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Old Photographs, Recognition, Handwriting Deciphering => Handwriting Deciphering & Recognition => Topic started by: uptodat on Tuesday 18 February 25 21:14 GMT (UK)
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Could someone please decipher the stained writing on the left of this "Puss in Boots" postcard dating, I think, to 1939.
The item was in possession of a 9 year old Jewish girl arriving in the UK on a Kindertransport. All her immediate family died in the Holocaust. I am assisting her daughter to piece together the family tree & whoever wrote this card is likely an important part of that.
I believe the address side on the right reads "Fraulein Ruth ----,
Berlin, Wilmersdorf, Uhland Str, 118, 119 then perhaps garden- house (flat II) ---
Almost all of the left side is indecipherable to me although I think there may be part of sender's name Cohn? before an address 22.
I have tried AI, etc without success. I have very limited knowledge of German language & especially of such handwriting which is perhaps from a child?
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my attempt (left side only)
Absender P. Cohn Schlowe
Mühlenstrasse 22
das ist ... Karte
hast auch ein Album
das du sie Aufbewärst
ich wunsch Euch guten
Sonabend und gute
Gesundheit. Alle gute
Schabes
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Thank you Zefiro!
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Right side:
Fraulein
Ruth H..hmann
Berlin Wilmersdorf
Uhlandstraße 118 119
Gartenhaus II Tr..
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Thank you again. She was Ruth Heymann but the handwriting in no way resembles that!
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Thank you again. She was Ruth Heymann but the handwriting in no way resembles that!
I can now read it as Heihmann (the E written with a very shaky hand). Phonetically this is the same as Heymann.
The last word of the address is propably Treppen. (stairs, steps)
I found that a lot of people lived at 118/ 119. I suspect there may have been either more than 1 entrance to the building (hence II Treppen, steps leading to the second entrance), or multiple floors (II Treppen meaning second floor).
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Again, my thanks. You are correct about the address, from which many from different families were transported to their deaths.
Your help with this is very much appreciated. May I submit other letters both sides, with contributions by Ruth's parents, siblings & others?
One is dated 1940, & may be the last communication received before their transportations in 1942, 1943.
As background, young Ruth was being fostered by a childless couple in the North of England. Siblings' names were Hilde(gard), Kurt & Manfred, but at least one sign off seems to be something else.
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Here's the transcription of the first letter. If you need help translating it, just ask.
When the original writer of this letter had finished, the rest of the space was filled with greetings from the rest of the family. I've separated those lines with ++++++++++++++.
There are a few words I just couldn't read, and some names are uncertain. I hope you can tell who they are. I've highlighted these.
I'm going to do the other letter later this weekend.
Viele Grüße
Schreibe bald
Berthold und Bine
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
18.4.40
Meine Lieben!
Heute haben wir Euren lieben Brief erhalten
und uns sehr über denselben gefreut.
Gott sei Dank daß du liebes Rutchen gesund
bist. Ich hatte mir schon so sehr große
Sorgen gemacht. Das ist ja fein, daß du
nun schon zur Schule gehst, und es dir
dort gut gefällt. Bleibe nur weiter
eine gute fleißige Schülerin. Wie geht
es Herrn Katz und Hund? Bitte grüße und b. W.
von uns. Und der Herr bei dem du einmal
zu Mittag geladen warst, wo das 4 jährige
Kind ist. Warst du wieder mal da?
Hast du denn mehrere Vögel, oder nur eine?
Ich habe mich auch sehr gefreut über
deinen neuen Mantel. Er ist wohl schön
warm. Laß dich nicht so viel belecken von
dem Hund. Waßch dir sehr viel deine Hände.
Habt Ihr was von Tante Rosa gehört?
Wir schon ewig nichts. Tante Recha ist
von uns gezogen. Sie heiratet mit
Onkel Fritz. Grüßt Betty Cohn herzlich von
uns. Hat Margot mal geschrieben?
Liebe Rutchen, schreibe so oft du kannst.
Schreibt bald alle wieder mit Berthold,
und schreibe auch an Tante Lenn und Gladys.
Die freuen sich auch sehr, genau wie wir.
///
Bleibt schön gesund, und du auch mein
geliebtes Rutchen. Ich denke so sehr viel an
dich. Bitte grüßt recht herzlich Onkel und
die liebe Tante Farrer. Viele recht herzliche
Grüße und Küsse von Eure Euch gut
Tante und Mutti
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Liebes Ruthchen,
Vielen Dank für deine Zeilen. Ich sehe, daß
du jetzt viel mehr Englisch kannst als ich.
Vergiss wohl nicht ganz das Deutsche.
Diesen Monat habe ich frisieren ausgelernt.
Siehst du Ruthchen, ich hätte dir eine
schöne Frisur gemacht. Mit Löckchen
und alles dran. Na, ich habe alles noch.
Schreibe bald. Herzliche Grüße,
deine Schwester
Hilde
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Liebes Ruthchen!
Ich lerne jetzt Schlosser. Warst du eigentlich schon mal
im Kino? oder in Theater? ...? Ach! so!
Viele Grüße und Küsse,
dein Bruder
Kurt
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Liebe Ruth,
Ich lerne jetzt Graphiker.
Ich gehe schon lange nicht
mehr zur Schule. Viele
Grüße, dein Bruder
Manfred
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Meine kleine Lulle
Sehr erfreut haben mich
deine Zeilen. Sehe ich doch,
dass du gesund bist. Es ist
... früh, ich muss zur Arbeit.
Viele Grüße und Küsse, dein
Sußi
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Liebes Rutchen!
Wir haben uns sehr
gefreut über deinen Brief.
Herzlichen Grüß von deine
Tante Sanni
Gute Gesund-
heit wünsche ich dir.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Dir l. Berthold und Biene herzliche Grüße und vielen Dank von Onkel Dago
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Excellent. You are very kind. Thank you for taking the trouble to do this.
I think I have the gist of the letter but your translation would be great.
Aunt Rosa (Hayes) was a paternal aunt who had long lived in England.
I'm not sure how the Cohns were related, probably through Ruth's maternal grandmother, but Betty / Bertha was in the south of England & Recha in Berlin. She married Fritz Sandberg but was transported to her death in 1943.
The Farrers were Ruth's carers as previously stated, & presumably had a pet dog & a cat.
I suspect Berthold Heymann was a paternal cousin of Ruth. He was married to Ilsa nee Birnbaum & they were in Brussels at the start of the war but died at Auschwitz I believe.
I think you have the siblings correctly, Hilde, Kurt & Manfred.
Margot Heymann / Heimann was a paternal cousin who got to England & married an American serviceman, and then emigrated to the US.
I haven't identified any aunts Lenn (Lena?) or Gladys yet.
I'd assumed the main bit was from Daddy & Mummy but it appears to be an Aunt as you have transcribed. I don't know who that might be. I believe father David Heymann was still with the family at this time.
I don't know who Sussi might be. There was a relative Franziska Heymann but it is a stretch to think it might be her! Likewise Sanni - Franni?
I wonder if the bottom line could be Berthold, Ilsa & Uncle Isador (father of Berthold)?
I think every little clue might be important &, with the benefit of your work here, I will be able to look at other correspondence with fresh eyes.
All the best & thanks again,
Dave
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Thanks for the info Dave. I've just finished the rest of the transcription. I'll post it here below.
I'll make you a translation of everything so that you're sure to not miss a thing.
--- du Tante Rosa geschrieben?
--- sind es für Leute? Spricht die Frau auch nicht
Deutsch? Schreibe uns immer recht ausführlich,
denn wir sind sehr neugierig. Nun mein
klein Lullichen sei nur immer schön brav und
folgsam, dann wirst du es auch gut haben.
Die Leute werden sich dann mit dir freuen.
Lasse es dir in der neuen Heimat weiter recht gut gehen
und denke stehts an deinem Süssi.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Mein liebes Rutchen!
Ich habe mich sehr gefreut, daß du glücklich
in England gelandet bist, und so sehr nett
empfangen wurdest. Das ist wirklich nett.
War unterwegs Revision. die Bestecke
und Löffel habe bitte für Hilla auf.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
in margin:
--- ein Zimmer? Wie
--- schreibe uns ausführlich.
--- Grüße
Hilde
///
ich dir dann bei; ---
Geld zu Porto haben. Liebe ---
mich sehr gefreut, daß du einen
Kanarienvogel hast. Kann er auch singen?
Du hast dir auch immer einen Vogel
gewünscht. Schreibe bitte einen recht langen,
ausführlichen Brief über alles. Wir
freuen uns dann sehr. Soll ich dir neh-
stens durch Hilla mitschicken? Einer
Ball? Oder hast du sonst Wünsche? Ist der
Regenschirm nicht kaputt gegangen?
Tante Betty Cohn ist auch sehr glücklich
in England. Sei recht artig und
lieb, liebes Rutchen, und immer
dankbar für alles. Halte dir deine
Kommode schön in Ordnung. Sei herzlich
gegrüßt und geküßt von deiner dir
Guten Mutti.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
in margin:
--- Trinke kein kaltes
--- bist. Alle sagen, Ruth
--- ist. Ich freue mich auch für dich.
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Great stuff! Thank you very much.
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I suspect Berthold Heymann was a paternal cousin of Ruth. He was married to Ilsa nee Birnbaum & they were in Brussels at the start of the war but died at Auschwitz I believe.
The name following Berthold is Bine/ Biene. This could be short for Sabine, or it was just her nickname.
I haven't identified any aunts Lenn (Lena?) or Gladys yet.
The name is clearly Lenn, but that could easily be referring to Lena.
I'd assumed the main bit was from Daddy & Mummy but it appears to be an Aunt as you have transcribed. I don't know who that might be. I believe father David Heymann was still with the family at this time.
The word is same as 2 lines above, namely Tante. You could find it strange that none of these letters contains a single reference to the father.
I don't know who Sussi might be. There was a relative Franziska Heymann but it is a stretch to think it might be her! Likewise Sanni - Franni?
Maybe the name Sussi isn't referring to a certain Susanne, but is simply someone's nickname. Note that this person's letter does not start with Rutchen, but with Lulle. This I can't translate, but the combination of Lulle & Sussi (maybe equivalent to sweetie, since Suß means sweet in English) makes me wonder. It can't be the language used by lovers, because Ruth is too young for that. Might this be her father writing to her her, using their sweet little nicknames?
I wonder if the bottom line could be Berthold, Ilsa & Uncle Isador (father of Berthold)?
It reads Biene & uncle Dago.. However, there seems to be an extra letter, now hidden in the fold. If you carefully unfold this litle fold, you'll get the whole name.
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Translation, part 1
My Sweet One!
Today we received your lovely letter and were very happy about it. Thank God that you, sweet little Ruth, are healthy. I had already been so very worried. It's wonderful that you are now going to school and that you like it there. Just continue to be a good, hard-working student. How are Mr. Cat and Dog? Please greet them and best wishes from us. And the gentleman at whose house you were once invited for lunch, where the 4-year-old child is. Have you been there again? Do you have several birds, or just one? I was also very pleased about your new coat. It must be really warm. Don't let the dog lick you too much. Wash your hands very often.
Have you heard anything from Aunt Rosa? We haven't heard anything in ages. Aunt Recha has moved away from us. She has married Uncle Fritz. Give Betty Cohn our warm regards. Has Margot allready written?
Sweet little Ruth, write as often as you can. Write again soon with Berthold, and also write to Aunt Lenn and Gladys. They are also very happy, just like we are.
Stay healthy, and you too, my beloved little Ruth. I think about you so very much. Please give our warmest regards to Uncle and dear Aunt Farrer. Many warm greetings and kisses from Your loving Aunt and Mother.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Dear little Ruth,
Thank you for your lines. I see that you now know much more English than I do. Don't completely forget German. This month I finished learning hairdressing. You see, my sweet Ruth, I could have given you a nice hairstyle. With little curls and everything. Well, I still have everything. Write soon.
Warm regards,
Your sister
Hilde
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Dear little Ruth!
I'm now learning to be a locksmith. Have you ever been to the cinema? Or to the theater? ...? Oh! I see!
Many greetings and kisses,
Your brother
Kurt
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Dear Ruth,
I'm now learning to be a graphic designer. I haven't been going to school for a long time.
Many greetings,
Your brother
Manfred
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
My little Lulle
Your lines have made me very happy. I can see that you are healthy. It's ... early, I have to go to work.
Many greetings and kisses,
Your Sußi
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Dear little Ruth!
We were very happy about your letter.
Warm greetings from your
Aunt Sanni
I wish you good health.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
to the sweet Berthold and Biene: Warm greetings and many thanks , from Uncle
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Translation, part 2
Have you written to Aunt Rosa?
What kind of people are they? Does the woman also not speak German? Always write to us in great detail, because we are very curious. Now my little Lullichen, always be nice and obedient, then you will be fine. Then people will be happy with you. Continue to have a good time in your new home and always think of your Süssi (Sweetie?)
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
My dear little Ruth!
I was very happy that you arrived safely in England and were received so nicely. That's really nice. There was an inspection on the way. Please keep the cutlery and spoons for Hilla.
///
---. Dear little Ruth,
I'm very pleased that you have a canary. Can it sing too? You've always wanted a bird. Please write a very long, detailed letter about everything. We would be very happy then. Should I send you something next time through Hilla? A ball? Or do you have any other wishes? And the umbrella, didn't it break?
Aunt Betty Cohn is also very happy in England. Be very good and sweet, dear little Ruth, and always grateful for everything. Keep your dresser nice and tidy. Warm greetings and kisses from your loving Mother.
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Fascinating correspondence Dave. It’s almost of historical significance I think, especially if you can place all the people mentioned into family groups.
Wonderful work Zefiro. Well done!
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It is fascinating, moving stuff Ruskie, and I agree, of historical value. Zefiro's work is indeed wonderful.
The family tree is being slowly pieced together and these letters include as yet unidentified close family - which might, in time explain some DNA matches to Ruth's daughter, for which no obvious connection is yet apparent.
Having such new detailed analysis of correspondence is of great value. I don't want to impose on Zefiro but there are a few other documents which may yield further clues. I'm trying to upload one from Berthold Heymann & Sabine Heymann in Brussels. Again, I think I got the gist but struggled with Sabine's writing on page 1 so may have missed clues.
Rootschat keeps reporting an error asking me to rename the file?
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Sorry! There is already an attachment with the same filename as the one you tried to upload. Please rename the file and try again."
I've tried repeatedly changing file names but still get this?
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I'll try starting a new topic!
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I'll try starting a new topic!
You can only upload files that have an UNIQUE name. Best to add some random characters to the name to be sure that no person before you allready uploaded a file with the same name in the 20 years of existence of this forum.
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Another attempt!
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Brüssel, den 12.9.39
Liebe Ruth!
Gestern erhielt ich einen Brief
von meiner Mutter. In dem Brief
schrieb mir meine Mutter, sie hätte
dir den beigelegten Brief geschickt.
Er ist aber zurück gekommen,
wegen Postsperre von Deutschland
nach England. Ich soll dir nun
auf diesem Wege von hier aus
den Brief senden, was ich auch
hiermit tue.
Wie geht es dir? Wie gefällt es
dir dort? Besser als in Berlin?
Uns geht es gut.
Schreibe uns auch mal.
Ander Mal schreibe ich mehr.
Viel Glück im Neuen Jahr.
Sei vielmals gegrüßt von Berthold.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Liebe Ruth, auch ich will dir im Neuen Jahr
alles Gute wunschen. Laß dich von der Sonne schön
braun brennen und komm ordentlich gesund wie-
der in Berlin an. Hoffentlich bekommst du den
Brussels, 12th of September 1939
Dear Ruth!
Yesterday I received a letter from my mother. In the letter, my mother wrote that she had sent you the enclosed letter. However, it came back due to a postal blockade from Germany to England. She asked me to send you the letter from here, which I am now doing.
How are you? How do you like it there? Better than in Berlin? We are doing well.
Write to us sometime as well.
I'll write more another time.
Good luck in the New Year.
Many greetings from Berthold.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Dear Ruth, I also want to wish you all the best in the New Year. Let yourself get nicely tanned by the sun and come back to Berlin in good health. I hope you receive the
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P2
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Thank you again Zefiro; so swift!
I have to go out now but later, or tomorrow, could add a few more such letters, if that is OK with you?
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The whole letter:
Liebe Ruth, auch ich will dir im Neuen Jahr
alles Gute wunschen. Laß dich von der Sonne schön
braun brennen und komm ordentlich gesund wie-
der in Berlin an. Hoffentlich bekommst du den
Brief. Schreibe uns dann bald recht
ausführlich was du den ganzen Tag
dort machst. Du weißt, wir würden
uns schon darüber freuen.
Viele herzliche Grüße von
Sabine Heymann
Dear Ruth,
I also want to wish you all the best in the New Year. Let yourself get nicely tanned by the sun and come back to Berlin in good health. I hope you receive this letter. Please write to us soon about what you do there all day. You know we would be very happy about that.
Many warm regards,
Sabine Heymann
Maybe this is the Bine from the first letter?
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Thank you again Zefiro; so swift!
I have to go out now but later, or tomorrow, could add a few more such letters, if that is OK with you?
Of course it is OK. Feel free to post all letters or other documents that need an extra pair of eyes to read and/ or translate. I'll be glad to help you unravel your family history.
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Brilliant, thank you Zefiro.
It isn't my family but a friend's wife is daughter of Ruth.
Here is a one sided letter with neat handwriting but which completely defeated me.
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Two remarks:
* The handwriting becomes a bit blurry when magnified. Not a big problem, only a few words remain uncertain in my transcription. If you have a sharper version, please post it.
* This letter is not complete. I do not think the back is missing, as I can see no signs of ink penetrating from the back side. You can check this with the owner. I think there was a second sheet of paper.
I hope the rest of this letter can be found, because I think some important information was about to be revealed.
I'll try to post my text later, but I don't know if I'll succeed.
If I don't, you'll get it tomorow evening.
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Only one word I can't read: the last on this page. Without the rest of the sentence, I just can't tell you what's written there. Sorry for that.
12.9.39
Mein liebes Ruthchen!
Tausend herzlichen Dank für deinen so lieben langen Brief. Ich habe mich ganz
schrecklich gefreut. Vor allen Dingen über die Promptheit mit der du geantwortet
hast. Also erstmal wünsche ich dir alles alles Gute zum morgigem Jahres-
wechsel, bleibe hübsch gesund und mache deinen lieben Eltern weiter Freude.
Ich hoffe das du nicht vergessen hast, das morgen 6.15 Eref Rauch Haschanah
beginnt (5700). Ich gehe wenn es irgendwie möglich ist in die Synagogue.
Aber ich weiss nicht ob im Augenblick Gottesdienst stattfindet. Es wurde
mir naturlich sehr weh tun, da ich ja immer in die Synagogue gegangen bin.
Doch nun zu dir. Ich freue mich sehr, dass es dir gut geht. Sei nur immer
schön artig dort, damit kannst du deinen Eltern nur sehr helfen. Ich glaube
nicht dass du deinen Eltern im Augenblick helfen kannst. Dass du darüber verzwei-
felt bist, kann ich vollständig verstehen. Mir geht es nämlich ganz genau so.
Ich habe hier schon getan, alles was ich nur irgend konnte, war auf dem Kommis,
habe auf Annonçen geschrieben, habe aber nicht das Geringste erreichen können.
Ich würde dir raten, dich mal an deine Leute dort wo du wohnst zu wenden,
denen die Lage deiner Eltern klar machen, und sie bitten ob sie für dich nicht was
schreiben können. Aber ich vermute dass Ihr dann die Antwort bekommt "Ihr müsst
erst mal eine Stellung für sie gefunden haben". Ausserdem glaube ich nicht,
dass du jetzt überhaupt was erreichen kannst. Halt die Ohren steif Ruthchen,
nur den Mut nicht verlieren. Das schlimmste von Allem ist, dass wir unseren
Eltern nicht schreiben können und nichts von ihnen hören. Das ist fast gar nicht
zu ertragen. Geht es dir auch so? Liebes Ruthchen, ich habe eine ganz grosse
Bitte an dich. Hör zu: "Ich habe meine Freundin Susie in Stockholm.
Du kennst sie, glaube ich. Ich darf nicht an sie schreiben, da meine ...
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September 12, 1939
My dear little Ruth!
A thousand thanks from the bottom of my heart for your lovely long letter. I was enormously pleased. Above all, about the promptness with which you answered. So first of all, I wish you all the very best for tomorrow's New Year, stay healthy and continue to bring joy to your dear parents.
I hope you haven't forgotten that tomorrow at 6:15 pm Erev Rosh Hashanah begins (5700). I will go to the synagogue if it's at all possible. But I don't know if services are taking place at the moment. It would of course hurt me very much, as I have always gone to the synagogue.
Now to you. I'm very glad that you're doing well. Always be very good there, that's how you can help your parents the most. I don't think you can help your parents at the moment. I can fully understand that you're desperate about this. It's exactly the same for me.
I've already done everything I possibly could here, was at the employment office, have written to advertisements, but couldn't achieve the slightest thing. I would advise you to turn to the people where you are living, explain your parents' situation to them, and ask if they could write something for you. But I suspect that you'll then get the answer "You must first find a position for them". Besides, I don't think you can achieve anything at all at this moment. Keep your chin up, Ruth, don't lose courage. The worst of all is that we can't write to our parents and don't hear from them. It's almost unbearable. Is it the same for you? Dear Ruth, I have a very big request for you. Listen: "I have my friend Susie in Stockholm. You know her, I think. I'm not allowed to write to her, as my ...
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Brilliant! Thank you again Zefiro. Anne, Ruth's daughter is very grateful & moved by new insights into her mother's past.
I sensed that the one side was not the full letter & asked Anne if she'd overlooked the reverse. She confirmed she hadn't but I'll ask her again to check for a page 2.
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Second pair of eyes requested please Zefiro.
I think I did OK with my translation bur it certainly wasn't up to your standard!
This is from Berthold's mother Betty Heymann, born Berger, & is in large part sharing addresses.
I haven't identified Martin Berger but speculate he was Betty's brother in Breslau.
Franze Heymann hasn't definitely been identified either but she is thought to be sister of Ruth's father, David Heymann. Anne had heard of an aunt with the Anglicised name of Frances but I think she was Francisca or Franziska &, based on a Nazi era record of a person of that name from Zempelburg whence came the Heymanns, I think she was born in 1897 & probably still single when transported.
I forgot to respond to a previous point: The Sabine in Berthold's letter must be Biene & other variants, but I don't know who she was - sister of Berthold perhaps. (Nazi records indicated that Berthold's wife was Ilsa Birnbaum.)
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Geschrieben, den 4. September 1939
Mein liebes, kleines Mädelchen!
Ich danke dir sehr für deinen
Brief, worüber ich mich freue.
Daß du liebes Mädel, dir schon
viele Freunde angeschafft hast,
das glaube ich dir, denn bei
deinem Temperament kann
es dir nicht schwer fallen. Die
Hauptsache ist die: es gefällt
dir dort. Die Langeweile wird
auch vergehen wenn du dich da
richtig eingelebt haben wirst.
Hast du schon die Verwandten
gesprochen? Wenn du mit
ihnen zusammen kommst, dann
grüße von mir. Wird in dem
Hause in dem du bist auch Deutsch
gesprochen, oder bloß Englisch?
Nun will ich dir die Adressen,
die du haben willst, schreiben.
# Martin Berger
Breslau
Steinstraße 18 bei Posner
# Berthold Heymann
Brüssel/ Belgien
Rue de la Violette 19 II
# Fränze Heymann
Berlin N.O. 54
Templinerstraße 7 II
Das Bild, worauf wir zu-
sammen fotografiert sind, haben
wir bekommen. Wir sind gut
getroffen. Willst du auch eins
haben?
Zum Neuen Jahre will ich
dir, liebes Ruthchen, alles Gute
wünschen. Bleibe gesund und
behalte immer deine Lustig-
keit.
Laß wieder von dir hören.
Sei herzlich gegrüßt, auch von
Ilse. Von deiner dich lieb-
habenden Tante Betty.
*******************************************
Written on September 4, 1939
My sweet little girl!
I thank you very much for your letter, which I'm happy about. That you, my sweet girl, have already made many friends, I truly believe. With your temperament it can't be that difficult for you. The main thing is that you like it there. The boredom will also pass when you have properly settled in.
Have you already spoken to the relatives? When you meet them, send my greetings. Is German also spoken in the house where you are, or just English?
Now I want to write you the addresses you want:
1. Martin Berger
Breslau
Steinstraße 18 at Posner's
2. Berthold Heymann
Brussels, Belgium
Rue de la Violette 19 II
3. Fränze Heymann
Berlin N.O. 54
Templinerstraße 7 II
We received the picture where we are photographed together. We look good in it. Do you want one too?
For the New Year, I want to wish you, dear little Ruth, all the best. Stay healthy and always keep your cheerfulness.
Let me hear from you again.
Warm greetings, also from Ilse.
From your loving Aunt Betty
****************************************
1. Steinstraße, Breslau = ulica Kamienna, Wrocław (Poland)
2. Rue de la Violette (French name)= Violetstraat (Dutch name)
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Wonderful work Zefiro.
Here is a short note which does have Mutti & Papa & sister Hilde. I'd be grateful for your expertise yet again please.
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29.9.39
Mein liebes Rutchen!
Wir hoffen daß du gesund
und munter bist. Auch wir
sind wohlauf und denken sehr
viel an dich. Sei unsertwegen
ganz ohne Sorge. Hast du
dich schon eingelebt? Schreibe
bitte an Berthold für uns.
Herzliche Grüße von uns
Allen.
Dein Mutti und Papa.
---
(in margin)
Herrn und Frau F. Viele
herzliche Grüße von uns
*************************
Liebes Ruthchen!
Ja, es ist schade, daß das mit mir
nicht geklappt hat, und ich noch
nicht in London bin. Aber was
nicht ist, kann noch werden.
Ich hoffe, daß du dich dort
wohl fühlst. Grüße bitte Frau
und Herrn Farrar von mir und
sei selbst herzlich gegrüßt von
deiner Schwester
Hilde
///////////////////////////////////////////////////////
September 29, 1939
My dear little Ruth!
We hope that you are healthy and cheerful. We too are well and think very
much of you. Don't worry about us at all. Have you settled in already?
Please write to Berthold for us.
Warm greetings from all of us.
Your Mom and Dad.
---
to Mr. and Mrs. F.:
Many warm greetings from us
*************************************
Dear little Ruth!
Yes, it's a shame that it didn't work out for me, and I'm not
in London yet. But what isn't, can still become.
I hope that you feel at ease there.
Please greet Mrs. and Mr. Farrar from me and also warm greetings to you.
From your sister
Hilde
-
Thanks for such swift work again Zefiro. You contribution to researching this has been fantastic.
I'm waiting on Anne for news of any other documents.
All the best,
Dave
-
Hi Zefiro, I think there are just 3 pages found, that you haven't yet seen. (Sorry they have been prrsented in a jumble.)
Your translation would ensure we miss nothing if you could again oblige please.
I add here 2 sides of a letter written after the War, in Deggendorf Refugee camp, by Cecilie Schlochauer, born Hammerstein, who was Ruth's mother, Martha's, elder half-sister. At this time Cecilie had 3 surviving children: one daughter, Helene, was married with children, married name Sternberg, in Argentina; a son Ludwig was married and in Palestine; another daughter, Betti, was also in Palestine, married name Keyser.
Then there is a single side by an unknown writer who includes a bit of English & mentions Ruth's cousin Manfred Heymann & an unknown Mrs James.
-
Today I have only time for one page, the rest is for tomorrow.
Mein liebes Rutchen
Heute habe deinen Brief von
der Tante bekommen. Das war
comisch, denn ich hatte sie um
deine Adresse gebeten. Da ich
einige mal geschrieben hatte
und die Frau Farrar zweimal
schrieb warum ich nicht schreibe,
so konnte sie meine Briefe nicht
bekommen haben. So I gave it
up for a bad job. Also ich
freue mich das es dir gut
geht. Bist du noch ganz auf
den Posten? Von zuhause höre
ich nichts. Von Mrs. James habe
schon lange nichts gehört.
Von Manfred hore ich nichts.
---
My dear little Ruth,
Today I received your letter from the aunt. That was funny, because I had asked her for your address. Since I had written several times and Mrs. Farrar wrote twice asking why I wasn't writing, she couldn't have received my letters. So I gave it up for a bad job.
Well, I'm glad that you're doing well. Are you still in good shape? I hear nothing from home. I haven't heard from Mrs. James in a long time. I hear nothing from Manfred.
-
Thank you Zefiro. Much appreciated. There is no rush.
-
Some sad news in this one...
I couldn't read the last digit of the year. If I had to guess, I'd say the year is 1942 (but I don't have another 2 to compare with).
Cilly Schlochauer
Deggendorf N.B.
den 11. November 46
Mein geliebtes Ruthel!
Im vorigen Jahr um diese Zeit habe ich
bereits an dich geschrieben, leider hat Tante
Betty Cohn den Brief nicht erhalten. Ich
hoffe, dieser Brief erreicht sie, und du be-
kommst ihn dann. Also geliebtes Kind, ich gra-
tuliere dir recht herzlich zum Geburtstag,
bleibe gesund im neuen Lebensjahr und
lasse es dir recht gut ergehen.
Ich habe sehr viel trauriges durch gemacht. Mein
geliebter Mann, der gute Onkel Hermann starb
im K.Z. Terezin am 18. Mai 1945. Und Lud-
wig in Palestine starb schon im April 194?.
Ich bin fast 4 Jahre aus Berlin fort, seit
Juli 1945 bin ich hier in Deggendorf und warte
auf meine Ausreise zu Tante Betty nach
Palestine. Sie hat vor 3 Jahren geheiratet.
Es geht ihr unberufen gut, sie ist auch
sehr glucklich.
Wo ist dein Vetter Heymann? Der Sohn
von Tante Tilde? Der ging doch auch nach
///
England?
Nun hätte ich gern viel von dir gehört,
über dein Ergehen, und so weiter. Hast du etwas
gelernt? Wenn du nicht mehr deutsch
schreiben kannst, schicke ruhig den Brief
in englischer Sprache. Ich lasse ihn mir
dann übersetzen.
Also, geliebtes Ruthel, erfreue mich bald mit
deinen lieben Zeilen, dann freue ich mich
sehr.
Alles Gute, feiere recht schön, es grüsst
und küsst dich,
Deine dir gute Tante
Cilly Schlochauer
Deggendorf N.B. (13b)
D.P.F. U.S. Zone
Bavaria. Alte Kaserne
German
********
Cilly Schlochauer
Deggendorf N.B.
November 11, 1946
My beloved Ruth!
Last year around this time I already wrote to you, but unfortunately Aunt Betty Cohn did not receive the letter. I hope this letter reaches her, and you then get it. So beloved child, I congratulate you warmly on your birthday, stay healthy in your new year of life and may things go well for you.
I have gone through a lot of sad things. My beloved husband, good Uncle Hermann, died in the Terezin concentration camp on May 18, 1945. And Ludwig in Palestine already died in April 194? (year unclear).
I have been away from Berlin for almost 4 years. Since July 1945 I have been here in Deggendorf waiting for my departure to Aunt Betty in Palestine. She got married 3 years ago. She is doing well, knock on wood, and is also very happy.
Where is your cousin Heymann? Aunt Tilde's son? Didn't he also go to England?
Now I would like to hear a lot from you, about how you are doing, and so on. Have you learned anything? If you can no longer write in German, feel free to send the letter in English. I will then have it translated for me.
So, beloved Ruth, please make me happy soon with your dear lines, then I will be very pleased.
All the best, celebrate nicely, greetings and kisses,
Your loving Aunt
Cilly Schlochauer
Deggendorf N.B. (13b)
D.P.F. U.S. Zone
Bavaria. Old Barracks
Germany
-
Thank you again Zefiro, for your massive help with all this correspondence, putting in so much time & effort.
You have given Anne & family fresh insight into their family tree.
You were right in that Ludwig died in 1942.
All the best,
Dave.