Postcard from 1939 Germany

[Zefiro]

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.

[uptodat]

Great stuff! Thank you very much.

[Zefiro]

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.

[Zefiro]

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

[Zefiro]

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.

[Ruskie]

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!

[uptodat]

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?

[uptodat]

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?

[uptodat]

I'll try starting a new topic!