Charles Millett (Karl Sinai) Papers, 1930-1982

Collection Overview

Title: Charles Millett (Karl Sinai) Papers, 1930-1982

Predominant Dates:1930 -- 1945

ID: RG-37/RG-37

Creator: Sinai family (1930 -- 1982)

Extent: 0.0

Arrangement: Materials are arranged by subject/creator, then by identifier, as assigned by the processor.

Languages: Chinese [chi], Japanese [jpn], Russian [rus], German [ger], English [eng]

Abstract

This record group contains material related to the Sinai Family history. All included collections relate to the immigration from the Nazi-controlled Austria, the life in the Hngkew district of Shanghai, the Jewish ghetto, and the further immigration in postwar time to Australia and eventually to the United States.

Scope and Contents of the Materials

This is a collection of official documents issued by Chinese and Japanese administration in relation to the residence of European Jews in the Hongkew District of Shanghai. There are immigration documents related to the Sinai family, as well as official Chinese and Japanese publications regulating residential, business, and personal affairs in Shanghai. This record group contains three sub-collections, namely the collections of the Official Publications, of the Personal Documents and Artifact of the Sinai Family; and the family photographs.

Biographical Note

Administrative Information

Access Restrictions:

No restrictions

Copyrighted materials, credits to and references to the Los Angeles Museum of the Holocaust are required

Digital copies might be available upon request

Use Restrictions: Copyrighted materials

Box and Folder Listing

Sub-Collection 1: Sinai family papers, 1930 --1945

The Sinai family belonged to the upper middle class of Austrian society in the interwar period.

After the November Pogrom (November 1938), the family fled Austria for Shanghai, China.

The Japanese authorities allowed Jewish immigrants from Europe to settle in the district of Shanghai. It was the area of restrictive Jewish housing. The Jewish refugees had to be in compliance with the numerous rules and regulations issued by the Japanese military and civilian authority, as well as with the provisions issued by the local Chinese municipal authorities.

This collections contains documents reflecting the family life in the interwar Austria and largely they focus on the Shanghai period (the wartime period).

Subject/Index Terms:: Jews in interwar Austria, social status; Jewish-Austrian relations in interwar Austria, 1918 -- 1939; Atrocities against Jews in the Nazi-annexed Austria; anti-Jewish measures and legislations; Flight from Austria, 1938 -- 1939; Shanghai (China: Ghetto); survival tactics

Creators:: Sinai family (1930 -- 1982); Japanese military and civilian authorities of Shanghai, 1939 -- 1945 (1939 -- 1945); Chinese municipal authorities of Shanghai (1939 -- 1945)

Document/Artifact of Item-Level 1: Karl Sinai, Birth Certificate, 27 November 1937

The birth certificate of Karl Sinai, who later became Charles Millett after his family had immigrated to Sydney, Australia. Sinai was born on 27 November 1937, but the document was issued on 8 January 1938.

Subject/Index Terms:: Family history documents; Birth certificates; Jewish life, pre-war; Legal document; German, language; Documents in German language; Vienna, Austria; Austria (1933-1939); Jewish cultural community of Vienna

Creators:: Jewish Cultural Committee in Vienna, Austria

Document/Artifact of Item-Level 2: Grete Sinai, Contract of apprenticeship with the family business Reiss Brothers, 1930, 15 September 1932

It is a contract signed by Grete (Reiss) Sinai, entering into two-year business appenticeship with the family businnes the Brothers Reiss. The Contract was made through the Das Gremium der Wiener Kaufmannschaft (Commerce Board of Vienna). The document is signed by the vice president and secretary of the Commerce Board, as well as Grete's supervisors.

Subject/Index Terms:: family papers; Personal Documents; Education and training; Business apprenticeship; Family businesses; Brothers Reiss, metalworking firm, Vienna; German, language; Documents in German language; Legal document; Vienna (Austria); Austria (1900 -- 1932); Commerce Board of Vienna; Proof of employment

Creators:: Das Germium der Wiener Kaufmannschaft (Commerce Board of Vienna); The Brothers Reiss (1930 -- 1932)

Document/Artifact of Item-Level 3: Notice for Compensation Applications

This document contains information about eligibility for reparation payments from the Austrian government, as well as the procedures for filing claims. Attached are two papers granting power of attorney to Dr. Heinrich Gmoser, a lawyer in Vienna.

Subject/Index Terms:: Vienna, Austria; Vienna State Government; family papers; Restitution-related documents; Wartime restitutions; Dr. Heinrich Gmoser, attorney, Vienna; German, language; Vienna (Austria); Austria (1900 -- 1932); Documents in German language; Legal document; Brothers Reiss, metalworking firm, Vienna; Reiss, Grete; English, language; Documents in English language

Creators:: Amt der Wiener Landesregierung (State Government of Vienna)

Document/Artifact of Item-Level 4: Grete Sinai, Divorce Settlement Papers, German translation, 25 March 1945

This document verifies the divorce between Ernst and Grete Sinai and lays out an agreement concerning the custody division of the children and possessions to which the two shall adhere to in the future.

Subject/Index Terms:: family papers; Divorce settlements; Marital affairs; Legal document; Shanghai (China); German, language; Documents in German language; China (1912--1949); Japanese military and civilian authorities, China

Creators:: Japanese military and civilian authorities of Shanghai, 1939 -- 1945 (1939 -- 1945)

Document/Artifact of Item-Level 5: RG-37.01.05, Grete Sinai, Certificate of completion of the apprenticeship training, 1932,, 16 September 1930

This documents certifies that Grete Sinai completed the apprenticeship training at the Brothers Reiss establishment under the guidence fo the Viennese Commerce Board in 1932

Subject/Index Terms:: Family businesses; Business apprenticeship; Brothers Reiss, metalworking firm, Vienna; Education and training; German, language; Documents in German language; Commerce Board of Vienna; Vienna (Austria); Austria (1900 -- 1932); Legal document

Creators:: The Brothers Reiss (1930 -- 1932); Das Germium der Wiener Kaufmannschaft (Commerce Board of Vienna)

Document/Artifact of Item-Level 6: Grete Sinai (Margaret Eva Millett), death certificate, 14 June 1982

A document issued by the city of Melbourne to confirm and record the death of Margaret Eva Millett (Grete Sinai) at the age of 66. Her occupation is listed as housewife and her place of death is noted as the town of Fitzroy.

Subject/Index Terms:: family papers; Personal Documents; Death Certificate; Legal document; English, language; Documents in English language; Melbourne (Australia)

Creators:: State of Victoria (Australia)

Document/Artifact of Item-Level 7: Grete Sinai, air passage receipt, 27 October 1946

A receipt issued by a travel agent indicating that a sum of $400 was paid by Grete Sinai for airfare between Manila and Sydney.

Subject/Index Terms:: air travel; Illegal Immigration; Jewish Immigration; Documents in English language; English, language; Sydney (Australia)

Creators:: Philippine Air Lines, Inc.

Document/Artifact of Item-Level 8: Grete Sinai, passenger receipt, 26 October 1946

A receipt issued by the airline showing $225 was paid by Grete Sinai and her child for a flight from Hong Kong to Manila.

Subject/Index Terms:: air travel; Jewish Immigration; Illegal Immigration; English, language; Documents in English language; Hong Kong (China); Manila (Philippines)

Creators:: Philippine Air Lines, Inc.

Document/Artifact of Item-Level 9: Karl Sinai, application for non-immigrant visa to U.S., 24 October 1946

This document lists the date and place of Karl Sinai's birth and states that Karl's stay in the US is limited to a few hours as he makes his way to Australia. It is noted that Karl is travelling with his mother, Grete Sinai. Grete signs for Karl.

Subject/Index Terms:: air travel; Jewish Immigration; Illegal Immigration; Documents in English language; English, language; Hong Kong (China); Vienna (Austria); Australia

Creators:: American Foreign Service

Document/Artifact of Item-Level 10: Grete Sinai, dictated will, Shanghai, 6 September 1944

A will dictated by Grete Sinai, drafted by Hans Ledien. Grete's will makes provisions for Karl's future in the event of her death. She forbids her former husband, Ernst Sinai, from having custody of Karl and claims that he is a drug addict. Instead, she appoints Mrs. Valerie Sinai (nee Mayer) of Shanghai as Karl's guardian.

Subject/Index Terms:: Family history documents; family papers; Shanghai (China: Ghetto); English, language; Documents in English language; Personal memoirs and recollections; Legal document

Creators:: Hans Ledien; Grete Sinai

Document/Artifact of Item-Level 11: Grete Sinai, O.R.T. certificate, 3 June 1945

This certificate documents Grete Sinai's successful completion of a six-month machine knitting course.

Subject/Index Terms:: Shanghai (China: Ghetto); family papers; English, language; Documents in English language; identification photograph; Society for Promotion of Handicrafts and Agriculture (ORT); Legal document; Vienna (Austria)

Creators:: Society for the Promotion of Handicrafts and Agriculture for Jews in the Far East

Document/Artifact of Item-Level 12: Instrument Publishing Change of Name for Grete Sinai and her son, 18 December 1947

This Certified Copy Order No. 17676 documents Grete Sinai and her son Karl Sinai's official name change. Grete Sinai adopted the Christian name of Margaret Eva and adopted the Christian name of Charles Harry for her son. She also adopted the substituted surname of Simpson for herself and her son. The document was received into the Office of the Registrar General 18 December 1947.

Subject/Index Terms:: Jewish Immigration; family papers; English, language; Documents in English language; Legal document; Sydney (Australia); Office of the Registrar General at Sydney

Creators:: Office of the Registrar General at Sydney in the State of New South Wales

Document/Artifact of Item-Level 13: Anna Reiss (Grete Sinai), Australia, Department of Immigration, Official Correspondence, 9 April 1962

This official correspondence asks for Anna Reiss (Grete Sinai) to send a photograph to the Commonwealth Migration Office to comply fully with the laws of the Aliens Act 1947-1959.

Subject/Index Terms:: Immigration to Australia; family papers; official correspondence; Legal document; English, language; Documents in English language

Creators:: Department of Immigration, Australia

Document/Artifact of Item-Level 14: Grete Sinai, Application for US Nonimmigrant Visa, 24 October 1946

This document lists the date and place of Grete Sinai's birth and states that Grete's stay in the US is limited to a few hours as she nad her son make their way to Australia.

Subject/Index Terms:: Immigration to Australia; family papers; Jewish Immigration; Legal document; Hong Kong (China); identification photograph; Vienna (Austria); American Foreign Service; Australia; English, language; Documents in English language

Creators:: American Foreign Service, Hong Kong

Document/Artifact of Item-Level 15: Letter to Federal Ministry for Property of Austria, 1947, 18 January 1947

A letter from Grete Sinai to the Federal Ministry for Property of Austria. The document is in German.

Subject/Index Terms:: family papers; Confiscation of Jewish property--Germany; German, language; Documents in German language; Legal document

Creators:: Grete Sinai

Document/Artifact of Item-Level 16: Charles Millet, Biography

A short, typed biography of Charles Millett (Karl Sinai). It must be noted that the series of events took place when Millett was still a child, and his recollection of events cannot be counted as fact.

Subject/Index Terms:: family papers; Jewish Immigration; Personal memoirs and recollections; autobiography; English, language; Shanghai (China: Ghetto); Australia; Documents in English language; day-to-day life in ghettos

Creators:: Charles Millett (Karl Sinai)

Document/Artifact of Item-Level 17: Grete Sinai, Gebrueder Reiss firm, job verification (copy), 15 September 1932

This certificate verifies Grete Sinai's employment at Gebrueder Reiss in Vienna, Austria from 15 September 1930 to 15 September 1932 and describes her as a hard worker. The letter is in German.

Subject/Index Terms:: family papers; Jewish life, pre-war; Vienna (Austria); German, language; Documents in German language; Legal document; Brothers Reiss, metalworking firm, Vienna; Proof of employment

Creators:: Gerbrueder Reiss Law Firm

Sub-Collection 2: Japanese and Chinese official documents

This collection contains documents from the Sinai family's time spent in China and Japan. It includes official government documents as well as personal letters in Chinese.

Subject/Index Terms:: Shanghai (China: Ghetto); Immigration to Shanghai, China; Illegal Immigration

Creators:: Ernst Sinai; Charles Millett (Karl Sinai); Grete Sinai; Japanese military and civilian authorities of Shanghai, 1939 -- 1945 (1939 -- 1945); Shanghai Jewish Youth Association

Document/Artifact of Item-Level 1: Ernst Sinai, Census Form, Shanghai

This Pao Chia Census Form documents Ernst Sinai's date of arrival in Shanghai, his residence, and the relationship, sex, age, nationality, passport information, occupation, marrital status, and length of residence of each of his family members. It lists Ernst Sinai; his mother, Valerie Sinai; his wife, Grete Sinai; and his son, Karl Sinai. The document is in English and in Chinese.

Subject/Index Terms:: Jewish Immigration; Illegal Immigration; family papers; Immigration to Shanghai, China; English, language; Documents in English language; Chinese, language; Documents in Chinese language; Shanghai (China: Ghetto); Navy Pao Chia Office, Shanghai Municipal Police; Ghetto census; Legal document

Creators:: Navy Pao Chia Office, Shanghai Municipal Police

Document/Artifact of Item-Level 2: Karl Sinai Resident Certificate (Chinese and English)

This certificate lists Karl Sinai as an Austrian refugee and contains his photograph and thumb prints. The certificate is in Chinese and English.

Subject/Index Terms:: Jewish Immigration; Illegal Immigration; family papers; Shanghai (China: Ghetto); Immigration to Shanghai, China; Restricted Housing; Identification documents; identification photograph; Chinese Civil Authorities, Shanghai; English, language; Chinese, language; Documents in English language; Documents in Chinese language; Fingerprint

Creators:: Chinese municipal authorities of Shanghai (1939 -- 1945)

Document/Artifact of Item-Level 3: Grete Sinai, Certificate of Residence, Shanghai, 6 July

This Certificate of Residence for Shanghai contains Grete Sinai's photograph and is written in English, Japanese, and Russian.

Subject/Index Terms:: Immigration to Shanghai, China; Jewish Immigration; Illegal Immigration; family papers; Restricted Housing; Identification documents; identification photograph; Chinese Civil Authorities, Shanghai; English, language; Documents in English language; Shanghai (China: Ghetto); Fingerprint; Russian, language; Documents in Russian language; Japanese, language; Documents in Japanese language

Creators:: Japanese military and civilian authorities of Shanghai, 1939 -- 1945 (1939 -- 1945)

Document/Artifact of Item-Level 4: Grete Sinai, Registration of Foreigners, 18 July 1942

This document registers Grete Sinai as a foreigner in the Shanghai French Concession. It is written in both French and English.

Subject/Index Terms:: Immigration to Shanghai, China; Illegal Immigration; Jewish Immigration; family papers; Restricted Housing; French, language; Shanghai French Concession; English, language; Documents in French language; Documents in English language; Shanghai (China: Ghetto)

Creators:: Shanghai French Concession Police

Document/Artifact of Item-Level 5: Grade Reports for Karl Sinai Issued by Shanghai Jewish Youth Association School, 25 December 1942 -- 25 December 1945

Grade reports written by Karl's instructors at the school. He receives high marks in almost all classes and is described as intelligent and willing to learn. One report mentions that Karl is clever, but needs to behave better.

Subject/Index Terms:: family papers; Shanghai (China: Ghetto); Jewish life; Restricted Housing; English, language; Documents in English language

Creators:: Shanghai Jewish Youth Association School

Document/Artifact of Item-Level 6: LA Times Article about the Shanghai Ghetto, 15 July 1997

This article details the hardships faced by Jews who lived under Japanese rule in the Shanghai Ghetto and their guilt about having escaped the atrocities being committed in Europe.

Subject/Index Terms:: Newspaper Article; Shanghai (China: Ghetto); family papers; Restricted Housing; Newspaper headlines; English, language; Documents in English language; Photographs, postwar, 1945 -- 1988; Los Angeles Times, newspaper, American; Chu, Henry

Creators:: Henry Chu; Los Angeles Times

Document/Artifact of Item-Level 7: Mr. Sinai (Ernst) eyeglasses prescription, 5 October 1942

An eyeglass prescription issued to Ernst Sinai by Dr. W. Bender.

Subject/Index Terms:: family papers; Shanghai (China: Ghetto); English, language; Documents in English language; Shanghai (China); Chinese, language; Documents in Chinese language; Personal Documents

Creators:: Dr. W. Bender

Document/Artifact of Item-Level 8: Grete Sinai, job verification and reference, 19 February 1946

This letter by the Wembley Knitwear manager verifies Grete Sinai's employment from July 1945 to February 1946 in Shanghai. The letter also describes her as an excellent employee.

Subject/Index Terms:: Shanghai (China: Ghetto); family papers; Jewish life; Restricted Housing; English, language; Documents in English language; Correspondence in English language; official correspondence; Wembley Knitwear

Creators:: Wembley Knitwear; J. Spalter

Document/Artifact of Item-Level 9: Grete Sinai, job reference as a chief manager, 30 June 1946

This letter verifies Grete Sinai's employment as a chief manager at Queen Models from 21 February 1946 to 30 June 1946. The letter describes her as an honest and reliable person. The letter states that Grete Sinai is leaving the position to go to Australia.

Subject/Index Terms:: Restricted Housing; Jewish life; Shanghai (China: Ghetto); family papers; English, language; Documents in English language; Proof of employment

Creators:: Queen Models

Document/Artifact of Item-Level 10: Karl Sinai, Letter in Chinese, 28 February 1942

A letter written in Chinese.

Subject/Index Terms:: Shanghai (China: Ghetto); family papers; Personal Documents; Jewish life; Restricted Housing; Chinese, language; Documents in Chinese language; Personal correspondence

Creators:: Charles Millett (Karl Sinai)

Document/Artifact of Item-Level 11: Grete Sinai, Document in Chinese

A document written in Chinese.

Subject/Index Terms:: Shanghai (China: Ghetto); Chinese Civil Authorities, Shanghai; Restricted Housing; family papers; Personal Documents; Jewish life; Chinese, language; Documents in Chinese language

Creators:: Japanese military and civilian authorities of Shanghai, 1939 -- 1945 (1939 -- 1945); Japanese Military Authorities

Document/Artifact of Item-Level 12: Ordinance of Japanese Military Authorities in Shanghai on the introduction of a ghetto regime, 17 February 1943

An ordinance issued by the Japanese Military Authorities in Shanghai introducing a ghetto regime in the Restricted Sector for Stateless Refugees. The document is written in English.

Subject/Index Terms:: Japanese military and civilian authorities, China; The Imperial Japanese Army and Navy Authorities; Jewish life; family papers; Restricted Housing; English, language; Documents in English language; Legal document; Shanghai (China: Ghetto)

Creators:: Japanese military and civilian authorities of Shanghai, 1939 -- 1945 (1939 -- 1945); Japanese Military Authorities; The Imperial Japanese Army and Navy Authorities

Document/Artifact of Item-Level 13: Permit for Sojourn in the Kwantung Province

An official Chinese document written in Chinese. The title Permit for Sojourn in the Kwantung Province is written in English.

Subject/Index Terms:: Restricted Housing; Shanghai (China: Ghetto); Chinese Civil Authorities, Shanghai; Jewish life; family papers; English, language; Chinese, language; Documents in English language; Documents in Chinese language

Creators:: Chinese municipal authorities of Shanghai (1939 -- 1945); Japanese military and civilian authorities of Shanghai, 1939 -- 1945 (1939 -- 1945)

Sub-Collection 3: Family Photographs, 1926--1946

A collection of family photographs. The various albums include photographs from Shanghai and Australia. Includes photographs of Grete Sinai as a child as well as various relatives.

Subject/Index Terms:: family photographs; Shanghai (China: Ghetto)

Creators:: Sinai family (1930 -- 1982)

Document/Artifact of Item-Level 1: Karl Sinai, Album 1, 1937--1938

The early life of Grete's son Karl is documented through photographs. Nearly all of the photographs feature him in some way--occasionally with his mother, occasionally with his grandmother. The second photograph is of an unidentified cathedral, with caption "Wachau 1937".

Subject/Index Terms:: family photographs; Jewish personal belongings; Jewish life, pre-war; Photographs, ghettos; Photographs, family members; German, language

Creators:: Sinai family (1930 -- 1982)

Document/Artifact of Item-Level 2: Karl Sinai, Album 2, 1937

This album documents a trip through Italy. Photographs include Rome, the island of Capri, and the towns of Positano, Florence, and Venice. The family visited landmarks in each city. From Rome there are photographs of the Vatican. From Venice, the Cathedral of St. Mark.

Subject/Index Terms:: family photographs; Photographs, pre-Second World War; Jewish personal belongings; Jewish life, pre-war; Italy (1922--1940); Rome (Italy); Capri (Italy); Positano (Italy); Venice (Italy); Florence (Italy); Photographs, family members

Creators:: Sinai family (1930 -- 1982)

Document/Artifact of Item-Level 3: Karl Sinai, pages from family album (1)

Pages from the Sinai family photograph album.

Subject/Index Terms:: Personal belongings; Jewish life, pre-war; Photographs, pre-Second World War; family photographs; Photographs, family members

Creators:: Sinai family (1930 -- 1982)

Document/Artifact of Item-Level 4: Karl Sinai, pages from family album (2)

Pages from the Sinai family photograph album.

Subject/Index Terms:: Photographs, pre-Second World War; Photographs, family members; Jewish life, pre-war; family photographs; Photographs, children; Photographs, cities

Creators:: Sinai family (1930 -- 1982)

Document/Artifact of Item-Level 5: Sinai-Reiss-Simpson-Millet, family photographs 1

Sinai-Reiss-Simpson-Millet family photographs.

Subject/Index Terms:: family photographs; Personal belongings; Jewish life, pre-war; Photographs, cities; Photographs, children; Photographs, family members; postcards

Creators:: Sinai-Reiss-Simpson-Millet Family

Document/Artifact of Item-Level 6: Sinai-Reiss-Simpson-Millet, family photographs 2

Sinai-Reiss-Simpson-Millet family photographs.

Subject/Index Terms:: family photographs; Personal belongings; Jewish life; Photographs, family members; Photographs, children

Creators:: Sinai-Reiss-Simpson-Millet Family

Document/Artifact of Item-Level 7: Sinai-Reiss-Simpson-Millet, family photographs 3

Sinai-Reiss-Simpson-Millet family photographs.

Subject/Index Terms:: family photographs; Jewish life; Personal belongings; English, language; Photographs, children; Photographs, cities; Photographs, family members

Creators:: Sinai-Reiss-Simpson-Millet Family

Document/Artifact of Item-Level 8: Sinai Family, Album 3

A large number of the photographs in this album document Grete's life as a girl and young woman. The earliest dated photograph is from 1922, although the span of the remaining photographs is wide. Location of the photographs is never noted, but is assumed to be Austria. the last several pages contain an unidentified woman sitting by a beach and a man with glasses.

Subject/Index Terms:: family photographs; Jewish life, pre-war; Personal Documents; Photographs, family members; Photographs, children; Austria (Europe); Photographs, cities

Creators:: Sinai family (1930 -- 1982)