Paul Reichenbach to Rudolf Simonis

English translation

J. Reichenbach — postal checking account Hamburg 5173 — telephone 2116 Halberstadt, 17 April 1935 Mr. Rudolf Simonis Berlin-Friedenau Odenwaldstraße 19 Mr. Georg Wollenberg here gave me your letter of 27 March 1935 today. Mr. Wollenberg is a cousin by marriage and obtained his knowledge only through me. Immediately after the Easter holidays I shall give you detailed information about where and how you may be able to conduct your research. The letter in your possession is the one I received from the community of Gröbzig. It is certain that at the beginning of the eighteenth century our family lived in Gröbzig. It is also certain that my great-grandfather went into the field with the Prussians from Gröbzig and did not return. He is said to have fallen at the Berezina. It is further established that Lieutenant Katte, while fleeing Frederick William I, was sheltered for four or five days by a female ancestor. The community files from Köthen are said no longer to be in Köthen but in Dessau. After Easter I shall go immediately to Gröbzig and perhaps determine in the cemetery there how many Reichenbachs are buried there. Yours respectfully, [signature] [A second letter begins below:] 4 February 1936 To the City Archive, attention Dr. C. Becker, Halberstadt, Brombergerstraße 4 Because of a prolonged absence from here, I am only today able to attend to your letter [text continues beyond the photographed area].

Complete English translation of the legible text prepared for the Reichenbach Family Archive. Brackets identify text that is blank, damaged or not securely legible.