Arbeits Kommando (Work Camp) 1749/L - Austria 1942

As far as I'm aware, the family I am trying to trace have the surname Kolleritsch. I believe the frau was married to a man with the surname Strametz with 2 children Herbert and a younger girl whose name I am not sure of. I believe she remarried a man with the name Kolleritsch at some time before 1951, her husband having been killed towards the end of the war. In the short time I was in Schwanberg I saw a few people with that surname on the town war memorial. I have managed to find one family with the surname Kolleritsch living in Schwanberg and am presently trying to have a letter I wrote accurately translated into German (a language I regret not being able to speak). I am keen to find any living relatives of this family, but really should have tried this many years ago!

 

Hi Karen,

Today I have spoken to Erwin Urban, son of Marianne Urban born 1946. I have send him some of your pics to double check we have the correct Marianne Urban. He was surprised to hear that Donald Kitchener was Australian, his mum always talked about English guys working in the vineyards and otherwise enjoying themselves unlike in some of the other work camps. He also remembers someone called John (Evans?) visiting them in 1963/65 sometimes.
Erwin understands some English, but cannot speak much and would not be able to write in English. He is on Email though and if you would find a way to communicate in German from your side I would ask him to send you a message (address as PM to me please). Meanwhile I am happy to assist, since I am also eager to see the result of my research.
Hope to have more by next week.
I can also try to find out about that other Family called Kolleritch, mentioned by murrayscot.
Stefan.

 

Hi Karen,

having send the first 2 pics to Erwin, he called and confirmed that the house in called Haus Weingarten still existing and owned by the family. And yes it is his mum Marianne. I will send him the other 2 pics as well.

Stefan.

 

Hi Stefan. Any information regarding the Kolleritsch family would be gratefully appreciated.

 

Hi murrayscot,

the local telephone directory lists both names, Strametz and Kolleritsch, but I will ask Erwin Urban about the details you gave with the pics.

Stefan.

 

N.B. Was your dad also Australian?

 

No. My dad was born and brought up in Newcastle Upon Tyne, England. He moved to Scotland when he married my mother and remained here for the rest of his life.

 

Thanks Stefan. Any information would be great.

 

Hi Karen,

Edwin just confirmed the following:
1. The house still exists and is called Weingartenhaus Urban. The son of his cousin lives there, his name Dieter Urban.
2. Toni and Franz, he had to pass on that picture to another relative and is expecting an answer soon.
3. Marianne Urban which passed away in 1986 is again confirmed.
4. The two kids with Pepi Pongratz are Gerolf and Hartmut, cousins of Edwin. Hartmut also passed away already.
5. No news to the picture with Frau Joebstl and daughter.

And his name is not Erwin, but Edwin Urban. Sorry my mistake.

Stefan.

 

Hi again,

I have contacted Edwin again to search for this other family as well.

Stefan.

 

Hi Karen and hi murrayscot,

I have new information for both of you. If you don't mind I will separate the two request for help tomorrow.
The new thread will be Schwanberg POW for your request murrayscot.

Stefan.

 

Hi Karen,

the house called Weingartenhaus (previously called Totz, which were the owners up until 1907) already existed around 1716 and is today owned by Gerold and Dieter Urban. The two pics attached originate most probably from 1998 and around 1900 and I think match very nicely your pics in the earlier posts. The postal address is Waldstrasse 79 in A-8541 Mainsdorf Austria.
Good luck with contacting the Urban family, tell me if you need help.

Stefan.

 

Hi Karen,

any News from your side?

Stefan.

 

Thanks to Stefan I now have an address to write to. This may be the family of the people who ran the farm my father worked on while in work camp 1749/L
I will keep everyone updated on this development.