Letter from Sigrid Marcus
Image Slideshow
Gerda left Nazi Germany for England in 1939 with the hope that her sister, Sigrid, and their mother would soon follow. Writing from Germany, Sigrid asks for Gerda’s help in finding a way out of Germany. This letter is the last piece of correspondence between the sisters. Unable to emigrate, Sigrid briefly went into hiding with her mother before moving to the Berlin ghetto. They were deported to Auschwitz in 1943 where both were murdered.
Donated to the Vancouver Holocaust Education Centre by Barbara Eisinger. RA009-02-00-01-01
Transcript
[Translation from the original German.]
[Page one]
Dear Gerda,
I read your last letter, but didn’t have time to respond. I’m always so tired, so please don’t be angry with me. I’m still tired.
On the day I received your letter, I also received a letter from [K...] in which he told me that he tried everything [...] to remind him to find out if immigration to Egypt is possible. Again, do you know anything about this or can you find out? You did me a big favour once [...] to me, everything is equal. I don’t care what happens; I would like to get out. Maybe you have already forgotten that I am envious of you.
I’m very content. Mother bought me a hand sewn [dress] and I would like her to sew a lining in it. I have an easy job and Mother earns [...]
[Page two]
We received your coffee. Thank you very much. Mother would like to know how much the [...] cost, as well as how much the coffee cost.
We currently have a guest who is a colleague from work, Margo [Bratz]. She is on vacation for seven days and is staying with us. This is very pleasant because she is not familiar with [...]
The weather here is very nice. I think the weather must also be nice where you are. Have you any news from cousin Hans? Write me if you do. Many thanks for your English newspaper. I will send German news in English next time. You need to know what is going on here.
Until I [...] Greetings and I wish you all the best. I am thinking of you.
Your sister, Sigi
C’est la vie [it’s life]
but I don’t care
Mother sends [...] blessings