Memory in Steyr: The fate of the Schirok family in the Holocaust

Memory in Steyr: The fate of the Schirok family in the Holocaust

The dark history of the "Reichskristallnacht" is reminded for the 86th time on November 9, 2024, a commemoration day that recalls the massive crimes in the Jewish population in Austria. Waltraud Neuhauser-Pfeiffer, a committed historian, brings the painful fate of the Schirok family to light to show how deeply the National Socialist persecution also penetrates in Steyr.

Ludwig Schirok, who was born in Poland in 1881, worked in Steyr as a "bristle" and, together with his second wife Netty, led a brandy and general store at Fabrikstraße 14. After the suicide of his first wife Elisabeth in 1913, Ludwig found a new life partner with Netty. It is particularly tragic that Netty, pressed by the increasing threat from the Nazi regime, committed suicide on April 10, 1938-just one month after the "connection" of Austria, in which the National Socialists took power.

escape and persecution

Like many other Jews, Ludwig Schirok was also forced to sell his home after the upper -age discrimination and persecution determined his everyday life. The sale of his house, which he had acquired in 1919, was part of a broader act in which the National Socialist regime benefited from the expropriations of the Jewish population. The financial exploitation in the form of taxes was also widespread.

at the end of 1938 forced the situation of Ludwig to move to Vienna. The city always became a fear of the impending arrest at the place of its last years in which he changed the residential address. In the meantime, his children made it from the first and second marriages to survive the terrible situation - they fled to different countries, including Palestine, Great Britain and the USA.

in Vienna Ludwig found a third wife in Gisela Vogelhut. But the horror took no end. Before they were deported, the couple was forced to sign a "special power of attorney". This document transferred all remaining rights to the "Central Office for Jewish Emigration". This hideous forced situation illustrates how the regime brought the Jewish population to a complete loss of their identity and existence.

On December 3, 1941, Ludwig and Gisela Schirok were finally deported from Vienna to Riga. Her tragic history came to an end there - both were murdered. These cruel deeds are part of the darkest chapters of history, which underlines how important it is to keep the memory of the victims awake.

In order to preserve the memory of Ludwig and Netty Schirok, two "stumbling blocks" were inaugurated in front of their former house at Fabrikstrasse 14 in June 2024. These stones symbolically stand for the many lost life and the grief for those who have been persecuted and murdered by the Nazi regime. Waltraud Neuhauser-Pfeiffer is committed to a comprehensive information about these atrocities in order to keep memory to the victims and to sensitize future generations.

For more information about the sad fate and the memory work, a detailed report on www.tips.at are read.