Irena Russocka (Rothenberg) Archives — Fragments that Remain

Birth Records

Roza ROTHENBERG 1900B PL_1_300_2200_0074 (1).jpg

Irena (left) her mother Francziska Propst, and sister Helena circa 1907

Images of Stryj at the turn of the century.

Marriage to Count Zygmunt Wladysław Emil Józef Maryja Russocki 1928

Translation:

It happened in the Administrative office of the parish of Zbawiciel ( Redeemer), 5th May 1928 at 11A.M . Let it be known that in the presence of witnesses Witold Grzybowski , landowner and Władysław Gnoiński , official of the Catholic parish , first witness residing on Rurzki Estate , in the district authority office of ?ochewski and the second in Warszawa . A religious marital union took place between Zygmunt Wladysław Emil Józef Maryja, Count from Brzeci Russocki , age 30 , bachelor, landowner, born in Gaju ( Grove) Smolinski, district of Broda, son of Włodzimierz Józef Wiktor and Helena née Wincentyna née Gnoiński, residing in Warszawa on ulica Róziej ( Rose Street ) #3 and Miss Irena Marja Rotenberg Sołomirecka , age 24. Bride lives with father. Born in Stryja, daughter of Paweł and Franciszka, née Probert, residing in Warszawa on Koszykowa Street, #11 . The marriage was preceded by the announcement of three banns , one in the parish church of Św. Antoniego (Saint Antnony) and Św. Krzywa ( Holy Cross) on 8th April this current year. The other two were in the Cathedral in Lwów by the Archbishop of Warszawa on 11th April, this current year , number 1980 . The newlyweds confirmed that they had no prenuptial agreement. This religious rite was performed by Father / Pastor Edward Swięckiego , curate here . This record was read by newlyweds and witnesses, signed by us and by them .

Birth of son, Wlodzimierz Russocki (James) May 29th 1929, Warsaw

The mystery of Irena’s true identity.

Wartime Passport

Hiding Moshe, August 1942

The apartment building where Irena and James were living in 1942/3

In August 1942, Irena (who was working with the Polish Resistance) took in a starving Jewish boy aged about six or seven whom James found on the sleeping on their street. His name was Moshe and he escaped from the Warsaw Ghetto. She hid and cared for him for 7 months, hoping to get him to safety. This was impossible, with the Germans patrolling the entrance and exits to the city.

On March 7th 1943, Irena and James were arrested and taken to the Gestapo Headquarters in Warsaw. They were seperated and James was sent to Mauthausen Concentration Camp. They were not to see each other again until they met in Vienna after the war. James was 13 years old. It is not known what happened to Moshe.

A Red Cross search revealed Irena registered in Vienna on March 11th 1943, where she remained for the rest of the war.