now so your mother is never quite alone. Best wishes to you Hetterl and dear husband. Your Lily.
M2020/040:007k 25 July 1939
My dear children… today lunchtime,
I am already writing today in the morning and now want to report to you this evening my discussion with K. Today lunchtime… newspaper… so nervous that in the afternoon invited my brother, so that I am very pleased about this. In brief… already at 2 o’clock… was laughing about me… I have registered with K at at 6 o’clock… earlier I could not… my brother has not… he is not coming with me to K. The brother is on holiday, which is the opposite… he asked me… his brother… coming back. In short dear child the present K has… deficiency… Cretan… in the newspaper correctly reported… in his opinion we don’t have much we don’t have… much prospect, generally speaking for our worries. My brother has asked him I am… citizen… I have even… my consulate… my interest. I want to, my dear child… that you should… take steps to inquire whether it is not possible to intervene there that the dear brother has grounds. I have written… I believe… because the present K… let run out… Gubner has phoned me at lunchtime… to give him full authority… to close my business… finally intervene… my copy… to have consultation… with my barrister… he told me… Gubner he would… the Engineer… the is your greatest… whether I can suffer this slowly… I am hoping… greatest enemy… I am hoping… events… In my apartment… I have nothing… not even… and here it is not that hot in the apartment… have no prospects at all. If only Dear God… Pisk… brought me to send together. Many best wishes to all of you, Mama.
Dear Esteemed Lady, Excuse me for very infrequent correspondence but the most important things you are getting from dear Mama and the ongoing things are after all meaningless in these difficult times. Have heard from Oskar that you have sorted out the problems of the apartment and it would be important to find a way to sort out, at the local consulate, the difficult injustice, which is not based on any bare facts. The newspaper articles are in my opinion the outcome of the Commissioner who has lodged them with the newspapers. The procedure itself states very clearly in words such as ‘perhaps’ and ‘may be’ and is this appropriate… to describe a stone(?) After all, justice will prevail and effectively… cannot be. So keep up your head and, only to find your way to the consulate and find it… dear Mama is… after the newspaper artices very nervous but a night of good sleep will sort this out… sending regards today as well, Hetty and husband. Yours sincerely (?) Please regards to Mrs (?)
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.