Letters, 1946-1957
Willy Carl’s story is just one example of how important solidarity can be and the sometimes decisive role that the connection to one’s place of origin and those left behind plays in migration contexts. The Second World War and the Nazi regime leave devastation. People across Europe suffer the consequences. Germany is particularly hard-hit. Not only are food supplies very scarce, but so are clothing and medicine. Additionally, Europe is struck by a very harsh winter in 1946/47 – despair and misery spread. Willy Carl is born on April 10, 1904, in Sonneberg in Thuringia. He dreams of studying music, but his parents have other plans for their son. Willy’s father is a well-known porcelain expert and wishes for a suitable commercial education for his children. As the economic situation in Germany does not favor Willy, he decides to emigrant to the USA. In 1927, he leaves Germany and seeks a new opportunity in New York City. During the time of the Nazi regime, Willy loses contact with his parents who stayed behind. He can only reestablish this contact in 1946. Willy is determined to help his family through the difficult times and regularly sends packages to support them. He notifies his family about his packages in letters, such as in his letter dated August 30, 1947. He supplies his family with food, clothing, medicine for his father, and items that are difficult or impossible to obtain in Germany, such as a coffee grinder. Several times, his packages are intercepted and do not reach his family. Willy will never see his family again – he passes away in 1957. After his death, his girlfriend Helen takes over the care of their relatives.
