December 27, 1946
Dear Uncle, Aunt and dear Cousin & Cousins
You probably are very very surprised to receive a letter from Germany and from your close relatives. I am Fritz Baum. I am an electromeister. I am born on January 13, 1896 in Stargard. I am the youngest son of August Baum which was born in 1853 in Stargard and died in 1932 in Stargard. My mother was Emma Baum (Krahn is her maiden name) born in 1857 in Frauburg, which died in 1926 in Stargard which is the oldest daughter of Gustav Krahn which was born in 1831 in Dramburg and died in October 1914. His wife was Wilhelmina Krahn, her maiden name was Kuhl, which was born in January 11, 1827 in Heinrichsfelde and died in November 1914 in Dramburg.
Here you can see in which type of relatives we are together.
Father Kuhl who is in America is my uncle and would be now, if he still would be alive, at the age of 90. Their sons and daughters probably took the parents possession in Gonzales and they can be happy to live on their own land in peace and harmony.
We are not that lucky here in Germany. All my brothers and sisters, including myself, we are 6, we are all married and have kids, did once live in the eastern part of Germany. But the useless war moved all of us from the east to the west. All what we reaped by hard work over the years we had to leave behind us. Without anything, just with a package or a suitcase, we had to leave and start a new life all over again. Myself, I am in trade of Electromeister since 1921 in Stargard which is in Pommerin, and had my own business. Was married since 1935 and have two dearly loved kids, one boy of age of 5 and a girl of 10. Thirty-five years I worked very hard for the house, for the business and we really had it very comfortable. We had everything what we needed and even some money in the savings account. Now we lost everything and are very poor. At the age of 50 I have to start all over again. Foods are very short so there is a lot of times that we are very hungry. There are no clothings available. I still do wear my soldier uniform because I can’t get any kind of suit or pants. Even I am now 1-1/2 year back from American prisoner of war and have found my family here in Westfalen. We live here together as strangers. We don’t own a bed nor any furnitures and we just live because of the help of the people. Most of all we need some food and some clothing. Our little son which got for Christmas the first time some chocolate, didn’t even know what it was.
We as small people had nothing to do with the war as such and didn’t even want it but we still had to fight for it. Those terrible Nazis was the fault of all that. I am very happy to tell you that I was never a part of the party but we are still feeling the consequences. Because we are in such great need I hope that you are well off. I ask if it is possible for you, may we have some leftovers to send us a little package for which we would thank you from the bottom of our heart.
We hope you have a happy and healthy new year. With happy greetings, your Fritz Baum and Frau Frieda and Charlotte and Peter.
This letter was written from Wadersloh in Westfalen, Dorf 82, in Germany.