Barend Santen was married to Sientje Menko. He worked in a cobbler's workshop in the Eerste van der Helststraat in Amsterdam. Both spouses were in Westerbork in 1942. On 22 October 1942, Barend Santen from Westerbork wrote a postcard for his granddaughter's birthday:
'Dear all,
After queuing for nearly two hours to send a congratulatory telegram, it was refused as not being important. It was so awful I nearly collapsed. I have no choice but to send little Ellen's birthday wishes this way, although the card is bound to arrive too late.'
Sientje Santen-Menko had a sick stamp and she was therefore deported from Westerbork at a later stage than her husband Barend Santen. In 1943, she wrote from Westerbork:
'Dearest children and grandchild,
Just a small card. We will do our best to find father so everything is not yet lost.
Hopefully, we will be able to see each other again soon.
A big hug and kiss for all of you and give little Ellen a double hug from
Granny and mum'.
E. Santen, Aan twee minuten heb ik niet genoeg. Op zoek naar mijn joodse oorsprong (Amsterdam 1983) 17-18, 22-23 and 49
One child that resided at a different address survived the war.
Addition of a visitor of the website
In addition, a Jokos file (number 5726) on this family is at the Amsterdam Municipal Archive. Access is subject to authorization from the Stichting Joods Maatschappelijk Werk.