Letters from Elsa Strauss to her daughter Hetty, March 1939
ObjektnummerM2020/040:001
TitelLetters from Elsa Strauss to her daughter Hetty, March 1939
BeskrivelseTwo typewritten letters from Elsa Strauss to her daughter Hetty, sent in March 1939 shortly after Hetty immigrated to England from Vienna. Both letters contain an additional handwritten paragraph from Karolina Sonnenfeld, Hetty's grandmother.
Hetty worked as an au pair in Sussex. Elsa wrote to her daughter often, requesting to hear about all details of her life and offering comfort and advice to help her in her role. In this first letter she wrote "I want to know all the details, your daily schedule, the work you do in the morning and afternoon. Do you need a self-help book in child rearing so you can learn the basics, or will you work it out yourself? Make an effort, so a child is thankful when it is healthy and disciplined."
In the letter of 25 March, Elsa informs Hetty that she will be flying via Frankfurt and will arrive on 29 March in Croydon. She writes "I can't tell you the different feelings I have because I'm leaving, leaving without knowing where to go and without money; leaving Grandma all alone." It is clear that she went to England with the intention of furthering Karolina's immigration. In the same letter she writes "I have already my ticket to go back and if nothing comes in between, I'm going to go back to my mother, I don't know what I'm really going to do there but it's G-d's will"
Part of a collection of 71 letters and postcards, a diary and driver's license relating to Henrietta (Hetty) Hardy (nee Strauss), her mother Elsa Strauss (nee Sonnenfeld) and her grandmother Karolina Sonnenfeld (nee Löwy).
Hetty was born 21 April 1920 in Vienna. They family lived in an apartment in the city but owned a large farm about 25km away. When her father Jacob died of heart failure in 1929, they moved into her maternal grandmother's apartment, so Karolina could look after Hetty while Elsa worked at the farm. They lived there for six years; the three women were incredibly close.
After the Anschluss in March 1938, Elsa was stripped of her ownership of the farm. Hetty eventually received a domestic permit to live in England and immigrated at the beginning of March 1939. She worked as an au pair in Sussex. Hetty was considered a 'friendly alien' – her father was born in Czechoslovakia and as a result she had attained a Czech passport. Elsa was torn between following her daughter and staying to support her mother, but at the urging of family she soon followed Hetty at the end of March 1939.
Almost immediately after arriving, Elsa met Edward Bingham, a retired farmer who travelled frequently between England and New Zealand. Elsa and Edward married in April 1939, which was a marriage of convenience and compassion. Edward allowed Elsa to receive British citizenship and save her farm in Vienna, which became foreign owned. He also enabled Elsa and Hetty to attain a permit for New Zealand, and they left in August 1940. Edward soon moved back to England and their marriage was dissolved.
Hetty and Else remained in frequent contact with Karolina throughout 1939-1940, however their letters mostly ceased at the onset of war. Both Elsa and her brother Richard, who was living in Venezuela, tried to get a visa for Karolina but were unsuccessful. On 23 October 1941 she was deported to Lodz ghetto. In 1942 she was deported to a concentration camp where she was murdered. The family never learned the details of her fate, and always felt a lack of closure.
While on vacation in Australia in December 1947, Hetty met Nathan Hardy, soon became engaged, and married in April 1948 in Sydney.
Hetty worked as an au pair in Sussex. Elsa wrote to her daughter often, requesting to hear about all details of her life and offering comfort and advice to help her in her role. In this first letter she wrote "I want to know all the details, your daily schedule, the work you do in the morning and afternoon. Do you need a self-help book in child rearing so you can learn the basics, or will you work it out yourself? Make an effort, so a child is thankful when it is healthy and disciplined."
In the letter of 25 March, Elsa informs Hetty that she will be flying via Frankfurt and will arrive on 29 March in Croydon. She writes "I can't tell you the different feelings I have because I'm leaving, leaving without knowing where to go and without money; leaving Grandma all alone." It is clear that she went to England with the intention of furthering Karolina's immigration. In the same letter she writes "I have already my ticket to go back and if nothing comes in between, I'm going to go back to my mother, I don't know what I'm really going to do there but it's G-d's will"
Part of a collection of 71 letters and postcards, a diary and driver's license relating to Henrietta (Hetty) Hardy (nee Strauss), her mother Elsa Strauss (nee Sonnenfeld) and her grandmother Karolina Sonnenfeld (nee Löwy).
Hetty was born 21 April 1920 in Vienna. They family lived in an apartment in the city but owned a large farm about 25km away. When her father Jacob died of heart failure in 1929, they moved into her maternal grandmother's apartment, so Karolina could look after Hetty while Elsa worked at the farm. They lived there for six years; the three women were incredibly close.
After the Anschluss in March 1938, Elsa was stripped of her ownership of the farm. Hetty eventually received a domestic permit to live in England and immigrated at the beginning of March 1939. She worked as an au pair in Sussex. Hetty was considered a 'friendly alien' – her father was born in Czechoslovakia and as a result she had attained a Czech passport. Elsa was torn between following her daughter and staying to support her mother, but at the urging of family she soon followed Hetty at the end of March 1939.
Almost immediately after arriving, Elsa met Edward Bingham, a retired farmer who travelled frequently between England and New Zealand. Elsa and Edward married in April 1939, which was a marriage of convenience and compassion. Edward allowed Elsa to receive British citizenship and save her farm in Vienna, which became foreign owned. He also enabled Elsa and Hetty to attain a permit for New Zealand, and they left in August 1940. Edward soon moved back to England and their marriage was dissolved.
Hetty and Else remained in frequent contact with Karolina throughout 1939-1940, however their letters mostly ceased at the onset of war. Both Elsa and her brother Richard, who was living in Venezuela, tried to get a visa for Karolina but were unsuccessful. On 23 October 1941 she was deported to Lodz ghetto. In 1942 she was deported to a concentration camp where she was murdered. The family never learned the details of her fate, and always felt a lack of closure.
While on vacation in Australia in December 1947, Hetty met Nathan Hardy, soon became engaged, and married in April 1948 in Sydney.
ProduktionsstedVienna, Austria
Produktionsdato 1939-03 - 1939-03-25
Objektnavnletters
Materialepaper
Sprog
- German M2020/040:001a
Dearest Hetti. I am completely pleased, you hold more than you promised, we are beginning to build a picture about your tasks, yesterday I was very unhappy, the first letter arrived late, and therefore the context was missing. About the food I have not heard anything yet, corresponding to the descriptions. After finishing the Thursday letter, you will definitely be well off. That you need to work is certainly no misfortune, because the most important is the treatment. To live as a servant is bitter, trust me my dear child, especially when could have a bigger pay. I will do everything to help you, speaking not preliminarily about the costs, you do not need to money at the moment, especially when you touch the iron stock. I have just written to Arthur, he will support you with some form. Even from diamonds you can calculate a subsidy. I have the mind to send a packet with lollies as well as something for your Lady. In the packet I will put a small homemade braided yeast bun with a good filling for you. Thursday I will hopefully relinquish. The Lady will also be happy with the gift, and you with the baked goods. Today Ms. Tillischek was here, miraculously she talked about the terrible conditions of Reichsfeld. If one should thank her knowledge, I do not know. Do you have any news concerning this matter? I have also written to Ms. Dannenberg today and I will put a return mark on for you. With marks I will provide for you that most importantly you will have the time to send me detailed reports. I want to know all the details. So, kind of details like daily reports for Moos. Morning, midday, and evening performances etc. Do you possibly need a book about child rearing where you can learn the basics, or will you work it out yourself? Anyhow with laying and picking a child it is the left hand under the head, in order for the head to be protected. Above the forehead is the soft spot of the head, and is particularly fragile. Make an effort, so a child is thankful when it is healthy and disciplined. This afternoon I will be going to Löv and will distract myself a bit. Tomorrow some new farmers will come to us. We are striving to fill in time but here and there it is very apprehensive.
This letter definitely for tomorrow, however your letter came today, so I write now, so that you see that we spare no effort or time to make you happy. In other ways you do not need to write anyone else, I will pass on the information. Herr BR. was delighted to hear your letter. That is a nice man who sits with us and chats. Tomorrow morning, he will come and we will learn to make sandwich platters. We were at Baker Fritz, and bought some fat. On a larger scale is there enough work, if we only hear about good compensation. A whole day bulletin with all details is very much missed. Maybe there later a machine which functions better than mine. What do you need the most from your clothes, what do you wear in the morning, to dinner and for work? I plead to not leave things lying about, make your cupboard efficient during the week. You need to think, that maybe the house maids will not speak to you kindly, and in case of the smallest mishap will speak bad of you to the lady. You should not gossip in the bathroom. Everything must be cleaner and tidier when leaving. Especially in the beginning the Lady will only support you when possible, it can be your luck for the future. What do you have when you’re not nice? When you are so, you can come into society and that will have unparalleled advantages. What I write to you, I write out of conviction, and where I know you, I want you to notice your faults. I believe when a person is always clean or nice, approachable and humble, then he needs to impress the driest of people. It is a transitional stage where you have to be clever. As a servant you do not have much options in the future. However, in this position you have many chances. Just don’t be messy or comfortable. I cannot do any more for you, use this opportunity and you will see when you precise and nice are and summer comes, you will have equal footing in society. I plead a thousand times, be orderly and nice, don’t leave anything lying about… your towel shouldn’t be lying around unorderly like here. I hope you will take my word and be clever. Have you also obtained the medication? When you need something, write to me. I can send you by post some leather. My fabric has been exhausted, the last days I have written lots, and I promise if I am not pleased with your account, I will write more, even though it is difficult to report new things.
Many kisses
Mother
M2020/040:001b
Vienna 25 March 1939
My dearest Hetti!
Today you will be astonished to hear that Lotte has sent me a telegram that I should prepare everything for departure.
I have already my ticket, it’s not a direct flight but I’ll have a stopover in Frankfurt and I’ll arrive Wednesday the 29th, In Croydon at 3:00pm, in the afternoon.
I’m curious if everything will work out.
I have already my ticket to go back and if nothing comes in between, I’m going to go back to my mother, I don’t know what I’m really going to do there but it’s G’ds will.
Lotte’s information is not 100% accurate because I was told here when my international driving license was issued that the Nuremberg Laws don’t apply to me. Today I'm still a foreigner I’ll put to add at Mozze for myself, I’m starting again to write after had a lesson in English. My current teacher is quite good and hopefully I’ll have the opportunity to learn some English!
I can’t tell you the different feelings I have because I’m leaving, leaving without knowing where to go and without money; leaving Grandma all alone.
I don’t want to stay forever, I want to fullfill your wish and come home again. I have made the decision not to put the above mentioned add into the newspaper because I’m hoping that I’ll get a job without it and if not or it will have to help.
Lotte sent me an express letter which I’ll get tomorrow. I’ll buy a two way ticket Isle de Wight and if you agree I’ll visit you with Lotte. I'm still sceptical how everything will work out and if my intentions can be put into reality. You’re not coming to London because these are unnecessary costs.
I can buy here the ticket and it’s easiest to visit you. This moment I received the express letter from Lotte. Everything is complicated, somebody will pick me up and I can even tell the office if he should ask at the Jewish td committee if I’m allowed to come.
I have to say I’m arriving as a domestic and I’ll see if I can enter. Everything is terrible so unknown and exciting but I still want to try. I’m writing at the same time to H,D, to find me some literature.
I can’t stay at Lotte but it doesn’t matter, I want to go into a small motel and don’t want to bother anybody. For the time being I don’t want to bother your Lady because I don’t want to cause any damage. I’m happy that you’re being looked after in some way.
Lotte’s very worried about us. Today I’ll write as well to Ferry she should tell me how to please Lotte. Destiny will tell us if I made the right decision. If everything goes right, I hope that everything will work out.
More than ever I still want to finalise 2 letters because it’s now very late. You’ll get definitely a message from me before I’m leaving.
Don’t be nervous, everything is going to be fine,
Kisses
Your
G, Mama
KreditrammeSydney Jewish Museum Collection, Donated by David Hardy
In appreciation to the Conference on Jewish Material Claims Against Germany (Claims Conference) for supporting this archival project.