Genealogy Chat

What a sad story, wonder how she did die? she must have relatives somewhere, those possessions and letters should definately find their way into the hands of a family member. I will follow this thread with interest...Well done everyone for unearthing the information that you have

Ok just reading over the story for all who are following, Post card written to Cilly Ullman, 238 Croxted Road SE24 from Jewish Refugees Committee no date but asking Mrs Ullman to tell Herta to get in touch with a banker to arrange luggage affair to usa. The suitcase has been in someone's attic for 60years she went to stay with a relative as above in Croxted Rd and moved on from there to Half Moon Lane to work as a servant and that is where the suitcase was found last year. One letter dated Nov 1, 1939 is from Herta's uncle Moritz in Rotterdam and say's he is hoping to leave for America, Moritz,his wife, and daughter are though to have died in Auschwitz in 1944.

How slow am i !!!! death hertha loebowstein(20) sep 1940 camberwell 1d 935 And once again WELL DONE EVERYBODY

If the death cert was available then the cause of death might be there.? and the circumstances, she might even have been knocked down in the blackout..........well done you lott!! Bob.

My interest is arused, well done all of you. Rod

Can't Cilly Ullman, 238 Croxted Road SE24 be traced through electoral rolls? Or is thee a ful name for the uncle to see if he got to America?

i am so impressed by the sory and by you all i am hooked now and will want to get to know the full story beginning to end BIG WELL DONE love linda x x

What a story!! Well done all you detective peeps to have come up with hat you have so far......I'm watching this space....hoping for a happy (?) peaceful ending to the story. Karen

The Jewish Refugee Committee would surely have details of her family both here and in Germany and also of Heinz or whoever she planned to stay with on arrival in the USA.

Great work everyone !! Better than any Catherine Cookson. Jean

Been thinking about our Herta on and off all day, could she have been part of the Kindership program? it started on 1st Dec 1938, quote: 'strict conditions were placed upon the entry of the children. The agencies (Britain that is) promised to fund the operation and to ensure that none of the refugees would become a financial burden on the public. Every child would have a guarantee of £50 (approximately US$4000 in today's currency) to finance his or her eventual re-emigration, as it was expected the children would stay in the country only temporarily. (A comparable U.S. effort to absorb up to 10,000 refugee children by relaxing restrictive immigration statutes failed to even make it out of Congressional committees debating the issue.) unquote, now all children had to be 17 or under to take part in , which she possiblly could have been, also note the part about re-emigration possibly to the USA, Carol also writes that Herta was asked to report to a Banker to sort out details about her trip to USA...possibly again to meet up with Heinz again.....I'afraid I don't have any knowledge of Jews, but if there is a Jewish refugee committe in or around London, I would be quite happy to check it out......any advise or suggestions more than welcome.......Lilly ps Carol have you heard from the Local Newspaper today?

Can't wait to find out what happens. Viv

Waiting to see what happens Mavis

This could make a good television programme, couldnt it.

adding so I can find again - even sadder than Anne Frank

I had a quick scour over the Times looking for relevant articles of air raids on 12th Spetember and it mention raids hitting hospitals and residential parts of SOuth/South East London. there was also one report from South LOndon of a house collapsing on top of an Anderson shelter with people inside. No names or specific locations tho - but there were definitely raids that night. I can't look them up again as I'm in the office and my TDA passwords are at home If I get a chance I may sneak to the library here and see if I can find copies of the daily Mirror from the 1940s to see what they say about it Zoe

Hi - yes I read this article in the South London Press, too. There were some lovely photos of Herta's family and her fiancee in a car with 3 of his buddies in Coney Island. He looked so happy. It is such a tragic story. I don't understand how their researchers failed to find what you all have uncovered by simply checking the obvious sites for deaths etc. Perhaps they were pushed for time and didn't manage to get that far before it went to print. Anyway, I bet they are thrilled to hear that their story has made such an impact on us all. It does sound like the sort of thing that would make a good TV drama! Let's hope the SLP respond soon - maybe they'll do a follow-up article! From past experience of writing to them on various topics, I do know that sometimes they do not acknowledge your emails/letters but then you find that your email/letter has been printed in the following issue! So, even if you don't hear back from them this week - check Friday's edition, Carol, as they may print something of your email in there.

I'ts almost as though Herta wishes to have this suitcase found and complete her life story. Julie

I don't usually come on tips in summer but took a quick peek and I'm hooked:) Adding so that I can find it again. Well done:) Chrissie

Just found found this. Fascinating will be following with interest. Such a sad story hope that some of her family or his are still around and the case can be reunited with someone. Germaine x