Object numberM2003/021:113
DescriptionTwo letters (three pages and one page) and a blue envelope stapled together, addressed to Charlotte Ostertag from the Jewish Committee for Relief Abroad. The letters are concerning her inquiries about her citizenship in order to claim restitution for property. LETTER A
1st page, dated 21st October 1946 (also available in English as a copy):
Legal Adviser G. Weiss telling Charlotte, that she lost her citizenship as she was deported to a camp outside the German Reich. Therefore she is entitled to report herself as "stateless" whenever her nationality is asked for.
2nd pager, dated 21 October 1946 (English version of 1st letter)
3rd page:
Seems to be the first page of the previous two pages, as it states that two certificates are attached, proving that Charlotte Ostertag is stateless. The Legal Adviser also writes, that Charlotte should inform him whenever someone doubts that she is "stateless".
LETTER B
4th page, dated 6th November 1946:
Response from Legal Adviser G. Weiss to Charlotte (dated 27th October) telling her she cannot claim for restitution as the bill has not been put through yet. He adds, that he doesn't know now what kind of property will be included in this restitution law - presumably real property and houses.
Part of a collection of 168 letters, postcards, documents, photographs and restitution claims belonging to Charlotte Lutufmen (nee Ostertag), born in Hannover, Germany on 3 April 1908 to Alfred and Gertrud Ostertag (nee Callomon). Charlotte was engaged to Max Loewenstein before the war. He moved to Turkey, changed his name to Mahir Lutufmen, converted to Islam, and obtained Turkish citizenship while working for a Dutch tobacco company. Charlotte was unable to obtain a permit to leave Germany and marry her fiancé. In December 1941, age 33, she was deported to Riga Ghetto. In September 1943 she was taken to do forced labour. Then in August 1944, she was deported to Kaiserwald. One month later, she was deported to Stutthof concentration camp and then to Sofienwalde from October 1944 to February 1945. Charlotte lost all her toes to frostbite during the death march back to Germany. After the war, she and Max were reunited. They married in Suelbeck, Germany, in 1947. Charlotte was 39 and Max was 45 years old. She moved to Turkey with him. A few years later they immigrated to Australia where she became an Australian citizen in 1955. Despite her impaired mobility that worsened as she aged, she made something of her life. When she retired in her late 60s she went to TAFE to get the matriculation she was deprived of in Germany and then went on to Macquarie University in her 70s, where she graduated with a BA in her early 80s – the oldest graduate at the time.
1st page, dated 21st October 1946 (also available in English as a copy):
Legal Adviser G. Weiss telling Charlotte, that she lost her citizenship as she was deported to a camp outside the German Reich. Therefore she is entitled to report herself as "stateless" whenever her nationality is asked for.
2nd pager, dated 21 October 1946 (English version of 1st letter)
3rd page:
Seems to be the first page of the previous two pages, as it states that two certificates are attached, proving that Charlotte Ostertag is stateless. The Legal Adviser also writes, that Charlotte should inform him whenever someone doubts that she is "stateless".
LETTER B
4th page, dated 6th November 1946:
Response from Legal Adviser G. Weiss to Charlotte (dated 27th October) telling her she cannot claim for restitution as the bill has not been put through yet. He adds, that he doesn't know now what kind of property will be included in this restitution law - presumably real property and houses.
Part of a collection of 168 letters, postcards, documents, photographs and restitution claims belonging to Charlotte Lutufmen (nee Ostertag), born in Hannover, Germany on 3 April 1908 to Alfred and Gertrud Ostertag (nee Callomon). Charlotte was engaged to Max Loewenstein before the war. He moved to Turkey, changed his name to Mahir Lutufmen, converted to Islam, and obtained Turkish citizenship while working for a Dutch tobacco company. Charlotte was unable to obtain a permit to leave Germany and marry her fiancé. In December 1941, age 33, she was deported to Riga Ghetto. In September 1943 she was taken to do forced labour. Then in August 1944, she was deported to Kaiserwald. One month later, she was deported to Stutthof concentration camp and then to Sofienwalde from October 1944 to February 1945. Charlotte lost all her toes to frostbite during the death march back to Germany. After the war, she and Max were reunited. They married in Suelbeck, Germany, in 1947. Charlotte was 39 and Max was 45 years old. She moved to Turkey with him. A few years later they immigrated to Australia where she became an Australian citizen in 1955. Despite her impaired mobility that worsened as she aged, she made something of her life. When she retired in her late 60s she went to TAFE to get the matriculation she was deprived of in Germany and then went on to Macquarie University in her 70s, where she graduated with a BA in her early 80s – the oldest graduate at the time.
Production placeHannover, Germany
Production date 1946-10-21 - 1946-11-06
Object nameofficial correspondence
Materialpaper
Dimensions
- width: 205.00 mm
height: 170.00 mm
Language
- German LETTER A
1st page, dated 21st October 1946 (also available in English as a copy):
Legal Adviser G. Weiss telling Charlotte, that she lost her citizenship as she was deported to a camp outside the German Reich. Therefore she is entitled to report herself as "stateless" whenever her nationality is asked for.
2nd pager, dated 21 October 1946 (English version of 1st letter)
3rd page:
Seems to be the first page of the previous two pages, as it states that two certificates are attached, proving that Charlotte Ostertag is stateless. The Legal Adviser also writes, that Charlotte should inform him whenever someone doubts that she is "stateless".
LETTER B
4th page, dated 6th November 1946:
Response from Legal Adviser G. Weiss to Charlotte (dated 27th October) telling her she cannot claim for restitution as the bill has not been put through yet. He adds, that he doesn't know now what kind of property will be included in this restitution law - presumably real property and houses.
Credit lineSydney Jewish Museum Collection, Donated by Annette Brett