Letter from Regina Herrmann to Inge Herrmann on 2 September 1938
ObjektnummerM2020/023:049
TitelLetter from Regina Herrmann to Inge Herrmann on 2 September 1938
Ophav Regina Herrmann
BeskrivelseLetter from Regina Herrmann (nee Manneberg) to her daughter Inge aboard the SS Oronsay from England to Australia, on 2 September 1938. Regina wonders if Inge had received the letters she sent to her in England (she didn't). She comments that Inge would have been on the ship for 7 days, and would have left her home city of Magdeburg 14 weeks ago. She and Inge's father Otto were eagerly awaiting Inge's first letter from the ship, and generally wished her well. She also advises Inge to leave a good impression on her traveling companions on the ship.
There is an associated letter from Otto Herrmann on the same date (M2020/023:050)
Part of a collection of over 60 letters to Inge-Ruth Poppert (nee Herrmann) from 1937 to 1957, as well as memorabilia and personal documents that detail the Holocaust experiences of the Herrmann family, and the establishment Inge's life in Sydney, Australia.
Inge was born on 12 October 1922 in Wolmirstedt, near Magdeburg, Germany to Otto and Kate-Regina Herrmann (nee Manneberg). Inge lived in Wolmirstedt, but attended school in Madgeburg from 1933. The family relocated to the city of Magdeburg in 1935 where Otto owned two shops. Due to anti-Semitism and anti-Jewish legislation, Otto had lost his clothing business in Wolmirstedt. However, from 1937 with the increasing Aryanisation of Jewish assets and property, the Herrmann family again forcibly lost their remaining businesses and way of life.
Despite the worsening risk to all Jews in Germany, Inge's parents initially resisted emigration, though in 1937 they decided that their daughter should leave. Inge was approved to go to Australia after being assessed in Berlin. She arrived in Sydney via London in September 1938.
Otto and Regina lived in increasing poverty and anxiety. Otto was arrested in 1938 and sent to Buchenwald for a brief period before being released. In October 1942 they were deported to Theresienstadt. Inge received no sign of life from her parents from 1944 and only learned years after the war that they were deported to Auschwitz in October 1944 where they were murdered.
There is an associated letter from Otto Herrmann on the same date (M2020/023:050)
Part of a collection of over 60 letters to Inge-Ruth Poppert (nee Herrmann) from 1937 to 1957, as well as memorabilia and personal documents that detail the Holocaust experiences of the Herrmann family, and the establishment Inge's life in Sydney, Australia.
Inge was born on 12 October 1922 in Wolmirstedt, near Magdeburg, Germany to Otto and Kate-Regina Herrmann (nee Manneberg). Inge lived in Wolmirstedt, but attended school in Madgeburg from 1933. The family relocated to the city of Magdeburg in 1935 where Otto owned two shops. Due to anti-Semitism and anti-Jewish legislation, Otto had lost his clothing business in Wolmirstedt. However, from 1937 with the increasing Aryanisation of Jewish assets and property, the Herrmann family again forcibly lost their remaining businesses and way of life.
Despite the worsening risk to all Jews in Germany, Inge's parents initially resisted emigration, though in 1937 they decided that their daughter should leave. Inge was approved to go to Australia after being assessed in Berlin. She arrived in Sydney via London in September 1938.
Otto and Regina lived in increasing poverty and anxiety. Otto was arrested in 1938 and sent to Buchenwald for a brief period before being released. In October 1942 they were deported to Theresienstadt. Inge received no sign of life from her parents from 1944 and only learned years after the war that they were deported to Auschwitz in October 1944 where they were murdered.
ProduktionsstedGermany
Produktionsdato 1938-09-02
Objektnavnletters
Materialepaper
Mål
- width: 290.00 mm
height: 208.00 mm
Sprog
- German My most beloved dear child!
We were actually expecting to receive news from you early today before Gibraltar, but that wasn't to be, maybe there will be something in the evening post. We hope that our beloved little Inge is in good health and good spirits, and hope that you recovered if you had been seasick. We are so curious to hear your first report about the sea voyage, how the food is, with whom you get together and what you do all day long. Did you still receive our letters in London and at Gibraltar,
. nur
. in
.. ?
There is not much happening around here, however there is one piece of news, your friend Mrs Krebs died on Wednesday, may she rest in peace.
Yesterday afternoon Martha came over to find out what you had written, she sends again for regards, also Mrs. Lange, I am not to forget to pass her regards on as well. Also, Sigrid came over again yesterday, otherwise not one of your girl-friends come over. Mrs. Kalmannsohn has visitors, her sister and brother-in-law are here, they invited us for tomorrow evening, and of course we will go.
The Berlin relatives have written quite overjoyed that they had received news from you. How are you managing the washing/laundry, my dear child, have you washed anything yet and what about the children,
I worry about everything so much, whether everything will work out well. I write to you again, make sure you are pleasant and kind to all the people on the ship, you never know how people can be of help, and it always leaves a good impression when a young girl is modest and kind. How time is passing, tomorrow you are already 8 days on the ship and 14 days apart from me. Uncle
comes everyday to see me, as well as ? Hass ? Zimmermann
We already go to bed at quarter to 10
.
Now my lovely child, remain well and be cordially greeted and kissed from your loving Mum
KreditrammeSydney Jewish Museum Collection, Donated by Kim Poppert
In appreciation to the Conference on Jewish Material Claims Against Germany (Claims Conference) for supporting this archival project.