Early in 2009 Simon was
approached by Brian Jospepher, author of Roosevelt and the Holocaust, and
subsequently Mrs Miriam Heimler, of the Heimler Foundation, to undertake a
piece of research looking into the possibility of a) the existence of a
printed published version in the original Hungarian of Dr Eugene Heimler's
novel Night of the Mist (A Köd ejszakaja) and b) the whereabouts of
the original hand written manuscript. This work involved him in contacting a
variety of Holocaust organisations worldwide and also individual Holocaust
survivors and children of survivors. He has spent some months working on
this project with no firm leads as yet, but it is intended to extend this
project in the early part of 2010, when a further trip to Hungary, Dr.Heimler's homeland and the place from whence he was deported to Auschwitz
Concentration and Death Camp in 1944, will be made. At the National Museum
in Budapest there are many early Post-War Journals, any one of which may
hold Dr Heimler's original published copy of his Holocaust memoir. In order
to keep both commissioners appraised in the most accessible way possible, he devised a series of folders (easily possible to email to the clients) on my
computer and he logged each correspondence with each individual or
organisation. These responses were colour coded according to the time they
were made or received in this stages project.
Here follow two testimonials regarding the research work he undertook regarding the above project:
I met Simon in a modern way: via Craigslist. I placed an advertisement,
looking for a researcher with knowledge in the Hungarian language. As a
writer and historian, I needed to do some research that I, a non-Hungarian
speaker, could not do.
Simon answered the ad, along with his partner Nigel. When we spoke by phone,
I felt Simon's immediate warmth. We spoke about more than my research. We
spoke about the energy of New York (my place of residence). We spoke about
the beauty of France (Simon's place of residence). We spoke about growing
old (circumstances surrounding my dog). We spoke, in essence, about life. I
admit: I trusted Simon immediately.
Still, I told myself that trust has to be earned. After all, Simon's
research for me would not be supervised. There would be no way for me to
check on him. Would I be getting my money's worth?
Those questions immediately vanished when Simon presented me with his first
report. The depth and breadth of his initial research was astonishing. I
pride myself on my research acumen. It pales compared to Simon's. I say that
proudly. Simon's research is thorough, careful, analytical, precise,
punctual. His initial research turned into longer, and more in depth,
reports. I felt fortunate (even blessed) to have stumbled upon Simon.
The research clearly inspired Simon. Not only did he spend his own time
engaged in my research (this was something we never talked about, but I
suspect he put forth many of his own hours), but he travelled to both London
and Hungary as a tourist. And while in country, he took time to work on my
behalf. Blessed, indeed.
The type of research I engaged Simon to do was instinctual on my part. The
guidelines were hazy. We were searching for a needle in a haystack. If that
needle existed. If that haystack existed. So far, we have failed in our
research endeavours. But of course there's no failure. There's only time
spent. And with that time comes great learning. I've learned so much from
Simon's research. And I'm still hopeful that in the future we'll find what
we're looking for. I think Simon is hopeful, too. Which only adds to his
allure. Simon is a hopeful, kind person, with a great researcher's faculty.
What more could one want in a researcher?
Brian Josepher
“Simon O’Corra is undertaking some research work on behalf of me and the
Heimler Foundation, looking into
a) the whereabouts of an original Hungarian MS of my late husband Dr,
Heimler, Jeno's Holocaust memorial 'A Kod éjszakája' and
b) the possibility of this memoir having been published in the original
Hungarian.
Thus far I have been very impressed with Simon's research. Simon has devised
an accurate and accessible way of recording his contacts, their statements
and the flow of information between him and them.
He has also been most willing to assist me in making connections with old
friends and colleagues of my husband through his research work, and in
addition has undertaken some small translation issues for my work in
translating my late husband's diaries.
Simon is an expert investigator, is thorough in his approach and leaves no
stone unturned.
He is quick in his work and communication with him per e-mail is immediate
and easy. It is a pleasure to work with him.
I can whole-heartedly recommend Simon to carry out research projects,
particularly about the holocaust”.
Miriam B. Heimler
The Heimler Foundation
