Object numberM2009/104:001
DescriptionFive volumes of typed memoirs by Elsa Friedner, written during the years 1980-1982, or possibly earlier.
Volume 1.
Elsa Brigitta Maria Zak (or Schack) was born on 15 August 1901. She had a younger brother, Hans Leopold, born in 1906. Elsa was raised a Catholic but left the church at 18. She records her childhood and school years including World War I and the Spanish Flu epidemic. Her mother died in 1919.
At the age of 19 she became pregnant to her tutor, Will Holt. She left home with Will. The pregnancy was terminated. In May 1920 she converted to Judaism to marry Will. They lived together for some years, terminated a second pregnancy which left her infertile, but never married.
She met Walton Fielder and married him on 14 July 1929.
Volume 2
This volume covers the early years of their marriage and the decision, with the rise of the NSDAP, to migrate to Australia. Walton was Jewish, Elsa a convert to Judaism. They were called up by the Gestapo, for outstanding taxes, shortly before their departure for Australia.
They settled first in Wollongong in 1939, and finally in Orange in 1942 where they started a successful millinery business.
Volume 3
By 1950 their millinery business was well established in Orange. In 1954 they made their first return trip to Austria.
Volume 4
A second return trip to Austria combined with a trip through Europe. In 1967 their business was sold.
Volume 5 (no binding)
A third world trip.
Walton dies aged 83, in 1982. Elsa finishes her memoir in the same year.
The end of this volume also includes a small number of photographs of Elsa, Walton, their business in Orange and two of Walton’s family members: a sister, Olga, and young nephew, both of whom were killed in the gas chambers.
The volume closes with extracts, in English, of published texts.
The memoirs were assed by Louise Anemaat at the State Library. See file for correspondence.
Volume 1.
Elsa Brigitta Maria Zak (or Schack) was born on 15 August 1901. She had a younger brother, Hans Leopold, born in 1906. Elsa was raised a Catholic but left the church at 18. She records her childhood and school years including World War I and the Spanish Flu epidemic. Her mother died in 1919.
At the age of 19 she became pregnant to her tutor, Will Holt. She left home with Will. The pregnancy was terminated. In May 1920 she converted to Judaism to marry Will. They lived together for some years, terminated a second pregnancy which left her infertile, but never married.
She met Walton Fielder and married him on 14 July 1929.
Volume 2
This volume covers the early years of their marriage and the decision, with the rise of the NSDAP, to migrate to Australia. Walton was Jewish, Elsa a convert to Judaism. They were called up by the Gestapo, for outstanding taxes, shortly before their departure for Australia.
They settled first in Wollongong in 1939, and finally in Orange in 1942 where they started a successful millinery business.
Volume 3
By 1950 their millinery business was well established in Orange. In 1954 they made their first return trip to Austria.
Volume 4
A second return trip to Austria combined with a trip through Europe. In 1967 their business was sold.
Volume 5 (no binding)
A third world trip.
Walton dies aged 83, in 1982. Elsa finishes her memoir in the same year.
The end of this volume also includes a small number of photographs of Elsa, Walton, their business in Orange and two of Walton’s family members: a sister, Olga, and young nephew, both of whom were killed in the gas chambers.
The volume closes with extracts, in English, of published texts.
The memoirs were assed by Louise Anemaat at the State Library. See file for correspondence.
Production placeAustralia
Production date 1980 - 1982
Subjectrefugees, immigration, rural communities, country life, migration, migrants, Australian Jewish history, memoirs
Object namememoirs
Dimensions
- width: 220.00 mm
height: 340.00 mm
Language
- German
Credit lineSydney Jewish Museum Collection, Donated by Kevin and Frances Laughton