Born in Seebach, Zurich, did an apprenticeship before emigrating to New Zealand in 1950 with her husband. Later established their own hairdressing business.
Messmer, Ruth, 1921-
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Audio
Interview with Ruth Messmer
Date: 05 02 01 - 05 Feb 2001
From: Swiss migration and settlement in New Zealand 1935-1955 oral history project
By: Messmer, Ruth, 1921-
Reference: OHInt-0597/6
Description: Ruth Messmer was born in Seebach, Zurich in 1921. Describes completing an apprenticeship and working in offices before emigrating to New Zealand in 1950, with her husband Hans Messmer. Talks about the journey to New Zealand by ship, first impressions of Wellington, first accommodation, finding work, settling in socially, their first New Zealand holiday, the decision to stay in New Zealand. Talks about visits from her mother, starting their hairdressing business, trips back to Switzerland, setting up hairdressing apprenticeships in New Zealand. Talks about the Swiss Club, learning the English language, things she misses about the Swiss culture, and the reasons some Swiss migrants returned to Switzerland. Interviewer(s) - Joan Waldvogel Arrangement: Tape numbers - OHC-9525 - 9526 Quantity: 2 C60 cassette(s). 1 transcript(s). 1 interview(s). 2 Hours Duration. Finding Aids: Abstract Available - transcript(s) available OHA-3235, 'Typescript' - slightly edited. Search dates: 1935 - 1955