In 1945, following liberation from the German
occupation, the Oestreicher family nest was rewoven.
Clara
Oestreicher-Kisch,
Felix Oestreicher and
Gerda Oestreicher-Laqueur did not
survive the war.
Of the Oestreichers who went through the Second World War, I am the
only one still alive. My grandparents, parents and aunts actually
experienced two world wars. These realizations led me to the idea of
creating a website about the Oestreichers.
In my eyes they were all special people with very specific talents and
ideas. They never rested on their laurels, sought their own solutions
in good times and bad, and did their fair share for society.
Grandfather Laqueur and my father’s two sisters,
Lisbeth
Birman-Oestreicher and
Marie Oestreicher (Maria Austria), provided
loving homes for me and my sisters
Beate and
Maria – the daughters of
Felix Oestreicher and
Gerda Oestreicher-Laqueur. They provided a second
carefree childhood as if we were their own children. Together with
their spouses and with Mieke Mesdag (our legal guardian) they guided us
toward adult independence. Their attitude was to focus on the present
and the future. They encouraged learning, a social conscience and
solidarity with mankind.
We had been accustomed to scarcity, but with increased prosperity our
lives gradually became richer in possessions and opportunities.
We, the Oestreicher ‘triplets’, thanks to our grandparents, aunts and
uncles, have been able to live fulfilled lives after the horrors of the
Second World War.
This site contains a concise visual biography of each member of the
Oestreicher family. Having written the life stories of all my family
members, I realise I am both a part and a product of this family.
I am interested to see what reactions there will be from near and far.
The site can be a beginning. After all, life goes on for the
Oestreicher children, albeit under different names.
Helly Oestreicher
Amsterdam 2013
Genealogy