Overview
- Brief Narrative
- Travel sewing kit with 19 items, such as a thimble, snaps, needles, and thread bought for 11 year old Lilli (Karoline) Schischa to take on the Kindertransport from Austria to Great Britain on July 13, 1939. In March 1938, Nazi Germany marched into Austria and made it part of the Third Reich. Jewish persecution. The clothing store owned by Lilli's parents, Wilhelm and Johanna, in Wiener Neustadt was seized. Lilli's brother, Edi, age 24, left for Palestine in October 1938. Her father was arrested during the Kristallnacht pogrom that November, but released after ten days. Her parents were able to get Lilli out of the country, but in February 1941, they were deported to the ghetto in Opole, Poland. They perished in the ghetto or in Sobibor death camp. Lilli returned to Vienna ca. 1947.
- Date
-
emigration:
1939 July 13
- Geography
-
received:
Wiener Neustadt (Austria)
- Credit Line
- United States Holocaust Memorial Museum Collection, Gift of Lilli Schischa Tauber
- Markings
- b. top, center, on sticker, blue ink : Arzte=Kalendar / 1939 / Chemiſche Fabrik Tempelhof / Preuß & Temmler / BERLIN
d. front of snap card, blue, white, and gold ink : WALDES / MIT DEM / PASSLOCH / Koh-i-noor / GARANTIERT / ROSTFREI / DEUTSCHE / WERTARBEIT / WALDES / WAHRZEICHEN FUR QUALITAT / No 1 / ca.9 m/m / Die führende Weltmarke [Waldes / with the / fitting hole / Koh-i-noor / guaranteed / stainless / German / workmanship / Waldes / landmark for quality / No 1 / ca.9 m/m / the leading global brand]
d. back of snap card, black ink : Koh-i-noor Druckknöpfe werden aus be- / ſonders ſtarken Meffingblech hergeftellt, / daher ihre (?) Wider(?)a (?)higkeit und / unübertro(?) (?)alitä(?) [Koh-i-noor snaps are made from particularly strong brass, / therefore their (?)]
d. back of each snap, engraved : K / I / N / 1
e. front of snap card, blue, white, and gold ink : WALDES / MIT DEM / PASSLOCH / Koh-i-noor / GARANTIERT / ROSTFREI / / WALDES / WAHRZEICHEN FUR QUALITAT / No 1 / ca.9 / Der Diamant der Druckknöpfe / GESETZLICH GESCHÜTZT 1277 N SSS 3709 E [Waldes / with the / fitting hole / Koh-i-noor / guaranteed / stainless / Waldes / landmark for quality / No 1 / ca.9 / the diamond of snaps / protected by law 1277 N SSS 3709 E]
e. back of snap card, black ink : Die im Rande verſenkten gebördelten / Annäh – Oſen verhindern ein Durchreiben / des Fadens ſowohl beim Annähen wie beim / Tragen. [The recessed edge in the beaded / Annäh-Osen prevents rubbing / the thread both when sewn on like when worn.]
e. back of each snap, engraved : K / I / N / 1
f. spool, blue ink : Farbe 36 / 50m 100/3 / GÜTERMANN’S / ideal-Seide [ideal-silk]
g, spool, black ink : 50M.60/2 / fü(?) / No. 46 / JUPITER-SEIDE [Jupiter-silk]
h. spool, red ink : Primor / 80/3 / MEZAS / No 2 (?)
i. spool, blue ink : Farbe 312 / 50 m 100/3 / (?)ERMANN’S / (?)deal-Seide
j. spool, red ink : Primor / 80.3 50m / MEZAC / No. 1331a - Contributor
-
Subject:
Lilly Schischa Tauber
- Biography
-
Karoline (Lilli/Lilly) Schischa was born on March 13, 1927, to Wilhelm and Johanna Friedmann Schischa in Vienna, Austria. Wilhelm was born in Gloggnitz in lower Austria on October 11, 1883, the oldest son of Josef and Karoline Gerstl. He had three siblings, Paula, Helene, and Adolf. Josef, originally from Mattersdorf, was a master tailor and was very religious. Wilhelm’s mother died in 1894 and his father remarried Anna Guenser and had four children, Ludwig, Richard, Malwine (d. 1927), and Erna. Lilli’s mother Johanna was born in 1885 and had two sisters Berta Ohme and Fanny Bauer. Lilli was raised in Wiener Neustadt, along with her older brother, Eduard (Edi), who was born on October 5, 1914. Lilli’s family was very religious and followed Jewish traditions. The Schischas owned a menswear store in Wiener Neustadt which was seized after the Anschluss, the integration of Austria with Nazi Germany in March 1938. Edi emigrated to Palestine that October. During the Kristallnacht pogrom that November 9-10, Wilhelm was arrested and detained in prison for ten days. He was then forced to sell their home. Lilli became ill with scarlet fever and had to be hospitalized. After she recovered, she joined her mother in Vienna, where she had gone with her sister-in-law. On July 13, 1939, Lilli was sent on a Kindertransport to Great Britain. As they waited at the train station, her father put both hands on her head and blessed her.
Lilli was sent to live with a group of Jewish refugee girls at the Hackney hostel in London, but soon transferred to Cockley Cley estate in Swaffham, Norfolk. She worked as a seamstress. The war ended with Germany’s surrender on May 7, 1945. Lilli eventually learned that her parents Wilhelm and Johanna, unable to secure visas, were deported from Vienna to the ghetto in Opole Lubelskie in German occupied Poland on February 26, 1941. In spring 1942, the Germans liquidated the ghetto. The Jewish residents were sent to Belzec and Sobibor killing centers and Lilli's parents presumably perished there.
Lilli returned to postwar Vienna in 1946 or 1947 as a member of the Young Austria Refugee, a group dedicated to creating a democratic Austria. She was reunited with her mother's sister Berta Ohme, who had not been deported because her husband was not Jewish. Berta had preserved a collection of documents, correspondence, and photographs that Lilli’s mother gave her just before she was deported to Opole. Along with these, she gave Lilli correspondence sent by Johanna and Wilhelm from Opole. Lilli married Max Tauber in 1954. Max, who was also Jewish, was born in Vienna on June 11, 1920, and had lived in Jerusalem. They have two sons. Lilli’s brother Edi lived in Israel until his death in 1963, age 49.
Physical Details
- Language
- German
- Classification
-
Tools and Equipment
- Category
-
Sewing equipment and supplies
- Object Type
-
Sewing boxes (aat)
- Physical Description
- a. Rectangular, discolored, light blue cardboard base, stapled together in the corners.
b. Rectangular, shallow, discolored, light blue cardboard lid for a box (.a), stapled together in the corners. It has a semicircular notch in the center of the long sides and a rectangular white label on top.
c. Light brown cardboard rectangle with 6 mother of pearl buttons sewn on with white thread and silver colored tin foil on the front.
d. Rectangular cardboard card with 3 perforated edges, with a light blue paper label with a gold border on the front. In the center is a black and white image of a girl in a red oval, with a snap for her right eye. There are 5 black painted metal snap studs and sockets fastened to the card.
e. Rectangular cardboard card with 2 perforated edges, with a light blue paper label with a gold border on the front. In the center is a black and white image of a girl in a red oval, with a snap for her right eye. There are 6 gray metal snap studs and sockets fastened to the card.
f. Bright red floss wrapped around a flattened light brown cardboard tube with a silver colored metal bodkin, a rod with a slot near the top, inserted through the back.
g. Red floss wrapped around a flattened light brown cardboard tube.
h. Bright blue floss wrapped around a flattened light brown cardboard tube.
i. Blue floss wrapped around a flattened light brown cardboard tube.
j. Pink floss wrapped around a flattened light brown cardboard tube.
k. Two pieces of offwhite cloth twill tape, knotted together, both with fraying ends.
l. 3 pieces of crocheted offwhite thread: 1 is made of 2 pieces, 18.375 inches in length, and 2 are sewn together into circles, 4.125 and 3.875 inches in diameter.
m. Silver colored metal thimble patterned with indented circles with alternating ridged and smooth bands around the lower edge and a ridged lip at the open bottom. The interior is smooth. The number 4 is embossed in an oval over the bands.
n. Silver colored metal safety pin.
o. Small, shiny, silver colored metal tube case with a band near the top and a rounded, scored bottom. The case contains 4 pieces of pencil lead of varying lengths, 2 with pointed ends.
p. Small, shiny, silver colored metal tube lid for a pencil lead case (.o) with a rounded, scored top.
q. Shiny, silver colored metal tube needle case with 2 bands near the top and a rounded bottom.
r. Shiny, silver colored metal tube lid for a needle case (.q) with a rounded top and 3 bands at the bottom.
s. Silver colored metal straight pin with a beaded head.
t.-ap. 23 silver colored metal sewing needles of varying sizes with sharp points and gold colored heads. The smallest needle is 1.250 inches long and the largest needle is 1.750 inches long. - Dimensions
- a: Height: 0.875 inches (2.223 cm) | Width: 5.500 inches (13.97 cm) | Depth: 3.500 inches (8.89 cm)
b: Height: 0.750 inches (1.905 cm) | Width: 5.500 inches (13.97 cm) | Depth: 3.500 inches (8.89 cm)
c: Height: 0.125 inches (0.318 cm) | Width: 1.750 inches (4.445 cm) | Depth: 1.250 inches (3.175 cm)
d: Height: 0.125 inches (0.318 cm) | Width: 1.875 inches (4.763 cm) | Depth: 1.375 inches (3.493 cm)
e: Height: 0.125 inches (0.318 cm) | Width: 1.875 inches (4.763 cm) | Depth: 1.500 inches (3.81 cm)
f: Height: 2.750 inches (6.985 cm) | Width: 0.625 inches (1.588 cm) | Depth: 0.375 inches (0.953 cm)
g: Height: 2.250 inches (5.715 cm) | Width: 0.500 inches (1.27 cm) | Depth: 0.375 inches (0.953 cm)
h: Height: 2.375 inches (6.033 cm) | Width: 0.625 inches (1.588 cm) | Depth: 0.375 inches (0.953 cm)
i: Height: 2.250 inches (5.715 cm) | Width: 0.500 inches (1.27 cm) | Depth: 0.250 inches (0.635 cm)
j: Height: 2.375 inches (6.033 cm) | Width: 0.500 inches (1.27 cm) | Depth: 0.250 inches (0.635 cm)
k: Height: 50.750 inches (128.905 cm) | Width: 0.250 inches (0.635 cm)
l: Height: 18.375 inches (46.673 cm) | Width: 0.250 inches (0.635 cm)
m: Height: 0.750 inches (1.905 cm) | Diameter: 0.625 inches (1.588 cm)
n: Height: 1.500 inches (3.81 cm) | Width: 0.250 inches (0.635 cm) | Depth: 0.125 inches (0.318 cm)
o: Height: 1.125 inches (2.858 cm) | Diameter: 0.125 inches (0.318 cm)
p: Height: 0.625 inches (1.588 cm) | Diameter: 0.250 inches (0.635 cm)
q: Height: 1.500 inches (3.81 cm) | Diameter: 0.375 inches (0.953 cm)
r: Height: 0.750 inches (1.905 cm) | Diameter: 0.375 inches (0.953 cm)
s: Height: 1.125 inches (2.858 cm)
t-ap: Height: 1.750 inches (4.445 cm) - Materials
- a : cardboard, metal
b : cardboard, metal, ink, adhesive, graphite
c : cardboard, mother of pearl, thread, tin foil
d : cardboard, paper, metal, ink
e : cardboard, paper, metal, ink
f : cardboard, paper, metal, ink
g : cardboard, thread, ink
h : cardboard, thread, ink
i : cardboard, thread, ink
j : cardboard, thread, ink
k : cloth
l : thread
m : metal
n : metal
o : metal, graphite
p : metal
q : metal
r : metal
s : metal
t-ap : metal - Inscription
- b. top, upper left corner, pencil : Osterreich 300 [Austria 300]
Rights & Restrictions
- Conditions on Access
- No restrictions on access
- Conditions on Use
- No restrictions on use
Keywords & Subjects
- Topical Term
- Holocaust, Jewish (1939-1945)--Austria--Vienna--Personal narratives, Jewish. Jewish children in the Holocaust--Biography. Jews--Persecution--Austria--Vienna--Biography. Jewish refugees--Great Britain. Kindertransports (Rescue operations)--Great Britain--Personal narratives, Austrian. World War, 1939-1945--Refugees--Great Britain--Personal narratives, Austrian.
Administrative Notes
- Legal Status
- Permanent Collection
- Provenance
- The sewing box was donated to the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum in 2003 by Lilli Schischa Tauber.
- Funding Note
- The cataloging of this artifact has been supported by a grant from the Conference on Jewish Material Claims Against Germany.
- Record last modified:
- 2022-07-28 18:28:38
- This page:
- https://collections.ushmm.org/search/catalog/irn515005
Download & Licensing
In-Person Research
- By Appointment
- Request 21 Days in Advance of Visit
- Plan a Research Visit
- Request to See This Object
Contact Us
Also in Lilli Schischa Tauber family collection
The collection consists of three detachable collars, comb, shoulder bag, thirteen handkerchiefs, a leather portfolio, travel sewing kit and two thread sets, correspondence, documents, and photographs relating to the experiences of Lilli Schischa and her family in Austria before and during the Holocaust and after Lilli's escape to Great Britain on a Kindertransport in 1939.
Date: 1930-1950
Green handkerchief with pink KS monogram carried by a Kindertransport refugee
Object
Light green handkerchief with her initials KS taken with 11 year old Lilli (Karoline) Schischa when she was sent on a Kindertransport from Austria to Great Britain on July 13, 1939. In March 1938, Nazi Germany marched into Austria and made it part of the Third Reich. Policies persecuting Jews and depriving them of their property and livelihoods were enacted. The clothing store owned by Lilly's parents, Wilhelm and Johanna, in Wiener Neustadt was seized. Lilli's brother, Edi, 24, left for Palestine in October 1938. Her father was arrested during the Kristallnacht pogrom that November 9-10, but released after ten days, and forced to sell their home. Her parents got Lilli passage on the Children's Transport leaving in July 1939. Her parents were deported on February 26, 1941, to the ghetto in Opole in German occupied Poland. They perished in the ghetto or in Sobibor killing center. Lilli returned to Vienna ca. 1947.
Peach handkerchief with a pink monogram carried by a Kindertransport refugee
Object
Pale orange handkerchief with her initials KS kept by 11 year Lilli (Karoline) Schischa when she was sent on a Kindertransport from Austria to Great Britain on July 13, 1939. In March 1938, Nazi Germany marched into Austria and made it part of the Third Reich. Jewish persecution. The clothing store owned by Lilli's parents, Wilhelm and Johanna, in Wiener Neustadt was seized. Lilli's brother, Edi, age 24, left for Palestine in October 1938. Her father was arrested during the Kristallnacht pogrom that November, but released after ten days. Her parents were able to get Lilli out of the country, but in February 1941, they were deported to the ghetto in Opole, Poland. They perished in the ghetto or in Sobibor death camp. Lilli returned to Vienna ca. 1947.
Pale orange handkerchief with a pink monogram carried by a Kindertransport refugee
Object
Peach handkerchief with her pink embroidered initials KS kept by 11 year Lilli (Karoline) Schischa when she was sent on a Kindertransport from Austria to Great Britain on July 13, 1939. In March 1938, Nazi Germany marched into Austria and made it part of the Third Reich. Jewish persecution. The clothing store owned by Lilli's parents, Wilhelm and Johanna, in Wiener Neustadt was seized. Lilli's brother, Edi, age 24, left for Palestine in October 1938. Her father was arrested during the Kristallnacht pogrom that November, but released after ten days. Her parents were able to get Lilli out of the country, but in February 1941, they were deported to the ghetto in Opole, Poland. They perished in the ghetto or in Sobibor death camp.
Light blue handkerchief with a pink monogram carried by a Kindertransport refugee
Object
Light blue handkerchief with her embroidered initials KS kept by 11 year Lilli (Karoline) Schischa when she was sent on a Kindertransport from Austria to Great Britain on July 13, 1939. In March 1938, Nazi Germany marched into Austria and made it part of the Third Reich. Jewish persecution. The clothing store owned by Lilli's parents, Wilhelm and Johanna, in Wiener Neustadt was seized. Lilli's brother, Edi, age 24, left for Palestine in October 1938. Her father was arrested during the Kristallnacht pogrom that November, but released after ten days. Her parents were able to get Lilli out of the country, but in February 1941, they were deported to the ghetto in Opole, Poland. They perished in the ghetto or in Sobibor death camp..
Light blue handkerchief with a pink monogram carried by a Kindertransport refugee
Object
Blue handkerchief with her embroidered initials KS kept by 11 year Lilli (Karoline) Schischa when she was sent on a Kindertransport from Austria to Great Britain on July 13, 1939. In March 1938, Nazi Germany marched into Austria and made it part of the Third Reich. Jewish persecution. The clothing store owned by Lilli's parents, Wilhelm and Johanna, in Wiener Neustadt was seized. Lilli's brother, Edi, age 24, left for Palestine in October 1938. Her father was arrested during the Kristallnacht pogrom that November, but released after ten days. Her parents were able to get Lilli out of the country, but in February 1941, they were deported to the ghetto in Opole, Poland. They perished in the ghetto or in Sobibor death camp.
Light green handkerchief with a pink monogram carried by a Kindertransport refugee
Object
Light green handkerchief with her embroidered initials KS kept by 11 year Lilli (Karoline) Schischa when she was sent on a Kindertransport from Austria to Great Britain on July 13, 1939. In March 1938, Nazi Germany marched into Austria and made it part of the Third Reich. Jewish persecution. The clothing store owned by Lilli's parents, Wilhelm and Johanna, in Wiener Neustadt was seized. Lilli's brother, Edi, age 24, left for Palestine in October 1938. Her father was arrested during the Kristallnacht pogrom that November, but released after ten days. Her parents were able to get Lilli out of the country, but in February 1941, they were deported to the ghetto in Opole, Poland. They perished in the ghetto or in Sobibor death camp.
White handkerchief with a blue monogram carried by a Kindertransport refugee
Object
White handkerchief with her embroidered initials KS kept by 11 year Lilli (Karoline) Schischa when she was sent on a Kindertransport from Austria to Great Britain on July 13, 1939. In March 1938, Nazi Germany marched into Austria and made it part of the Third Reich. Jewish persecution. The clothing store owned by Lilli's parents, Wilhelm and Johanna, in Wiener Neustadt was seized. Lilli's brother, Edi, age 24, left for Palestine in October 1938. Her father was arrested during the Kristallnacht pogrom that November, but released after ten days. Her parents were able to get Lilli out of the country, but in February 1941, they were deported to the ghetto in Opole, Poland. They perished in the ghetto or in Sobibor death camp.
Offwhite handkerchief with a white initial carried by a Kindertransport refugee
Object
White handkerchief with her embroidered initials KS kept by 11 year Lilli (Karoline) Schischa when she was sent on a Kindertransport from Austria to Great Britain on July 13, 1939. In March 1938, Nazi Germany marched into Austria and made it part of the Third Reich. Jewish persecution. The clothing store owned by Lilli's parents, Wilhelm and Johanna, in Wiener Neustadt was seized. Lilli's brother, Edi, age 24, left for Palestine in October 1938. Her father was arrested during the Kristallnacht pogrom that November, but released after ten days. Her parents were able to get Lilli out of the country, but in February 1941, they were deported to the ghetto in Opole, Poland. They perished in the ghetto or in Sobibor death camp.
Offwhite handkerchief with two monograms carried by a Kindertransport refugee
Object
Cream handkerchief with her embroidered initials KS kept by 11 year Lilli (Karoline) Schischa when she was sent on a Kindertransport from Austria to Great Britain on July 13, 1939. In March 1938, Nazi Germany marched into Austria and made it part of the Third Reich. Jewish persecution. The clothing store owned by Lilli's parents, Wilhelm and Johanna, in Wiener Neustadt was seized. Lilli's brother, Edi, age 24, left for Palestine in October 1938. Her father was arrested during the Kristallnacht pogrom that November, but released after ten days. Her parents were able to get Lilli out of the country, but in February 1941, they were deported to the ghetto in Opole, Poland. They perished in the ghetto or in Sobibor death camp.
White handkerchief with blue, brown, and white stripes carried by a Kindertransport refugee
Object
White handkerchief with a striped border kept by 11 year Lilli (Karoline) Schischa when she was sent on a Kindertransport from Austria to Great Britain on July 13, 1939. In March 1938, Nazi Germany marched into Austria and made it part of the Third Reich. Jewish persecution. The clothing store owned by Lilli's parents, Wilhelm and Johanna, in Wiener Neustadt was seized. Lilli's brother, Edi, age 24, left for Palestine in October 1938. Her father was arrested during the Kristallnacht pogrom that November, but released after ten days. Her parents were able to get Lilli out of the country, but in February 1941, they were deported to the ghetto in Opole, Poland. They perished in the ghetto or in Sobibor death camp. Lilli returned to Vienna ca. 1947.
Offwhite handkerchief with a red monogram carried by a Kindertransport refugee
Object
Cream handkerchief with her initials KS kept by 11 year Lilli (Karoline) Schischa when she was sent on a Kindertransport from Austria to Great Britain on July 13, 1939. In March 1938, Nazi Germany marched into Austria and made it part of the Third Reich. Jewish persecution. The clothing store owned by Lilli's parents, Wilhelm and Johanna, in Wiener Neustadt was seized. Lilli's brother, Edi, age 24, left for Palestine in October 1938. Her father was arrested during the Kristallnacht pogrom that November, but released after ten days. Her parents were able to get Lilli out of the country, but in February 1941, they were deported to the ghetto in Opole, Poland. They perished in the ghetto or in Sobibor death camp. Lilli returned to Vienna ca. 1947.
Offwhite handkerchief with a blue embroidered monogram carried by a Kindertransport refugee
Object
Cream handkerchief with her initials KS kept by 11 year Lilli (Karoline) Schischa when she was sent on a Kindertransport from Austria to Great Britain on July 13, 1939. In March 1938, Nazi Germany marched into Austria and made it part of the Third Reich. Jewish persecution. The clothing store owned by Lilli's parents, Wilhelm and Johanna, in Wiener Neustadt was seized. Lilli's brother, Edi, age 24, left for Palestine in October 1938. Her father was arrested during the Kristallnacht pogrom that November, but released after ten days. Her parents were able to get Lilli out of the country, but in February 1941, they were deported to the ghetto in Opole, Poland. They perished in the ghetto or in Sobibor death camp. Lilli returned to Vienna ca. 1947.
Offwhite handkerchief with floral whitework and a yellow monogram carried by a Kindertransport refugee
Object
Cream handkerchief with fowers and her initials KS kept by 11 year Lilli (Karoline) Schischa when she was sent on a Kindertransport from Austria to Great Britain on July 13, 1939. In March 1938, Nazi Germany marched into Austria and made it part of the Third Reich. Jewish persecution. The clothing store owned by Lilli's parents, Wilhelm and Johanna, in Wiener Neustadt was seized. Lilli's brother, Edi, age 24, left for Palestine in October 1938. Her father was arrested during the Kristallnacht pogrom that November, but released after ten days. Her parents were able to get Lilli out of the country, but in February 1941, they were deported to the ghetto in Opole, Poland. They perished in the ghetto or in Sobibor death camp. Lilli returned to Vienna ca. 1947.
White collar with lace trim carried by a Kindertransport refugee
Object
White lace trimmed collar made by her mother for 11 year old Lilli (Karoline) Schischa to take on the Kindertransport from Austria to Great Britain on July 13, 1939. In March 1938, Nazi Germany marched into Austria and made it part of the Third Reich. Jewish persecution. The clothing store owned by Lilli's parents, Wilhelm and Johanna, in Wiener Neustadt was seized. Lilli's brother, Edi, age 24, left for Palestine in October 1938. Her father was arrested during the Kristallnacht pogrom that November, but released after ten days. Her parents were able to get Lilli out of the country, but in February 1941, they were deported to the ghetto in Opole, Poland. They perished in the ghetto or in Sobibor death camp. Lilli returned to Vienna ca. 1947.
White collar with blue polka dots carried by a Kindertransport refugee
Object
Blue polka dot detachable collar made by her mother for 11 year old Lilli (Karoline) Schischa to take on the Kindertransport from Austria to Great Britain on July 13, 1939. In March 1938, Nazi Germany marched into Austria and made it part of the Third Reich. Jewish persecution. The clothing store owned by Lilli's parents, Wilhelm and Johanna, in Wiener Neustadt was seized. Lilli's brother, Edi, age 24, left for Palestine in October 1938. Her father was arrested during the Kristallnacht pogrom that November, but released after ten days. Her parents were able to get Lilli out of the country, but in February 1941, they were deported to the ghetto in Opole, Poland. They perished in the ghetto or in Sobibor death camp. Lilli returned to Vienna ca. 1947.
Embroidered yellow collar carried by a Kindertransport refugeec
Object
Embroidered, detachable pale yellow collar made by her mother for 11 year old Lilli (Karoline) Schischa to take on the Kindertransport from Austria to Great Britain on July 13, 1939. In March 1938, Nazi Germany marched into Austria and made it part of the Third Reich. Jewish persecution. The clothing store owned by Lilli's parents, Wilhelm and Johanna, in Wiener Neustadt was seized. Lilli's brother, Edi, age 24, left for Palestine in October 1938. Her father was arrested during the Kristallnacht pogrom that November, but released after ten days. Her parents were able to get Lilli out of the country, but in February 1941, they were deported to the ghetto in Opole, Poland. They perished in the ghetto or in Sobibor death camp. Lilli returned to Vienna ca. 1947.
Beige leather purse with decorative piping used by a Kindertransport refugee
Object
Beige leather handbag with shoulder strap bought by Lilli (Karoline) Schischa in Great Briatin where she was sent on a Kindertransport from Austria on July 13, 1939. Lilli bought the purse in England ca. 1945 and used it to store the seventy letters she received from her brother Edi from Palestine. In March 1938, Nazi Germany marched into Austria and made it part of the Third Reich. The clothing store owned by Lilli's parents, Wilhelm and Johanna, in Wiener Neustadt was seized. Lilli's brother, Edi, 24, left for Palestine in October 1938. Her father was arrested during the Kristallnacht pogrom that November, but released after ten days. Her parents were able to get Lilli, then age 11, out of the country on a Kindertransport that left on July 13, 1939. Her parents were unable to get permits to leave and, on February 1941, were deported to the ghetto in Opole, Poland. They later perished in the ghetto or in Sobibor killing center. Lilli returned to Vienna ca. 1947.
Brown leather portfolio carried by a Kindertransport refugee
Object
Leather case used by her father given to Lilli (Karoline) Schischa by her aunt when Lilli returned to Austria after the war ca. 1947. Her father Wilhelm used it to store the over fifity documents he gathered as he tried to secure visas for himself and Lilli's mother Johanna to leave Austria. In March 1938, Nazi Germany marched into Austria and made it part of the Third Reich. The clothing store owned by Lilli's parents, Wilhelm and Johanna, in Wiener Neustadt was seized. Lilli's brother, Edi, age 24, left for Palestine in October 1938. Her father was arrested during the Kristallnacht pogrom that November, but released after ten days. Her parents were able to get Lilli out of the country on a Kindertransport that left for Great Britain on July 13, 1939. Her parents were unable to get permits to leave and, on February 1941, were deported to the ghetto in Opole, Poland. They later perished in the ghetto or in Sobibor killing center. Lilli returned to Vienna ca. 1947.
Travel sewing box with 16 floss spools carried by a Kindertransport refugee
Object
Travel sewing kit with a decorated box with 16 spools of thread bought for 11 year old Lilli (Karoline) Schischa to take on the Kindertransport from Austria to Great Britain on July 13, 1939. In March 1938, Nazi Germany marched into Austria and made it part of the Third Reich. Jewish persecution. The clothing store owned by Lilli's parents, Wilhelm and Johanna, in Wiener Neustadt was seized. Lilli's brother, Edi, age 24, left for Palestine in October 1938. Her father was arrested during the Kristallnacht pogrom that November, but released after ten days. Her parents were able to get Lilli out of the country, but in February 1941, they were deported to the ghetto in Opole, Poland. They perished in the ghetto or in Sobibor death camp. Lilli returned to Vienna ca. 1947.
Travel sewing box with 16 floss spools carried by a Kindertransport refugee
Object
Travel sewing kit with a decorated box with 16 spools of thread bought for 11 year old Lilli (Karoline) Schischa to take on the Kindertransport from Austria to Great Britain on July 13, 1939. In March 1938, Nazi Germany marched into Austria and made it part of the Third Reich. Jewish persecution. The clothing store owned by Lilli's parents, Wilhelm and Johanna, in Wiener Neustadt was seized. Lilli's brother, Edi, age 24, left for Palestine in October 1938. Her father was arrested during the Kristallnacht pogrom that November, but released after ten days. Her parents were able to get Lilli out of the country, but in February 1941, they were deported to the ghetto in Opole, Poland. They perished in the ghetto or in Sobibor death camp. Lilli returned to Vienna ca. 1947.
Yellow plastic comb with cardboard case carried by a Kindertransport refugee
Object
Comb with case kept by 11 year Lilly (Karoline) Schischa when she was sent on a Kindertransport from Austria to Great Britain on July 13, 1939. It was a kit made for use while traveling. In March 1938, Nazi Germany marched into Austria and made it part of the Third Reich. Jewish persecution. The clothing store owned by Lilly's parents, Wilhelm and Johanna, in Wiener Neustadt was seized. Lilly's brother, Edi, age 24, left for Palestine in October 1938. Her father was arrested during the Kristallnacht pogrom that November, but released after ten days. Her parents were able to get Lilly out of the country, but in February 1941, they were deported to the ghetto in Opole, Poland. They died either in the ghetto or in Sobibor death camp.
Schischa family papers
Document
The papers contain correspondence between Johanna and Wilhelm Schischa in the ghetto in Opole, Poland, and their daughter, Lilly, in England; photographs of the Schischas and the Opole ghetto; documents concerning Lilly's emigration to London, England, from Vienna, Austria, on the Kindertransport in 1939; and correspondence between Lilly and her elder brother, Edi, who immigrated to Palestine in the early 1930s.