Object numberM2012/015:009
DescriptionSUMMARY:
This letter was written by Regina Nerichow in Dortmund, Germany, to her children Henriette (“Henni”) and Karl Heinz who were living in England. Comments on: Karl Heinz' behaviour towards his sister and parents; attendance of Christian religious services; the emigration of children (presumably friends of her son) from Germany; regards from family and acquaintances.
BIOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION:
Henriette was sent to England aged 13 in 1938 as part of the “Kindertransport” - the informal name of a series of rescue efforts which brought thousands of refugee Jewish children to Great Britain from Nazi Germany between 1938 and 1940. Karl made his way to England in 1939. They both migrated to Australia in 1957.
This letter was written by Regina Nerichow in Dortmund, Germany, to her children Henriette (“Henni”) and Karl Heinz who were living in England. Comments on: Karl Heinz' behaviour towards his sister and parents; attendance of Christian religious services; the emigration of children (presumably friends of her son) from Germany; regards from family and acquaintances.
BIOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION:
Henriette was sent to England aged 13 in 1938 as part of the “Kindertransport” - the informal name of a series of rescue efforts which brought thousands of refugee Jewish children to Great Britain from Nazi Germany between 1938 and 1940. Karl made his way to England in 1939. They both migrated to Australia in 1957.
Production placeDortmund, Germany
Production date 1939-04-27
Subjectloved ones' contact, reunions, Kindertransport
Object nameletters
Materialpaper
Dimensions
- a width: 210.00 mm
a height: 295.00 mm
Language
- German Dortmund, 27.04.1939.
My dear children!
Received your dear letter and thank you for it. To let you know, that we are well and hope that you are well also. [your/you: plural pronouns]. We are daily expecting an answer/reply from Münster and are hopeful that it will work out/succeed. You, dear Henni, write about a parcel, and I believe it will become a box/chest. I have asked you a few weeks ago whether we are allowed to send more [things] and you, dear Henni, have answered that there was plenty of room for our things. If it is not permitted, please write at once. What about Sunday school, is there something [nb. Photocopy does not show the complete word of the original; perhaps ‘extra’/‘additional’). How was the report card??? I thought you would have already told us in your last letter, or is it not good??? What about the church service, I thought you [plural] were going to go with a young girl, or is she still sick? I don’t think it is nice of you, K.H., that you care so little about your younger sister. As a good and nice brother and gentleman you have to consider your younger sister before everything else, always. Dear K.H., do you see the chance/prospect of getting a new suit? I don’t believe it, so make sure you look well after your things/clothes. How about your shoes? Dear K.H., you really embarrassed yourself with the congratulations, for one has to have time for one’s father to write the Five Words. K.H., K.H., you really have to change for the better. Does K.H. also make the trip and for how many days? Dur Whitsun/Pentecost is on 24. And 25., Wednesday and Thursday and 2 days later are the others. Is it the same gentleman who takes you to London? We really enjoyed getting the few lines from your [singular] foster mother, as she only writes in English. Also, thank the lady for the postcard she sent. Now, dear Henni tell us what sort of a school you attend? I believe you can only go to university if you have completed the baccalaureate or does it have a different name there [nb. English “high school” would literally mean ‘Hochschule’; but Hochschule in German is a tertiary institution]. Miss ? Schanzer ? sends her regards. She saw your photos and was surprised how you have grown and also K.H. Especially the photo which has both of you, we were thinking, but we are willing to wait and wait. Last week I met Mrs. St. and Inge and I said good-bye to them. I only said, I wished we were ready. I keep my fingers crossed for you and […] but there are no fingers left [to cross] for us. Last week Aunt Grete wrote that she had written to the old address etc. She wrote that the grandparents had a cold/flu and N. and […] are in a small paradise, that’s how lovely it is there during spring. There was no need to worry about […]. The grandparents love to see him and she is going to ask that he has some time off. What does K.H. have to do, that he has no time? How is work? I believe, dear K.H., that you will have the time to spend a half hour a week for your parents to write a few lines, because we deserve it. How am I to understand this special invitation to the dance in June. I thank you on behalf of Mrs. ? Artmann?, I’ll only go to see her on Saturday. The weather is very miserable, cold, real April weather. Many regards from Dr. Rothschild (Miss), she was very glad on account of you, she has seen your photos. At the end of May she will take her mother to England and she goes to U.S.A.
Last week the last of the Grünfeld boys went to England. Many cordial greetings and kisses from your [plural] Mother.
Many regards to the foster parents.
[faintly:] So far we have not received any mail this week from […]
Credit lineSydney Jewish Museum Collection, Donated by Roy and Anne Nerichow