Collection of correspondence between the Mérö family, 1939
Object numberM2021/002:001
TitleCollection of correspondence between the Mérö family, 1939
Description16 letters dated August to December 1939 from Pista Mérö and his wife Didi (Helen nee Weiss), in Budapest, to his two sisters and their husbands as they escaped from Hungary to re-establish their lives in Sydney.
These letters are part of a collection of documents related to the Mérö family, a middle class Jewish family living in Budapest before the war. With the rise of National Socialism and anti-Semitism in Europe, and at the insistence of relatives and friends, the family realized that they should depart Hungary before it was too late. Maria Erdelyi (nee Mérö) and her husband György (George) escaped in August 1939. George converted to Greek Orthodox to bypass the quotas on Jews entering Australia. Marias sister Klari and her husband Imre Szigeti immigrated at a similar time; both couples arriving in Sydney in September 1939.
This correspondence from their brother charts their immigration journey from Europe, their arrival in Australia and hopes for the future. This collection highlights the difficulties of migrant and refugee experiences in Australia as they struggled to establish new lives as enemy aliens.
Their letters also detail Pista and Didi's plans for escape, which were partially realised. Didi managed to attain a permit for the United States from her brother George Weiss. She and their daughter Kata (Kathleen) began their immigration journey in 1941, arriving in New York in January 1942. Pista died of pneumonia sometime between 1940-1941.
These letters are part of a collection of documents related to the Mérö family, a middle class Jewish family living in Budapest before the war. With the rise of National Socialism and anti-Semitism in Europe, and at the insistence of relatives and friends, the family realized that they should depart Hungary before it was too late. Maria Erdelyi (nee Mérö) and her husband György (George) escaped in August 1939. George converted to Greek Orthodox to bypass the quotas on Jews entering Australia. Marias sister Klari and her husband Imre Szigeti immigrated at a similar time; both couples arriving in Sydney in September 1939.
This correspondence from their brother charts their immigration journey from Europe, their arrival in Australia and hopes for the future. This collection highlights the difficulties of migrant and refugee experiences in Australia as they struggled to establish new lives as enemy aliens.
Their letters also detail Pista and Didi's plans for escape, which were partially realised. Didi managed to attain a permit for the United States from her brother George Weiss. She and their daughter Kata (Kathleen) began their immigration journey in 1941, arriving in New York in January 1942. Pista died of pneumonia sometime between 1940-1941.
Production placeBudapest, Hungary
Production date 1939-08 - 1940-03
Subjectmigrant experiences, immigration, arrival in Australia, establishing new life, loved ones' contact
Object nameletters
Materialpaper
Techniquetypewritten
Language
- Hungarian 17 August 1939
Dear Children,
Since Maca left, there’s not much news. Sorry because we miss the news. From Klare we have not heard since the Port Said news. This morning I tried to phone Schütgot, but they are on holidays. I have to be patient. If it arrives tomorrow, I will let you know from Cherbourg or maybe after tomorrow I would send you a telegram. So before the evening, you would know this at least.
From Maca we received cards from Austria. We are happy that everything went ok and we hope it will be for the future too.
And yesterday evening, luckily you met up with them. We spent on Tuesday evening with the Jules and yesterday we were at Anna’s.
From Gyorgi, my brother-in-law, we received interesting news, that he has a very meaningful invention at the moment, he will not reveal his secret until he works in a factory. At the moment he will not reveal his secrets to them, until we will be there, on this we will build our own business/investment. I would love to see it already. In any case I will write to him. He should let you know of the possibilities, because with that invention, he could really without any investment, he can start his business. I don’t find it impossible that you would be interested as well.
This morning I talked to Sarudy and he said first of all that future is for this inventor. They are also finding out about it and on Monday will have the answer. Would you still get the info in Montreal, that is the question.
Were they to receive the news sent to Vancouver I met Gyuri’s father yesterday as it was discussed not to send the films to Cherbourg, only the photos. Gega (?) I was with Geya (?) in his shop yesterday. It was established that all of you are already gone, his older brother Bela said I don’t even know, what sort of a port he mentioned, that 4 of you decided how many ways pertrakt (?)
You will make news in the papers the 4 of you how many ways.
Kata yesterday evening we telephoned for her birthday. Unfortunately they have very bad call times like here. No discussion in the bathroom I don’t know, they won’t return home sooner. The closest news who needs most of the help out there, until our friend Kober, from whom we received yesterday a not very optimistic letter. I will write to him your address and I think he will be of help tot you with pleasure.
I hope we will have more news of you and we wish you lots of luck. Enjoy Paris and the ship on the way as much as you can. Many kisses, Pista (?)
18 August 1939
Dear Children,
This is to have news from us in any case before we leave Europe. Already it is Friday morning, I write from the shop. Unfortunately Klare’s letter from Port Said must have been lost or maybe they haven’t air-mailed it. In that case we will wait for a long time till it arrives. If we have mail tomorrow then you will receive a telegram on the ship and if not then letter to Montreal. You shouldn’t be restless, mainly because of the bad mail connections I will write to you to Colombo. There I will send Maca a few letters that she left here.
Until now we received mail from … regarding an invoice for 20 pounds from 1937 November. I sent to Gyuri’s father and hope he will not pay for it. Marion asked Gyuri what gentleman she spoke to at Freitag’s place. She would like to find out.
Write to us from whatever place you can.
I hope you will have nicer times, better than we have here.
I don’t mind but poor Kata’s summer holiday was raining and no swimming.
From you I hope to get better news in future instead of what we have from Klari. Maybe the mail is under better conditions/circulation. I can’t write to you about that. Maybe in Montreal there will be a letter from us waiting, but it looks like it should be sent together to Vancouver in a solo letter and then maybe surely it will arrive in Montreal and wait for you.
Anyhow don’t worry about us if there won’t be news there. Enjoy the travelling and I wish you in full peace and calm tranquillity that should reach you all along you way.
Lots of good luck,
All the best
With love, I hug you
Pista
Rauda (?) is well. I am sorry that there isn’t poor Kata and Magda.
I hope that you…
I am reasonably well and hope it will be reading (?)
Everybody send regards.
I am pleased to send all the best and nicest things.
I hug you, Didi
26 December 1939
Summary of letter (handwritten translation available in the file): Partial letter from Pista, the recipient is unknown (possible George Ederlyi), detailing the costs of insurance, transport and storage of ‘merchandise’ – furniture, carpets, etc. – in Hamburg. It is unclear who the items belonged to, though the letter speaks of ‘the children’ deciding which items to keep or sell. NB In other letters Pista discusses exporting products from Hungary to Australia as part of a business opportunity?
21 August 1939, Budapest.
From Klari the letter arrived, she is enjoying the trip.
Dear Children
This information is not the latest until you arrive in Vancouver but I don’t want you to be without news and I don’t know if the next plane will arrive in time… Didi is well. The operation she heroically managed without my help. He only found out ½ hour ago and I rushed to the private hospital. Everything went smoothly. 9lbs(?) only 3 days after. She had pains, still has. She feels ok compared to yesterday. In 3 days she comes home and hopefully it will be a good result. … I had dinner with Julie, Gyuri’s aunty, I heard after the recovery.
We heard good news from Kata – after the first week it was a write-off. The first week was rain. Now good weather and she enjoys the Botation. They will stay 5-6 days.
From Klari there were telegrams to your ship in Cherbourg. From Suez there arrived an airmail letter. The letter is in good spirits. With the lawyer I spoke again, your affairs are still not finalised, but within 2 or 3 days, we hope. I will let you know shortly.
From Paris we received the letters. We received today the patent copies, the artificial rubber sample. If I can in the coming days, I will inform R. Paci and in any case I will see what I can do. It will be interesting. But I myself don’t understand these things. If I see anything we could start I will write to Gyuri’s friend. I will let you know whatever I did. I receive mail from you and a bill from membership which I found in disposal bin, also from Mr Burg a letter. Transport costs.
In your business you had 10 people working for you, 8 apprentices.
We were very happy that you enjoyed Paris and that was your last impression. I hope the first ship will be as successful and that you could change the bad cabin to a better one. Of course we await news from you and hope you will successfully manage everything on the other side of the world.
From us, its up to us to give you more information, and if I only could be 1 possibility, I can’t write everything. I have already written to Ceylon via post with the last trustworthy mail, till Thursday 24 September I am writing to Ceylon. After that the next port is Freemantle – they arrive 8th Sept. You can also write to them there, or 15th Sept to Melbourne, in both places, Aust-Italia shipping company….
But maybe the possible Honolulu letter will reach you. I don’t believe it will reach you.
Didi didn’t write in her own writing because I am writing from home.
Restlessly awaiting your news, Good luck and love and kisses
Pista
English
Credit lineSydney Jewish Museum Collection, Donated by Ms Anne Slade (nee Erdely)
In appreciation to the Conference on Jewish Material Claims Against Germany (Claims Conference) for supporting this archival project.