From the Personal Papers of M.K.Schwitzer.
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Correspondence | Timeline | Corresp & Timeline | |
| Ref | Date | Description | Language | Original | Translation |
| 103 | 16-8-1938 | Handwritten postcard from MKS (London) to Anny Schwitzer (Zrinskeho 5/a, Bratislava). Written during summer stay (8-7-1938 to 28-8-1938) in Bexhill to learn English. Note by the car-owning friend with whom MKS drove to England. | DE | ||
| 001 | 8-12-1938 | Typed postcard from MKS (Prague) to Ernö Weisz (Petöfi tér 8, Kassa → Drevny trh 8, Košice, Slovakia source) | HU | ||
| 301 | 6-1-1939 | Typed letter from MKS (on Christmas break home in Bratislava) to Andrew & Edith Fejér who had emigrated to America in 1938, in which MKS grapples with the question of emigration and lists the emigration plans of many Bratislava friends. | DE | ||
| 107 | 7-2-1939 | Letter from his sisters to MKS chiding him for working on a farm instead of studying. See MFTY page 225. | DE | ||
| 002 | 15-3-1939 | Handwritten draft from MKS (Stockbridge) to Ernö Weisz. MKS had been in England for 6 weeks, but is clearly now very concerned for his family's safety in Slovakia. He hopes one sister (Jean Bolton) will join him soon, but needs more time to organise things for the rest of the family. | DE | ||
| 108 | 3-8-1939 | Handwritten letter from MKS to his mother, describing political mood in England. See MFTY 23/239, translation 23/237. | DE | ||
| 003 | 29-1-1940 | Typed letter from MKS (13 Gordon Street, London) to Ernö Weisz. MKS has just started studying at University again. Jean came for the weekend to stay with MKS and Jenö Rees, and will stay again for 2 weeks. MKS gives an update on 4 other friends/relatives. | DE | ||
| 004 | 2-1-1941 | Telegram from Anny, Ernö & Alice Schwitzer (Kassa → Košice, Slovakia) to MKS (32 Grove Road, Stratford on Avon) with New Year wishes | EN | ||
| 005 | 16-6-1941 | Typed letter from Alice Schwitzer (in Kassa → Košice, Slovakia) to MKS ("Dicki") at 105 Shipston Rd, Stratford on Avon. Greetings added by Ernö and 1 other. Handwritten footnote by Alice in characteristic mauve ink to forwarder ("Ernst"). Alice (in an area controlled by Hungary) was unable to travel to Hlohovec/Bratislava (then effectively under German control), so could not be with Grandfather Simon Szilard for his 80th birthday, and has difficulty to manage her affairs there. Her lawyer is no longer practising. MKS's friends Peter Valko [medicine] and Franz Munk are not able to work in their chosen fields. She describes her daily routine in some detail, with Ernö working at a bank. | DE | ||
| 006 | 18-8-1941 | Typed Red Cross Message from Alice Schwitzer (Apponyi Albert u. 2a, Kassa → Pribinova 2a, Košice, Slovakia source) to MKS (105 Shipston Rd, Stratford on Avon). Asks MKS to write via Eugen Hecht in Lisbon in neutral Portugal [see 009]. MKS reply. Date stamps span 4 months. | DE | ||
| 007 | 22-9-1941 | Handritten draft from MKS in London to Alice Schwitzer in Budapest. MKS has been working [at Bamag] for 8 weeks, and describes the office and daily routine, and the room he rents. Jean is now working in London. | DE | ||
| 008 | 22-9-1941 | Handritten draft from MKS to Duci Frankel (049 refers) | DE | ||
| 009 | 16-11-1941 | Typed letter from Jenö Hecht (Lisbon, Portugal) to Alice Schwitzer (Falk Miksa u. 1, Budapest). MFTY page 270 says this was a Residence-Pensione. Forwards letter from MKS. Hecht emigrating to USA next day. | HU | ||
| 010 | 9-2-1942 | Typed Red Cross Message from Alice Schwitzer (Benczur u. 28, Budapest) to MKS (105 Shipston Rd, Stratford on Avon). Ernö Weisz "no longer working". Gives P.O.Box address in Portugal for forwarding post [as no longer possible via writer of 009]. Message made round trip back to Hungary with MKS's handwritten reply dated 24-4-1942, two sets of censor's stamps, date stamps span 3 months. Note by Alice in her mauve ink. | DE DE |
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| 011 | 12-3-1942 | Typed Red Cross Message from Alice Schwitzer (Benczur u. 28, Budapest) to MKS (105 Shipston Rd, Stratford on Avon) with his reply dated 1-8-1942. | DE EN |
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| 012 | 22-4-1942 | Handwritten Red Cross Message from Alice Schwitzer (Benczur u. 28, Budapest) to MKS (105 Shipston Rd, Stratford on Avon) with his reply dated 12-10-1942. | EN DE |
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| 013 | 2-6-1942 | Typed Red Cross Message from Alice Schwitzer (Benczur u. 28, Budapest) to MKS (105 Shipston Rd, Stratford on Avon) with his reply dated 13-10-1942. | DE DE |
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| 014 | 23-7-1942 | Typed Red Cross Message from Alice Schwitzer (Benczur u. 28, Budapest) to MKS (105 Shipston Rd, Stratford on Avon) (reply unused) | DE | ||
| 015 | 20-11-1942 | Typed Red Cross Message from Alice Schwitzer (Benczur u. 28, Budapest) to MKS (Red Cross Message Bureau 35, London) (reply unused) | DE | ||
| 016 | 2-12-1942 | Typed Red Cross Message from Alice Schwitzer (Benczur u. 28, Budapest) to MKS (Red Cross Message Bureau 35, London) with his reply dated 14-2-1943 | DE EN |
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| 017 | 12-12-1942 | Typed Red Cross Message from Ernö Weisz (Benczur u. 28, Budapest) to MKS (Red Cross Message Bureau 35, London) with his reply dated 14-3-1943. | DE EN |
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| 018 | 14-1-1943 | Typed Red Cross Message from Alice Schwitzer (Benczur u. 28, Budapest) to MKS (Red Cross Message Bureau 35, London) (reply unused) | DE | ||
| 019 | 27-2-1943 | Typed Red Cross Message from Alice Schwitzer (Benczur u. 28, Budapest) to MKS (Red Cross Message Bureau 35, London) with his reply dated 25-5-1943. | DE EN |
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| 020 | 24-3-1943 | Typed Red Cross Message from Alice Schwitzer (Benczur u. 28, Budapest) to MKS (Red Cross Message Bureau 35, London) (reply unused) | DE | ||
| 021 | 28-4-1943 | Typed Red Cross Message from Alice Schwitzer (Benczur u. 28, Budapest) to MKS (Red Cross Message Bureau 35, London) with his reply dated 22-8-1943. | DE EN |
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| 023 | 14-5-1943 | Typed letter from Alice Schwitzer in Budapest to MKS in London. Sent via Zigmund Deutsch in Lisbon, Portugal. Alice desperate for news from MKS and Jean and longs to be with them again. She describes restrictions on their existence: Ernö cannot work and has stomach problem, she doesn't know what the next day will bring; Anni & Pali (in Hlohovec) are 'exempted from some decrees' but life difficult and Anni stressed and has fainting fits. Alice gives news of other friends, but many have left. George Polgar finishing his medical studies but 'will not be allowed to work'. Postscript by Deutsch saying he obtained 13 Gordon St address for MKS from Czechoslovak Mission (this is MKS's faculty address, but postal district incorrect), but MKS had not replied. Deutsch going to Argentina at end of July. | DE | ||
| 022 | 22-5-1943 | Typed Red Cross Message from Alice Schwitzer (Benczur u. 28, Budapest) to MKS (Red Cross Message Bureau 35, London) with his reply dated 20-7-1943. | DE DE |
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| 024 | 25-5-1943 | Typed Red Cross Message from Ernö Weisz (Benczur u. 28, Budapest) to MKS (Red Cross Message Bureau 35, London) with MKS reply dated 13-8-1943. | DE DE |
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| 025 | †23-7-1943 | Typed letter from Alice Schwitzer in Budapest to MKS in London. Sent via Zigmund Deutsch in Lisbon, Portugal, who will emigrate to Argentina in August. Alice realises some letters not getting through, so some repetition with 023. She's desperate to hear from MKS and asks him to write more often so one letter might get through. Has comfortable life in two room flat, and was in a spa for 5 weeks, but unable to get travel permit for Slovakia. Anny not been able to get permit to visit Alice in Budapest. | DE | ||
| 027 | *28-7-1943 | Typed Red Cross Message from Ernö Weisz (Benczur u. 28, Budapest) to MKS (Red Cross Message Bureau 35, London) with MKS reply dated 4-9-1943. | DE DE |
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| 026 | 29-7-1943 | Handwritten Red Cross Message from Alice Schwitzer (Benczur u. 28, Budapest) to MKS (Red Cross Message Bureau 35, London) with his reply dated 10-11-1943. | DE DE |
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| 028 | 24-8-1943 | Typed Letter from Alice Schwitzer in Budapest to MKS (103 Gower Street, London) via Portgual and John Bolton's work address. Alice responds to MKS's reply 019, congratulating him on the apartment and new position. Anny was in Budapest for 10 days. Simon Szilard old & sick. Alice's furniture stored in Hlohovec [so they no longer have Bratislava flat]. Ernö getting used to being unemployed. Alice spent 5 weeks in a spa. Notes by Ernö and Anny. Sent via Zigmund & Martin Deutsch in Lisbon. Envelope postmarked 2-11-1943 with Hotel Central address, language specified, and censor's re-sealing tape. | DE | ||
| 029 | 8-9-1943 | Typed Red Cross Message from Alice Schwitzer (Benczur u. 28, Budapest) to MKS (Red Cross Message Bureau 35, London) and MKS reply dated 4-1-1944. | DE EN |
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| 030 | 25-9-1943 | Handwritten Red Cross Message from Alice Schwitzer (Benczur u. 28, Budapest) to MKS (Red Cross Message Bureau 35, London) and MKS reply dated 8-2-1944. | DE EN |
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| 031 | 22-10-1943 | Typed Red Cross Message from Alice Schwitzer (Benczur u. 28, Budapest) to MKS (Red Cross Message Bureau 35, London) (reply unused) | EN | ||
| 032 | 20-11-1943 | Typed Red Cross Message from Alice Schwitzer (Benczur u. 28, Budapest) to MKS (Red Cross Message Bureau 35, London) (reply unused) | DE | ||
| 033 | †28-11-1943 | Typed Letter from Alice Schwitzer (Budapest) to MKS (London). Footnote by Ernö Weisz. Sent via Zigmund Deutsch in Lisbon, Portugal. Times are "very, very hard", "life continues "calmly on the surface" but "inside it's a struggle". It's 5 years since Alice saw MKS and Jean. Boris has managed to get travel permit to visit Slovakia. Anni & Pali asking for permit to visit Alice at Christmas. Letter mentioned on page 38 of MFTY Ch6, re Anni & others' visit to Simon Schwitzer's grave in Tepličky which they found decorated with flowers. | DE | ||
| 034 | 19-12-1943 | Typed Red Cross Message from Alice Schwitzer (Benczur u. 28, Budapest) to MKS (Red Cross Message Bureau 35, London) (reply unused) | DE | ||
| 039 | about 25-1-1944 |
Typed Letter from Alice Schwitzer to Jean Bolton and MKS in England. Signed also by Ernö Weisz. Sent via Zigmund Deutsch in Lisbon, Portugal, who is about to leave for Argentina. Date deduced from first para and Deutsch's footnote. Alice writes about Christmas with Anny & Pali in Budapest, and that she is enjoying the city life with theatre, cinema, friends and courses. Stefan Schwitzer stayed with them for a few days. She exchanges news of various friends and asks about Jean's & MKS's Christmases and news. | DE | ||
| 035 | 26-1-1944 | Typed Red Cross Message from Alice Schwitzer (Benczur u. 28, Budapest) to Jean Bolton (Red Cross Message Bureau 201, London) (reply unused) | DE | ||
| 036 | 27-2-1944 | Typed Red Cross Message from Alice Schwitzer (Benczur u. 28, Budapest) to MKS (Red Cross Message Bureau 35, London). Alice had stayed with her sister Boris Polgar, and will soon go on a spa stay (a Christmas present from Ernö) (reply unused). | DE | ||
| 101 | 25-4-1944 | Typed postcard from Anny Adler (Hlohovec) to Alice Schwitzer (Benczur u. 28, Budapest). From page 322 of MFTY, translation is on MFTY page 320. | DE | ||
| 037 | 28-4-1944 | Typed postcard from Anny Adler (Hlohovec) to Alice (Budapest). Says she is worried about Ernö, misses her mother, feels nervous, and didn't show Alice's last card to her grandfather. | DE | ||
| 104 | 12-5-1944 | Handwritten postcard from Boris Polgar (postmark Gyöngyös) to Alice Schwitzer (Benczur u. 28, Budapest). Written in pencil whilst being forced to leave her home. From MFTY page 317, translation is on MFTY page 314. | HU | ||
| 105 | 18-5-1944 | Handwritten two page letter from Boris Polgar
to Alice Schwitzer (Benczur u. 28, Budapest).
Written inside Gyöngyös Ghetto* and smuggled out.
They have the 2 weeks of food they brought with them,
are surrounded by barbed wire and watched by police. Details the work
they are forced to do. They heard their son George Polgar
is working as a doctor at Jolsva⁑ in a camp of 2000 people.
From MFTY page 318, translation MFTY page 315. * See this Jewish heritage site: "In late-May of 1944, the Jews of Gyöngyös were rounded up and forcibly moved to a ghetto, confined under a regime of forced labour and, in mid-June of 1944, deported to Auschwitz." ⁑ Jolsva (now Jelšava in Slovakia), 130km north of Gyöngyös, was in the area annexed by Hungary under the First Vienna Award. |
HU | ||
| 106 | 16-5-1944 | 'Mother's Testament', from Alice Schwitzer (Benczur u. 28, Budapest)
to her three children, MKS, Anni Adler & Susi (Jean Bolton).
Things are getting worse, but she has not given up hope.
She has not been in the street for weeks, other than to go to church.
In addition to all the deportations and imprisonments, now [Allied*] bombing of Budapest has started.
Amidst the pain of separation, and fearing she will never see her children again,
she puts her faith in god, with many personal expressions of love and regret.
She writes that she completed it on 16-5-1944.
Translation MFTY Appendix A page 346. * American and British air raids flying from Foggia and Bari in southern Italy started on 3-4-1944, long before Soviet ground forces entered Hungary (Sep44) and the Siege of Budapest (Dec44 to Feb45). |
DE | ||
| 038 | Jun 1944 | Typed Red Cross Message from Alice Schwitzer (Budapest) to MKS (London). Says she is going to travel back to Hlohovec to stay with Anny, implying that she will travel without Ernö (reply unused). See page 321 of MFTY. | DE | ||
| 102 | 20-8-1944 | Typed Red Cross Message from Alice Schwitzer (Hlohovec) to MKS in London. Written after managing to travel back to Slovakia. On page 316 of MFTY. | EN | ||
| 040 | 9-8-1945 | Typed Letter from Pali Adler (Bratislava) to Jean Bolton and MKS in London, sent via Leslie Eggerton. This important letter is how MKS learned of the fate of his mother Alice, sister Anny and other family members. Says that Alice, Anny and Pali were deported from Slovakia on 2-12-1944. Asks for Power of Attorney to deal with Stefan Schwitzer's farm at Janikovce. Source for page 321 of MFTY. | SK | ||
| 041 | 23-8-1945 | Power of Attorney by MKS (103 Gower Street, London). in favour of Pali Adler (Venturska 7, Bratislava) to act in matters regarding Stefan Schwitzer. Witnessed by the Czechoslovak Embassy in London. | CZ | ||
| 048 | 4-9-1945 | Handwritten airmail letter and envelope from Iolanda ("Iolly") Sipos? (Zürich) to MKS (103 Gower Street, London). The writer appears to have been a good friend of Alice Schwitzer, whom whe refers to as 'Litzka'. Writer was in Belsen for 6 months, adding that 'she is a living example that one can bear it'. She offers to help MKS trace his family, and says not to lose hope. Year unclear from postmark, but assumed to be 1945 from contents. | DE | ||
| 042 | Feb 1946 | Typed Letter from Béla Szemző (Budapest) to MKS (London), carried to England by a Hungarian diplomat. Reports the fate of Béla's immediate family, and the Szorenyi and Polgar relatives. | HU | ||
| 043 | 23-4-1946 | Typed Letter from Pali Adler (Bratislava) to Jean Bolton ("Susi"). Pali has collected Alice and Ernö's things from Budapest, and believes Alice's jewellery is in a Swiss bank. He is in touch with Ernö's family in Košice, who are hard up. Pali says he will get an English visa so he can drive to England, and asks for cigarettes and chocolate. | DE | ||
| 044 | 10-5-1946 | Typed Letter from Pali Adler (Bratislava) to Jean Bolton (England). Says he will travel to Geneva and England. Provides news of several family members' whereabouts and fate. | DE | ||
| 045 | 17-5-1946 | Handwritten letter from Jean Bolton (Canterbury) to MKS. Encloses two recent letters from Pali (presumably 043 and 044). | EN | ||
| 046 | 19-6-1946 | Handritten letter from Jean Bolton (Canterbury) to Banque Intermédiaire des Valeurs non Cotées, Geneva. Authorisation for MKS to act on her behalf regarding the deposit box of Alice Schwitzer. Sent to MKS at 52 Leinster Square, Bayswater (postmark 21-6-1946, month uncertain). | EN | ||
| 047 | 7-7-1946 | Typed Letter from Pali Adler (temporarily in Geneva) to MKS (Paris/London), discussing financial matters. Pali describes MKS’s parents as being in poor financial circumstances before they died, listing various debts, including some to himself and his business associate. He constructs a case for using Alice's jewellery towards repaying the debts. No evidence is provided or promised. Some of Pali's claims appear opportunistic. | DE | ||
| 201 | 14-4-1955 | Handwritten Airmail Letter from MKS (London) to Béla Szemző (Budapest) | DE | ||
| 202 | 10-12-1955 | Handwritten Letter from MKS (London) to Béla Szemző (Budapest) | DE | ||
| 203 | 25-1-1960 | Handwritten Letter from MKS (London) to Béla Szemző (Budapest) | DE | ||
| 204 | 26-4-1970 | Handwritten Letter from MKS (London) to Béla Szemző (Budapest) | DE | ||
| 049 | May 1985 | Handwritten Letter from Jean Bolton (Lyndhurst) to MKS (Highgate, London), commenting on a draft of MKS's memoirs, and reflecting on her early years. Refers to Anni & Duci Frankel. | EN |
Your assistance with translations and interpretation of this archive will be greatly appreciated, please send all updates, material and suggestions to William Schwitzer.
MKS = Mat Schwitzer
MFTY = "My First Thirty Years", MKS's memoirs
* censor's date (typically about a month after sending), as message undated
† forwarder's date, as sender's date is unclear
Items 0nn are the main archive of wartime correspondence. WPS has the original documents.
Items received by Alice & Ernö were given to MKS after the war by Pali Adler, see MFTY page 237.
Items 1nn are from MFTY, in most cases LAS has the originals.
Items 2nn are from the personal papers of Béla Szemző, for which ZS has the originals.
Items 3nn are from Andrew & Edith Fejér's archive, sent by their daughter Ilona (Bia) Wiss.