Refugees - Germany

Date: 1939 - 1992

By: Seresin, Harry, 1919-1994

Reference: MS-Group-1618

Description: Papers consist of material relating to the Downstage Theatre, Wellington Settlement Restaurant, Wellington Cafe and Gallery and the Taj Mahal bistro/gallery. Also, a large amount of personal correspondence, diaries, financial papers and other papers relating to his enterprises. Source of title - Supplied by Library Relationship complexity - For further Downstage records see 77-009 and AO-79-175; for further records of the Wellington Settlement Restaurant and Gallery see 85-001. Harry Seresin, originally a Lithuanian Jewish emigre, was a Wellington businessman and co-founder of the Downstage Theatre as well as being the creator of Wellington's cafe culture, setting up cafes in Lambton Quay and Willis Street and a gallery/restaurant at the Taj Mahal off Kent Terrace. Quantity: 126 folder(s). 1 folder(s) AI. 2 Linear Metres. Provenance: The first collection of Harry Seresin's papers, concerning the Downstage Theatre, were donated in 1991. A final collection, containing much of his personal papers, were donated by his estate in 2007. There is further Seresin material in the Downstage collection, while the records of the Wellington Settlement Restaurant and Gallery arrived seperately in 1985, and are held under that name. Transfers: Photographs of Harry Seresin and of his coffee bar above Parson's Books, together with posters from the Settlement, transferred to Photographic Archive, where they are held at PAColl-9209, and Ephenera Collections - To Photographic Archive - Photographs - To Ephemera Collection - Posters and notices.

Date: 21 Feb 1985

From: European refugees to New Zealand - oral history interviews

By: Heymann, Ursula, 1906-1990

Reference: OHInt-0009/01

Description: Ursula Heymann was born in Leobschutz, Germany, in 1906. Recalls how she and her first husband, who was Jewish, and their daughter Gabrielle, escaped from Germany to Switzerland, and how they chose to come to New Zealand rather than Brazil or Israel. Mentions Miss McKenzie and Professor Wood.Travelled from Italy to Australia on the `Remo' and from Australia to New Zealand on the `Aotea'. Describes their arrival in New Zealand in 1940, their accommodation and the help provided by various agencies. Talks about the death of her husband. Talks about working in a cake shop in Roxburgh St and buying a cake shop business in Karori. Access Contact - see oral history librarian Venue - Wellington Other - no biographical information available Interviewer(s) - Dr Ann Beaglehole Venue - Wellington Arrangement: Tape numbers - OHC-003819 Quantity: 1 C60 cassette(s). 1 transcript(s). 1 interview(s). 1 Hours Duration. Finding Aids: Abstract Available - transcript(s) available OHA-1615. Search dates: 1985

Date: 19 Nov 1984

From: European refugees to New Zealand - oral history interviews

By: Rothmann, Siegfried, 1908-1985

Reference: OHInt-0009/07

Description: Siegfried Rothmann describes childhood and adult life in pre-war Berlin as a member of a Jewish family, his education, and emigration, with his wife, to Italy and from there to New Zealand. Gives impressions of New Zealand, and describes his Jewish community and attitudes to enemy aliens. Describes reasons why his wife was unable to practice medicine, despite having trained in Italy - refers to Treaty of Reciprocity between Italy and Britain and Commonwealth Countries. Mentions Mr Eton Hurley, Refugee committee; Mr Parry, Minister of Internal Affairs; Bob Semple, Minister of Works; and R A Lachore. Access Contact - see oral history librarian Venue - Wellington: 1984 Other - no biographical details available Interviewer(s) - Dr Ann Beaglehole Venue - Wellington Abstracted by - Copyright held by Ann Beaglehole Arrangement: Tape numbers - OHC-003823 Quantity: 1 C60 cassette(s). 1 transcript(s). 1 interview(s). 1 Hours Duration. Finding Aids: Abstract Available - transcript(s) available OHA-1611. Processing information: Recorded update February 2022 to correct the spelling of R A Lochore.

Date: 18-21 Dec 1984

From: European refugees to New Zealand - oral history interviews

By: Einhorn, Ester, 1913-2010; Einhorn, Helmut, 1911-1988

Reference: OHInt-0009/05

Description: In a joint interview, Mr and Mrs Einhorn describe their life and some of their background in Germany and their decision to leave in 1939. They talk about: reasons for choosing New Zealand, their marriage before leaving (Feb 1939); voyage to New Zealand and experiences of life in New Zealand as technically enemy aliens during World War II. They recall in detail their impressions of New Zealand life as against life in Germany; relationships with other refugees, and Helmut Einhorn's subsequent career as an architect. Refs to coffee shop `French Maid' on Lambton Quay (after Stewart Dawsons on the left hand side). Access Contact - see oral history librarian Venue - Wellington Other - Very little biographical information given Interviewer(s) - Dr Ann Beaglehole Venue - Wellington Arrangement: Tape numbers - OHC-003799-OHC-003801 Quantity: 3 C60 cassette(s). 1 interview(s) (joint). 3 Hours Duration. Finding Aids: Abstract Available - transcript(s) available OHA-1612.

Date: 18 Oct 1984

From: European refugees to New Zealand - oral history interviews

By: Halberstam, Lucie Martha, 1931-

Reference: OHInt-0009/16

Description: Lucie Halberstam recalls her childhood as one of the German-speaking minority in Czechoslovakia, her father's work in an oil refinery, his treatment after the German Occupation, and the family's decision to emigrate to New Zealand. Describes her childhood impressions of New Zealand's attitude towards `friendly' (i.e. Czech) aliens, speaking German; Czech and other refugee social and cultural clubs; parents' adjustment to life in New Zealand. As a child of a Jewish-Gentile marriage, she provides insight and comments on the New Zealand Jewish Community from a partially `inside' and partially `outside' perspective. Access Contact - see oral history librarian Venue - Wellington Interviewer(s) - Dr Ann Beaglehole Venue - Wellington Arrangement: Tape numbers - OHC-003802-003803 Quantity: 2 C60 cassette(s). 1 transcript(s). 1 interview(s). 2 Hours Duration. Finding Aids: Abstract Available - transcript(s) available OHA-1614.

Date: 17 Aug 1998

From: New Zealand involvement in the Spanish Civil War

By: Trussell, William Charles, 1920-2009

Reference: OHInt-0442-04

Description: Bill Trussell was born in Wanganui in 1920. Describes his family background and childhood, attending Canterbury University College and the role of politics in his family. Mentions his parents were orchestral musicians and had contact with Jewish refugees from Germany and Austria who were musicians. Comments on his reaction to the outbreak of the Spanish Civil War and his hopes for the republican government in Spain. Discusses support for the activities of the Spanish Medical Aid Committee. Describes coverage by the `Workers' Weekly' and `Tomorrow'. Mentions Winston Rhodes, the Left Book Club and the cooperative bookshop in Christchurch. Comments on the policy of non-intervention which in practice meant that British and French navies prevented arms getting to the republicans while the Italians and Germans got arms to Franco. Mentions Bill Jordan. Describes his feelings at the end of the Spanish Civil War and the inevitability of World War II. Describes being at university and Teachers' College simultaneously from 1938 to 1941 and then being manpowered to teach at Taihape during the war. Describes his family's sponsorship of a German refugee, Kate Frank. Discusses her time in Spain, relationships with the Communist Party and Russian secret police, how she came to New Zealand and the origins of his involvement. Explains how he came to work for the Spanish Republican Govenrment in Exile, based in Paris, and its role in assisting Spanish refugees. Mentions he was a music student in France. Discusses Alvarez del Vayo and Prieto, a function attended by Picasso, his dealings with Pau Casals, impressions of El Campesino and the death of Lorca. Recalls the betrayal and capture of Spanish communists in France. Summarises the achievements and failings of the Government in Exile. Comments that his experiences were the result of personal relations as well as his convictions. Interviewer(s) - Michael O'Shaughnessy Accompanying material - Photocopy of photo of Bill Trussell in 1998 Quantity: 2 C60 cassette(s). 1 printed abstract(s). 1 transcript(s). 1 interview(s). 2 Hours Duration. Finding Aids: Abstract Available - abstracting complete abstract and transcript available - OHA-2920. Search dates: 1920 - 1998

By: Vandewart, Marie, 1911-2006

Reference: 2006-266

Description: Music programmes relating to the career of Marie Vandewart, musician, from pre World War 2 Germany, postwar England, and New Zealand during war, then from 1950s on. Includes concerts she performed in, and others that interested her. Also her correspondence with husband Alphons and sisters Eva and Gertrude, and others. Messages from musicians sent on her 90th birthday. Reminiscences (incomplete). Some photographs of her as a musician. . Part of the Archive of New Zealand Music Quantity: 1 box(es). 0.15 Linear Metres.

Date: 1932-1939

From: Chapman, Eichelbaum and Rosenberg families : Papers

Reference: Series-4317

Description: Correspondence to and from German Jews, usually related to the Eichelbaum family, wishing to to leave Nazi Germany. Also correspondence with government departments. Many of the letters are in German. Quantity: 16 folder(s).

Date: 1951

Reference: MS-Papers-2636

Description: The Declaration is in German, Czech, Polish and Hungarian. It complains about poor conditions on the voyage from Naples. Source of title - Transcribed The Goya brought displaced persons from European camps in 1951, landing them at Wellington on 14 Aug 1951. They included Czech, Polish, Slovak German, and Hungarian refugees. Quantity: 1 folder(s) (13 leaves). Physical Description: Ms (photocopy), typescript Provenance: Donor/Lender/Vendor - Donated by Mrs L Vondruska, Wellington, 1983