Object numberM1992/031:006
DescriptionLetter to Greta Albera (née Pollak) from her Grandmother and Great-grandmother in Vienna, August 1939. They express concern for Greta's welfare after losing her job in London, and encourage her to find further work as a nanny. They provide news of family remaining in Vienna, and the increasing difficulties around securing emigration.
Greta Mirjam Albera (née Pollak), was born in Linz, Austria on 9 September 1920, the only child of Erna Pollak, born on 15 March 1895, and Isidor Pollak, born on 18 December 1879. Greta emigrated to the United Kingdom in January 1939 where she worked as a governess, a home helper, and later as a nurse until the war ended. During her time in England, she was able to communicate with her parents who remained in Vienna. This contact was made possible through family friends living in Switzerland, who would pass on the messages and later through the Red Cross letter system.
Isidor and Erna were transported to Theresienstadt Ghetto (Terezin), Czechoslovakia on 9 October 1942. Both were murdered there, Erna on 9 May 1944 and Isidor on 16 May 1944. In England, Greta married Bedrich Albera, before emigrating to Israel, and later settling in Australia in 1954. She was the only member of her family to survive.
This letter is part of a collection of correspondence dating 1939 to 1942, between the donor and her family.
Greta Mirjam Albera (née Pollak), was born in Linz, Austria on 9 September 1920, the only child of Erna Pollak, born on 15 March 1895, and Isidor Pollak, born on 18 December 1879. Greta emigrated to the United Kingdom in January 1939 where she worked as a governess, a home helper, and later as a nurse until the war ended. During her time in England, she was able to communicate with her parents who remained in Vienna. This contact was made possible through family friends living in Switzerland, who would pass on the messages and later through the Red Cross letter system.
Isidor and Erna were transported to Theresienstadt Ghetto (Terezin), Czechoslovakia on 9 October 1942. Both were murdered there, Erna on 9 May 1944 and Isidor on 16 May 1944. In England, Greta married Bedrich Albera, before emigrating to Israel, and later settling in Australia in 1954. She was the only member of her family to survive.
This letter is part of a collection of correspondence dating 1939 to 1942, between the donor and her family.
Production placeVienna, Austria
Production date 1939-08-02
Subjectchildren, signs of life
Object nameletters
Materialpaper
Dimensions
- width: 29.10
height: 19.60
Language
- German
Credit lineSydney Jewish Museum Collection, Donated by Mrs Greta Albera