Born: Munich, Germany, 14 January 1906
Profession in country of origin: Household Duties
Arrived in Britain as a refugee from Germany in 1939
Documents
1939 Register Lena Renkazischok 14 Jan 1906 Female Unemployed Refugee Married Schedule 249 Number 9
Source: National Archives, Home Office: Aliens Department: Internees Index, 1939-1947.
B. Non-transmigrants Name of ship: Samaria Steamship Line: Cunard White Star Limited Names and descriptions of ALIEN passengers embarked at the port of Liverpool Date of Departure: 22nd May 1940 Where bound: New York Contract ticket number: 44750 Port at which passengers have contracted to land: New York Names of passengers: Renkazischo[c]k, Lina / Ellen / Ruth Class: 3rd Ages of passengers - Adults of 12 years and upwards - Accompanied by husband or wife - Males - / Females 34 Ages of passengers - Adults of 12 years and upwards - Not accompanied by husband or wife - Females - Children between 1 and 12: 3 / 2 Infants: - Last address in the United Kingdom: Kitchener Camp, Richborough Profession, Occupation, or Calling of passengers: Household Duties / None / None Country of last permanent residence: England Country of Intended Future Residence: USA / USA / USA Country of which Citizen or Subject: Stateless / Stateless / Stateless
Source: National Archives: Passenger Lists leaving UK 1890-1960.
Editor’s note: We are not allowed to reproduce National Archives (UK) images, but we are permitted to reproduce the material from them, as shown above.
Memories
A Tribute To My Mother, Lina Renka, wife of Herman Renka (Renkazischok), resident of Kitchener camp, 1939
My mother gave me life and she also saved my life. She was instrumental in getting my family out of Germany during Hitler’s reign. Her very strong disposition and determination enabled her to stand up to Nazi officers and plead for our visas.
As we get older we tend to reflect on the things that have happened in one’s life, and thinking back on what my mother did for my father, my sister, and me makes me wish that I could thank her once again and give her a long loving hug. As her daughter, I wish that she never would have had to be put in a position to stare into the face of a Nazi officer and plead for her family’s safety. My mother was a remarkable woman who confronted danger during those terrible years, and with persistence she achieved what she set out to do.
She is sorely missed, and is forever in my heart and in my thoughts.
Ruth Silverman
Photographs
Submitted by Ruth Silverman for her parents