Surname given as BITTERER in Nothmann Family Collection, 1978 and BITTUER on her Brazilian visa which gives her date of birth as 07/03/1903; neither version is a likely German surname. On a visit to the US her maiden name was recorded as BITTNER and her place of birth as Katoucice (sic). German Federal Archives also give BITTNER, and say she was born in Kattowitz on 07/03/1903. The 1940 passenger list also gives her place of birth as Kattowitz.

Kurt and Mathilde sailed from Lisbon to New York City en route to his father in Lima. The 1940 passenger list gives their last permanent address as Brussels, Belgium.