Description
Phyllis Helene Mattson was born in Vienna, Austria in 1929 to Jewish parents of Polish citizenship. In the early phase of
the Holocaust her parents, fearing for her life, sent her to live in San Francisco with a distant relative. From 1940-1946
their only communication was through the letters that form this collection. Phyllis was reunited with her father in 1946,
but her mother died in a death camp.
Background
Phyllis Helene Mattson was born in Vienna, Austria in 1929 to Jewish parents of Polish citizenship. When Hitler took Austria
in 1938 it became part of Germany leaving her parents stateless. Her father, Samuel Finkel, was arrested (for his stateless
status) in March of 1939 and sent to Kitchener Camp in England. Her mother, Laura Finkel, after failing to get both herself
and Phyllis out of Austria and fearing for her daughter’s safety sent 10 year old Phyllis to live in San Francisco with a
distant relative. She arrived in San Francisco through a program that quietly brought refugee children to sponsoring families
in the United States.
Extent
Two pamphlet boxes.
(0.7 Cubic Feet)
Restrictions
All requests for permission to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the City Archivist. Permission
for publication is given on behalf of the San Francisco Public Library as the owner of the physical items.
Availability
The collection is available for use during San Francisco History Center hours, with photographs available during Photo Desk
hours. Collections that are stored offsite should be requested 48 hours in advance.