Genealogy Chat

Just a thought (shoot me down in flames) but if Heinz is still a practicing Jew (which is pretty likely) can we find a local synagogue and perhaps speak to the Rabbi before approaching Heinz. Good idea or not?

Ring or write is a hard call. If he has a son living with him we could assume that at some stage he got on with his life whether he knew about Herta or gave up on her, I'd like to think he knew and was able to move on. The not knowing would be worse. On second thoughts I think it might be better to ring and see if you can speak to the children first. That way if it is a problem or shock to him we know someone is home with him. Writing a letter could mean he reads it on his own. It is likely that the children know the story anyway or at least part of it. On a selfish point of view though a phone call is quicker. Thats my thoughts Toni

Ring! If you call about 7.30 in the evening one of the others will probably answer the phone anyway and you can feel your way from there. A five hour time difference between UK and New York I think (do your phone books have time differences, like we do in Australia?) Victoria

Maybe Howard is Heinz's son. and Karen his daughter in law? maybe Heinz's is living with them as he is 86 years old?, if it is the right Heinz's....... I am reading it that he waited a few years, until his early thirty's anyway, before he got married, was he waiting/checking for Herta all of that time.....Did he ever find any answers, do we have all his answers. I do hope so......Lilly

I think Heather's idea is sound. This is an old man not just an entry in an archive. We dont't want to upset him too much. Pauline

i know new york is 5 hours behind us if thats anyhelp is it worth getting either the london paper or the archives to ring either the synagog and find out if he goes there or the social security place( or whater ever is the version of our local council or records office ) and find out if he is the right one first may get a shock if hes told info that doesnt correspond with him

Maybe we should get a list of questions ready for our caller. My questions to start off are: How long had he know Herta? When or did he find out she had died? How did she die? Has he had a happy life since? Toni

Tomorrow is Friday. I don't thnk we should call any Jewish people that day. I would think it's a special family day for them. Gwyn

Thanks, Karen. So I could actually call when I get back from the show tonight. If I call around midnight our time (London time) it should be around 7pm US time - I think that's quite a good time to call, don't you? I will be extremely tactful and polite - and I shall ask to speak to Karen Boley. If she's anything like us women on here, she'll understand the sentimental reasons behind the call (hopefully). As soon as I find out one way or the other if we are on the right track I shall log on and let you all know. I won't be bombarding them with questions, though. I will give them the brief outline of what we have (I don't think I will mention straight off about Herta's death) and who we are looking for and if they confirm that he is the right chap, then I shall tell them that I will contact the Lambeth Archives/SLP and, if they are happy about it, someone will be in touch with them about Herta's belongings. But if they start asking questions and wanting to know more, of course I'll fill them in. Oh yes...seeing as I've never phoned US before...does anyone know what the code is from England?

the code to USA is 1 and the manhattan code is 212 good luck!!

Make sure you get them to write down your phone number or email even if Karen says their Heinz is the wrong man....... You don't want her asking him afterwards and him saying......''It's me!!'' and then she has no way to contact you! Hubby says 001 is dialing code for US and then leave off the 0 (if there is one) at the start of the phone number. Merry

Am I right in thinking you will need to dial 00 first, then 1. PS Have been following your story - hope the phone call is successful.

No Gwyneth, I think Friday is ok, before sunset that is. Shabbat is Friday sunset until Saturday sunset. This is truly a fascinating story....I have been following it, can't wait for a letter to get there and be or not be answered. I think someone should phone..but speak to the son first, not Heinz, it could be too much of a shock. Supposing he doesn't know she died. Supposing he waited and waited for her to come.

Hi Elaine, yes i think it would be 01 then 212 then their phone number

Oh, just read the plan...this darned computer is so slow!!! Great idea...will you post on here immediately after the call pleeeeeeeze. Karen

001 then 212 then their phone number

Athena , Please call this evening and speak to Howard or Karen, ask if Henry came to USA from Germany to stay with friend Julius Weinberg. Explain that a suitcase was found after 60 years containing belongings and given to archives and a story in the local newspaper, in the suitcase were letters from a Heinz Boley and say that's the person we are trying to trace about the contents of the case and just take it from there. I am also going out this evening but once I come back home I will come online and see how things have progressed. Carolx

Thanks, Karen. I read the posts above about contacting a synagogue but that might take a while to find his nearest one and then trying to find someone to contact there and even then they may not give out any personal information. I'm trying to put myself in his shoes...even if he did eventually find out what happened to Herta and managed to move on with his life, he may like to have one last read of those letters or see the photos, for old times sake. And if he didn't find out what happened to her then at least he'll understand now and be able to put closure on it. You just never know. I don't think you ever forget your first love, do you? I know I haven't.

Google has an entry for a Hertha Loebenstein, to do with a ships passenger list, SS Mouzinho. Looks to be something to do with a relative, am sure somebody here will understand it! :)) Chris :) (apologies if this has already been mentioned!)

Athena, That's a good idea, he might like to read the newspaper article too. I know I would in a similar situation, like you said, you never forget a first love. Karen