Porzellangasse
Porzellangasse is an historic street in the 9th district where I live. Its name comes from the Imperial Privileged Vienna Porcelain Manufactory, which operated there from 1721 to 1864. The area is part of a vibrant, French-inspired neighborhood called Servitenviertel. I have walked this street many times. There are some wonderful restaurants here that I enjoy. My local post office is here.
Porzellangasse credit: https://www.zeitenspruenge.at
One day recently, that street name clicked for me. Years ago, as I was just beginning this research, several documents appeared. They showed my grandma Ricky’s and grandpa Paul’s names and address on sales receipts for a jeweler named Josef Keindl. No surprise there. My grandparents needed money to get out of Austria. The receipt was dated March 10, 1939, one day before they fled Vienna forever. Heartbreakingly, along with a bracelet and some other items, the receipts also show they sold their gold wedding rings.
I had been going to the post office located next door to what was once Josef Keindl Jewelers for months, not realizing the importance of this address. Now I had the opportunity to take it all in, to explore the builid
1 silver women’s watch, 1 silver sports chain, 1 gold wedding ring
1 chrome ladies bracelet watch, 1 gold wedding ring
Researching my grandparents’ history through documentation is incredible - to hold a piece of paper that they once held during the Nazi era, or to show me the steps they took in their escape. The truly amazing connection comes when the papers guide me to the very street or building where that event happened. It is there the history comes alive. I see some of what they saw. I get a window into their world. It is sad, yes, but it also brings me closer to them.