Masha Loen Papers, 1915-1961 | Los Angeles Museum of the Holocaust

Title: Masha Loen Papers, 1915-1961

ID: RG-62/RG-62

Extent: 2.0 Boxes

Predominant Dates: 1930s -- 1940s

Abstract

Creators

Administrative/Biographical History

The Collection of Masha Loen Papers is conditionally divided into the following subcollections:

RG-62.01, correspondence between members of the Loewenberg Family (35)

Correspondence from Anya Loewenberg to Elizabeth Loen (9)

-and later correspondence between members of the Loen Family (8)

-miscellaneous documents in Serbian, Croatian and French (5)

-photos of the Loewenberg Family (48)

-miscellaneous photos, of people not in the Loewenberg family (9)

RG-62.01: Correspondence between the members of the Loewenberg Family in the course of December 1915- October 1954

RG-62.01.01: Postcard from Alfred Loewenberg in Czernowitz, Germany to a Loewenberg, however the first name is illegible.

Date: 10 October 1915

Language: probably Hungarian, indiscernible

RG-62.01.02: Field postcard to Ernest Loewenberg at an address in Hungary from an unidentifiable name

Date: 26 December 1915

Language: Hungarian

RG-62.01.03: Field postcard to Ernest “Ernӧke” Loewenberg at an address in Hungary from an illegible name but with a three digit coded field post number: 327. On the front there is a picture drawn in pencil of a man lying in a bunk with his things around him, all labeled, and he is whistling a tune.

Date: 16 April 1919

Language: Hungarian

RG-62.01.04: Three notes on one paper

Date: 12 May 1930

Language: Schtokavian/Hungarian and German

RG-62.01.04.01: Letter from Otto Loewenberg to “Anyuka” or Anya

Language: Schtokavian or Hungarian

RG-62.01.04.02: Note from Kounel (perhaps nickname for Cornelius) to his mother

Language: German.

Translation: “Dear Mom, Fredi is well-behaved and healthy. Today we had pigeon soup. I didn’t want to eat the meat, it was so black. The soup was fine. Kisses from Kounel.”

RG-62.01.04.03: Letter from “Apa”

Language: Schtokavian or Hungarian.

RG- 62.01.05: Postcard from Otto to Anya in care of Irene Schoenberger

Date: 1931

Language: Hungarian

RG-62.01.06: Postcard to Leon Loewenberg in Novi Sad from an indiscernible name in Breslau (formerly part of Germany’s control).

Date: 6 May 1934

Language: Hungarian

RG-62.01.07: Correspondence between Ernest/Puci and Otto Loewenberg from May 1937- July 1940

RG-62.01.07.01: Postcard to Ernest with an address in Vienna from Otto and Cornelius in Novi Sad

Date: 1 May 1937

Language: Hungarian/Schtokavian

RG-62.01.07.02: Postcard to Otto and Cornelius in Novi Sad from Puci in Nice, France.

Date: 19 May 1937

Language: Hungarian

RG-62.01.07.03: Postcard to Ernest at an address in Novi Sad from Otto when he was in Badgastein

Date: 17 August 1937

Language: Hungarian

RG-62.01.07.04: Postcard to Ernest at an address in New York City in care of Roth Georges from Otto (“Ottoka”). The postcard is a picture of a bridge in Belgrade.

Date: 10 November 1938

Language: Hungarian

RG-62.01.07.05: Postcard to Otto and Cornelius in Novi Sad from Puci and perhaps Ernest in New Mexico. The postcard mentions Texas and Arizona as well as if they took a trip through the States

Date: 27 March 1939

Language: Hungarian

RG-62.01.07.06: Letter to Puci and Ernest without envelope first from Otto and followed by an attached letter from Cornelius

Date: 2 February 1940

Language: Schtokavian/Hungarian

RG-62.01.07.07: Letter to Puci and Ernest “Ernӧ” Loewenberg from Otto when he was in Belgrade.

Date: 27 February 1940

Language: Hungarian/Schtokavian

RG-62.01.07.08: Letter 2 to Puci and Ernest from Otto when he was in Belgrade.

Date: 6 March 1940

Language: Hungarian/Schtokavian

RG-62.01.07.09: Letter to “Senor Ernesto” Loewenberg and Puci at an address in Mexico from Otto in Novi Sad.

Date: 30 March 1940

Language: Hungarian

RG-62.01.07.10: Letter to Puci and Ernest from Otto in Novi Sad, no envelope

Date: 31 March 1940

Language: Hungarian

RG-62.01.07.11: Postcard to Ernest in Mexico from Otto somewhere in the former Yugoslavia. (May also be signed from Apa with a note)

Date: 26 April 1940

Language: Hungarian

RG-62.01.07.12: Postcard to Ernest Loewenberg in Mexico from Otto and Apa in Novi Sad

Date: 4 June 1940

Language: Hungarian

RG-62.01.07.13: Envelope without a letter to Ernest in Mexico from an address in Novi Sad.

Date: 27 June 1940

RG-62.01.07.14: Postcard to Puci and Ernest in Los Angeles at the Hotel Olimpia from Otto and Apa in Novi Sad

Date: 18 July 1940

Language: Hungarian

RG-62.01.08: Postcard to Otto Loewenberg in Jezerski from unknown in Badgastein, Austria

Date: 30 July 1937

Language: Hungarian (or French?)

RG-62.01.09: Postcard to Cölestine Loewenberg in Novi Sad from Apa and Otto in Bled, Slovenia.

Date: 20 August 1937

Language: Hungarian

RG-62.01.10: Postcard to Otto in Novi Sad from an indiscernible name in Kranjska Gora, Slovenia

Date: 21 August 1937

Language: Hungarian/ Schtokavian

RG-62.01.11: Postcard to Steven Gusek from Otto and Cornelius when he was in Jezerski, Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Date: 28 August 1937

Language: Hungarian

RG-62.01.12: Postcard to Leon Loewenberg in Novi Sad from Puci in Hvar (Croatian island in the Adriatic near Dalmatia)

Date: 15 July 1938

Language: Hungarian

RG-62.01.13: Postcard to Alfred (and Marta) Loewenberg in Novi Sad from Puci while she was in France.

Date: 28 October 1938

Language: Hungarian

RG-62.01.14: Postcard to Leon Loewenberg in Novi Sad from Puci in Guadalajara, Mexico.

Date: 11 August 1939

Language: Hungarian

RG-62.01.15: Letters from Anya and Apa to Ernest and Puci between February 1940 and May 1947

RG-62.01.15.01: Letter to Puci and Ernest from Anya and Apa, no envelope

Date: 4 February 1940?

Language: Hungarian

RG-62.01.15.02: Letter to Puci and Ernest perhaps from Apa, no envelope

Date, 21 April 1940

Language: Hungarian

RG-62.01.15.03: Letter to Puci “Pucikam” and Ernest first from Anya and followed by a letter from Apa when they were in Budapest

Date: 5 May 1947

Language: Hungarian

RG-62.01.16: Postcard to Leon in Novi Sad from Otto in Belgrade

Date: 27 November 1940

Language: Hungarian

RG-62.01.17: Postcard to Otto and Cornelius in Novi Sad from Martha in Maribor, Slovenia

Date: 27 December 1940

Language: Hungarian/Schtokavian

RG-62.01.18: Postcard to a Loewenberg with an illegible first name, perhaps “Lajos” and from an unknown.

Undated

Language: Hungarian

RG-62.01.19: Postcard to Leon in Novi Sad from Puci and Ernest in Milan, Italy

Undated

Language: Hungarian

RG-62.01.20: Letter without an envelope. There does not seem to be an addressee anywhere nor an addresser.

Date: 10 April, no year

Language: Hungarian

RG-62.02: Correspondence from Anya Loewenberg to Elizabeth F. Loen. From April 1948 to May 1949

RG-62.02.01: Letter to Elizabeth F. Loen in Burbank, California. It is not clear who the letter is from, but the handwriting matches Anya’s. Four pages.

Date: 18 April 1948

Language: Hungarian

RG-62.02.02: Letter to Elizabeth F. Loen in Burbank California from Anya and Puci in Novi Sad. The letter is in pieces and it is not clear where it begins and ends. There are only two clear sections: one from Anya and the other from Puci.

Date: 12 December 1948

Language: Hungarian

RG-62.02.03: Letter to Elizabeth in Burbank from Anya in Novi Sad.

Date: 23 March 1949

Language: Hungarian/Schtokavian

RG-62.02.04: Letter to Elizabeth in Burbank California from Anya in Novi Sad.

Date: 26 April 1949

Language: Hungarian

RG-62.02.05: Brief letter to Elizabeth from Anya both at their same addresses. Two pages.

Date: 5 May 1949

Language: Hungarian

RG-62.02.06: Short Letter to Elizabeth in Burbank from Anya in Novi Sad. One and a half pages.

Date: 7 May 1949

Language: Schtokavian/Hungarian

RG-62.02.07: Letter to Elizabeth from Anya and “Omama.” Two and a half pages.

Date, 20 May 1949

Language: Hungarian

RG-62.02.08: Letter to Elizabeth from Anya and another indistinguishable name. Four pages.

Date: 16 March?

Language: Hungarian

RG-62.02.09: Letter to Elizabeth in Burbank from Anya in Novi Sad.

Date: 9 May?

Language: Hungarian

RG-62.03: Later correspondence more specifically between members of the Loen Family. From April 1950 to June 1961.

RG-62.03.01: Postcard to Claire Loen with no address except Burbank. It has notes from several people: Omama, Maria Gussek and another illegible name.

Date: 15 April 1950

Language: Hungarian

RG-62.03.02: Postcard to Claire Loen in Burbank from Omama in Novi Sad.

Date: 15 April 1950

Language: German

Translation: Dear little Claire! Lots and lots of happiness and health to you on your 7^th birthday. Affectionately from your great grandmother.”

RG-62.03.03: Letter to Puci from Omama, but addressed to Elizabeth Loen in Burbank, California. Return address is in Novi Sad.

Date: 20 April 1951 is the date on the envelope. 16 June? On the heading of the letter.

Language: German

Translation: “Dear Puci, Today I received your parcel. It arrived perfectly neat! It had not been opened and I am so thankful for what was inside because of the inflation! It is terrible to not recognize the fantastic from what it should be.

Dearest Puci! You must certainly be better off in this wide world. It seems to be Wednesday, the 30^th of March… [She starts to describe a person with her and that he has very bad days. They read a mass for him and someone else. They lay together and don’t know what is happening.]

The good thing is that they had a bouquet of red roses to lay on top of the grave, or else I won’t go. I go alone. That is terrible that no person from the family goes, like an abandoned person, who is not consistent, he comes and goes.

It seems like lately we have had a lot of heat! But there has also been a little rain. Or else it would be like a drought here and the inflation would become even worse. What are you guys up to? _____ must certainly have a vacation. [She talks about how they must write to each other often, always.]

All of you stay health! I am also healthy at the moment. [Something about something not being proper.]

Greetings and kisses to you all! – Omama”

RG-62.03.04: Postcard to E.L. Loen (Puci, Ernest and Claire) in Burbank, California from Omama.

Date: 31 October 1954

Language: Hungarian

RG-62.03.05: Postcard to Claire Loen from her aunt Irene and uncle “Isiga.” The note reads: “Dear Claire, Happy birthday! Many kisses in love, you Aunt Irene and uncle Isiga.”

Date: 25 April 1955

Language: English

RG-62.03.06: Letter to Puci from her grandmother.

Date: 6 May?

Language: German

Translation: “Dear Puci, I got your letter today on May 6^th and I am answering right away. The package has not come or else I would have written you when you send it. “Nada” or “Vada” stayed with me for two days. She did not receive any vacation time or else she would have stayed longer, it is very hard because she so seldom comes. It is difficult for me to get away. It is hard to be alone, what should I do, “Loewe?” is already a big girl, who has her own big girls.

Dearest Puci, the “Vorli” is not serving. He gives us money but it is always too little, “Andov” looks so bad. He should be getting better and he keeps being prescribed [medicine], he is so weak like an old man. “Lani” trusts himself with another and he earns enough because he has a job and “Andov” is with his family in Serbia. They have four kids and poor _____ wants to return to Novi Sad, back to “Andov.” That is enough of that! If you have a picture of ______, give me one so that I have a friend and one of you also. It is such a long time…to see you’re gone. When you have no money and are so poor, you borrow once and then it can’t be any different.

I don’t inquire about Erno because he sends nothing, but you can still send me things! My life is very difficult and not material. Everything is good enough but what is not enough are the remaining things, the house ____should be sold. It will take everything away from me. Everything that we built there will be dead and others will come and take it and get nothing from it. I can’t ______ because it is very far and to whom would I sent it. It is hard for me to believe….and one can’t fundamentally separate the one from the other but that is the great worry of us all. I don’t want you to always write that I bear my losses. “One bears his losses” is not everything when one can live and eat but has so many worries. I am so skinny I look like the stalk of a weed, but that is like everyone.

Dearest Puci, don’t be angry with me that I must write you everything. You should also hear from ______. So until next time. I have no one, on whom I can rely…

Dearest Puci… [the end has no real closure]”

RG-62.03.07: Postcard to Leon Loen in Los Angeles from someone in Canada.

Date: 5 June 1961

Language: Hungarian

RG-62.03.08: Letter to Puci from Anya and Irene.

Undated

Language: Hungarian

RG-62.04: Miscellaneous documents

RG-62.04.01: Certificate for driver’s license for “Tayc Tawcabema.” It lists the four different types of licenses and was received in Novi Sad.

Date: 22 May 1935

Language: Dialect of Serbia or Hungary, written in Cyrillic

RG-62.04.02: Letter of solidarity from the front. Addressed to no one in particular.

Date: 3 November 1938

Language: French

Translation: I am sending my turn. Copy this letter three times and send to the person for whom you want happiness. This chain was started in the front by a young couple of soldiers. It must go around the world. If you do not stop the chain, you will be happy. The message will be realized. You can pass it from hand to hand, or send it by mail within 48 hours. Something will happen! You must not destroy or keep the letter. This chain started on 3. November 1939 from the front.”

RG-62.04.03: Two copies of a baptismal certificate for “Ernebet Franciska?” It lists the parents’ names, the priest presiding etc.

Date: 16 March 1939

Language: Hungarian

RG-62.04.04: Document concerning the same person as the driver’s license certificate, Tayc. I believe that it essentially declares him a good and moral citizen while living in Novi Sad since 1918.

Date: 16 May 1939

Language: Dialect of Serbia or Hungary, written in Cyrillic

RG-62.04.05: Hungarian Red Cross form from Adele Gausz to Ernest Loewenberg in Burbank. It includes the message: We got the telegram of the 28 June with great joy, and wish to you and to the little one good luck. Are healthy. Kisses. –Anya, Omama.”

Date: Form date: 17 September 1943, Stamp date of American Red Cross inquiry, December 1943 and 18 February 1944

Language: Form: French, German and Hungarian, Note: English

RG-62.04.06: Hungarian Red Cross form from Leo L. Loewenberg to Ernest Loewenberg in Burbank. It states his address in Hungary and includes the message: “Since December without any messages. In October Cornelius will be in Püspökladány [town in Hungary] which is near Debrecen. Otto got the package with the winter clothing. Both are healthy and confident. Kisses. – Mama, Apa, Cornelius” There is also another note paper-clipped to the form that says: “Today Otto’s 24^th birthday already. We are all very well and anticipate no important changes for the near future. Many kisses.”

Date: Form date: 30 September 1943, Stamp date of American Red Cross inquiry unit: December 1943 and 18 February 1944

Language: Form: French, German and Hungarian. Note: German and English

RG-62.04.07: Note from Ernest. “All three of us are healthy. Claire is developing without one day of sickness which is possible through this perfect climate. Many kisses –Ernest”

Undated

Language: English

RG-62.05: Photographs of the Loewenberg Family between 1916 and 1960

RG-62.05.01: Photo of Anya and her oldest son, Lacika, and four other women including Irѐn

Date: 1916

RG-61.05.02: Jenӧ and Lacika (the oldest brother)

Date: around 1917

RG-62.05.03: Photos of Apa

RG-62.05.03.01: Photo of Apa torn off from a larger piece of paper

Undated

RG-62.05.03.02: Photo of Apa stamped with a seal (perhaps from a passport)

Undated

RG-62.05.03.03: Photo of Apa asleep on a couch with a newspaper. He appears to be in his 50s.

Undated

RG-62.05.04: Large group picture of Marta, Ernest, Maea, Cornelius, Anya and Otto in “Giado”, Italy

Date: around 1925

RG-62.05.05: Photo of 5-Year-Old Otto with neighborhood children. Their bikes are decorated with flowers. Caption: “bicikli bajnoka”: cycling champion

Date: 1925

RG-62.05.06: Photo of Otto in Jüdische Schule (Jewish School) with his classmates and teacher

Date: around 1928

RG-62.05.07: Otto Portraits in order of approximated age

RG-62.05.07.01: Otto age 8

Date: 1 August 1928

RG-62.05.07.02: Otto at approximately age 13 stamped with a seal perhaps from a passport

Undated

RG-62.05.07.03: Otto at approximately age 16 also stamped with a seal

Undated

RG-62.05.07.04: Otto age 20

Date: June 1940

RG-62.05.07.05: Otto standing on a cliff or lookout point by the ocean. He appears to be in his 20s.

Undated

RG-62.05.07.06: Otto age 23 in his military garb standing in a garden

Date: 12 July 1943

RG-62.05.08: Portrait of Frѐdi as baby

Date: 20 February 1931

RG-62.05.09: Ernest Loewenberg and group on a wagon

Date: 22 April 1934

RG-62.05.10: Photo of Alfred and Apa Loewenberg (on the far right) sitting outside at a picnic table with two other men not labeled

Date: September 1934

RG-62.05.11: Family group photo in a meadow or countryside. Cornelius, Vera, Margret, Grandmother and Otto are present in the picture. Otto appears to be around 17.

Undated

RG-62.05.12: Photo of Anya and Vera in their bathing suits in a placed called “Pahorzie”

Date: July 1935

RG-62.05.13: Photo of Otto and Cornelius in their bathing suits by the ocean in Dalmatia. Otto is 17.

Date: 1937

RG-62.05.14: Photo of Vera, Otto and Marta in the countryside wearing hiking or picnicking clothing. Otto is 17.

Date: July 1937

RG-62.05.15: Photo of Ernӧ and Alfred and another man unlabeled in a courtyard.

Date: 6 October 1937

RG-62.05.16: Photo of Apa and Otto in Bad Gastein, Austria in front of a waterfall. Otto is 17.

Date: August 1937

RG-62.05.17: Group family picture of Bѐla, Macanѐni, Anya, Vera, Marta, Iritz Maudi, Cornelius and Otto in Dalmatia. Otto is 18.

Date: 17 July 1938

RG-62.05.18: Group photo on a small boat in a harbor including Cornelius, Otto, Marta, Alfred and Oskar. Circa Summer 1938 and probably the same trip to Dalmatia.

Undated

RG-62.05.19: Group photo on a sailboat in a harbor including Oskar, Marta, Cornelius, Otto and Alfred. Circa Summer 1938 and again probably in Dalmatia.

Undated

RG-62.05.20: Group photo in Dalmatia including Otto, Marta, Cornelius and Oskar. They are sun bathing. Circa Summer 1938

Undated

RG-62.05.21: Group photo in Dalmatia including Otto, Cornelius, Oskar and Alfred. They are sunbathing by the beach. Circa Summer 1938

Undated

RG-62.05.22: Otto and Fisher Gyuszi in Belgrade, Serbia walking down the street in suits. Otto is 18.

Date: December 1938

RG-62.05.23: Group family photo on a hill in Toplice, Slovenia. It includes Maca Neni, Cornelius, Anya, Otto and Apa.

Date: 1939

RG-62.05.24: Group family photo in Dubrovnik, Croatia. It includes Oskar, Apa, Cornelius, Marta and Otto.

Date: 1939

RG-62.05.25: Same place, time and people as last entry but it is a second shot and more of them are smiling.

Date: 1939

RG-62.05.26: Photo of Oskar, Cornelius and Alfred in Dubrovnik, Croatia walking up stairs by the ocean.

Date: April 1939

RG-62.05.27: Otto and Cornelius walk down a path together, both dressed in suits.

Date: 1939

RG-62.05.28: Otto, Oskar and Cornelius are standing on a cliff together all dressed in suits. They are either travelling to or from Budapest.

Undated

RG-62.05.29: Otto and Iritz Maudi walk down a street in Belgrade, Serbia. Otto is 19.

Date: April 1939

RG-62.05.30: Photo of Otto sitting with his car on the road. Otto is 19.

Date: 11 April 1939

RG-62.05.31: Otto and a girl sit by a pool or lounge deck together, looking at one another and smiling.

Undated

RG-62.05.32: Anya, Apa Iren, Anya and Fredi’s mother, Anuska, are sitting around a table. The women are playing cards while Apa writes letters.

Date: September 1939

RG-62.05.33: Anya and Iren stand by a harbor together.

Date: August 1940

RG-62.05.34: Otto and Apa sit on a bench together in a park. The photo was developed in Zeljeznica, Serbia and Montenegro.

Date: 1941

RG-62.05.35: Otto is standing with his regiment. They are all smiling and wearing armbands to identify them as Jewish. The back reads: “Otto going into a slave labor camp.” He is 21.

Date: 1941

RG-62.05.36: Otto posing with his regiment in Kiskunhalas, Hungary before going to Bor, Serbia.

Date: 19 October 1941

RG-62.05.37: Otto with many soldiers and some family members including Anya. The caption reads that Otto is about to leave for Bor, Serbia.

Undated

RG-62.05.38: Photo of mostly men dressed in tattered military garb in a disorganized room. There are a few women scattered about as well.

Undated

RG-62.05.39: Otto, Apa and Anya with two other men, one of whom is dressed as a soldier like Otto. They are sitting in a cornfield on wooden boxes. This is before Otto leaves for Bor, Serbia once again.

Date: 12 July 1943

RG-62.05.40: Photo of Arauka and Cornelius playing in the snow. The name of the place is illegible but there is a stamp on the back that reads “military censorship.”

Undated

RG-62.05.41: Fredi is standing in front of a giant waterfall in Veu da Noiva, Madeira.

Date: 1959

RG-62.06 Miscellaneous Photos

RG-62.06.01: Photo of Aliska, Otto’s girlfriend. It was taken a year before she was killed in 1942 in Novi Sad, perhaps in the raids in 1941.

RG-62.06.02: Masha at the Altau See in Austria. She is standing by some cabins. The back has a “military censorship” stamp.

Date: May 1947

RG-62.06.03: Masha is on a boat or a ferry. The place name is illegible on the back of the photo.

Date: 22 March 1948

RG-62.06.04: Photo of four children in coats and hats standing by a wall in Budapest. Their names are probably Robi, Gyrou, Evi and Judit.

Date: 1 November 1948

RG-62.06.05: Picture of a couple just married in the back of a car with a bouquet of flowers. The man’s name is Josef.

Date: 1 June 1953

RG-62.06.06: Photo of a little girl. The caption says that she is Margit’s daughter.

Undated

RG-62.06.07: Portrait of a young man. The caption says that he is Margit’s son.

Date: December 1960

RG-62.06.08: Photo of a street/neighborhood in Novi Sad.

Undated

RG-62.06.09: Aerial view of a palace, it does not say where or when.

Undated

RG-62.06.10: Interview with Masha Loen

Conducted by: United States Holocaust Memorial Museum

Dated: May 11, 1990

2 CDs, USHMM # RG 50.030.0138

Author: Staff

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