Von: KFULSTER1@aol.com ()
  Datum: 16.07.98, 04:34:25
Betreff: Re: Conditions in Germany

Thank you so much for sharing your letter about the conditions in Germany in
1927.  My mothers family is descended from that area but my direct
descendents, on her side, came to America before that time.  They seem to be
the lucky ones.

I found it fascinating reading, as my father grew up in Germany until 1932
when he came to America.  He grew up in Schleswig Holstein but the stories
seem to be the same from all over Germany.  He used to tell me stories, when I
was a child, about the horrible inflation and poverty there.  He said he was
lucky because he lived on his grandparents farm for much of his childhood and
at least they always ate.  However, he did talk about inflation being so bad
that he would be sent to the store with a wheelbarrow of money for just a loaf
of bread.

The inflation even caused a family rift between my Grandfather and his
brother.  The story goes that my Grandfather, upon leaving for America in
1920, sold his brother his part of the family farm for the equivalent of
$25.00 in German money.  The agreement was that his brother would send him the
money in America.  His brother sent him the same amount of German Marks as
payment during the inflation and it then wasn't worth anything because of the
inflation.  His brother felt vindicated that he sent the money.  My
grandfather felt cheated that he sold him the farm before the inflation and
should have gotten the equivalent of before inflation prices.  Myself, I
really don't care anymore who was right and who was wrong.

My father's mother died when he was about 3 years old.  His father left for
America, when his son, my father, was about 6.  My grandfather's plan was to
send for his son when he found his 'pot of gold' in America.  That never
happened and my father lived with his maternal grandparents who eventually
lost ownership of the large family farm, in the inflation, and couldn't take
care of my father anymore.  His maternal grandparents went from wealthy
landowners to a small apartment in Hamburg with the wife and daughters doing
housework to pay the rent and eat.  My grandfather couldn't find a job.  His
family believes that this blow to his manhood and change in lifestyle changed
him forever.  They say he was never the same again.  I still have contact with
one of the daughters and her family.  It is many years but she still can't
talk about those times and only cries when asked.  She is 90 and I don't ask
anymore.

My father then went to live with his paternal grandparents until his
grandmother died and his grandfather was unable to care for him.

Next, he was raised by his Uncle, a professor of law and author who managed to
live in a small apartment in Hamburg.  It is said that this Uncle was a
millionare before the inflation and lost it all.  He then became a millionaire
again and lost his holdings, etc. in WWII.  He never fully regrouped but did
not die a pauper.

My father finally emigrated to America in 1932, when he turned 18, and was old
enough.

As you can see, your story touched me and brought back many memories of my
father.  Even as an adult, he would get misty (even though he hated it) when
he told the story of his lamb that was given to him as a pet.  It was never to
be slaughtered.  But, the inflation came and he and his family had to eat.
His pet lamb ended up on the table.  He obviously never fully got over that.

Thanks for sharing your story.  I hope that adding my family's stories can
only add to the understanding of the time and the place.
Karen