Papers From Our Past
Certificate
United States
Freida W. came to America at age thirteen. After thirteen years in America, she became a citizen. After becoming a citizen, she was awarded this certificate of citizenship. Ethan S.'s great-great grandmother, Vera R., came with her daughter, Freida, at age forty seven in 1928. Since they were from Russia, Vera received an immigration card. This object is important to the S. family because Ethan S.’s grandmother, Barbara W. K., was born in America and if Vera and Freida didn't come to America, Ethan’s grandmother wouldn't have met his grandfather Herman W. in America. The S. family has kept these items because they are a part of Ethan S.’s family heritage.
The S. will cherish these certificates for many generations.
Duck Recipe
Hungary
Jordan E’s maternal great grandmother Yoli S, who is of Hungarian origin, was taught this recipe by her Hungarian housekeeper after the Holocaust. This recipe was taught to the family in Los Angeles after the Holocaust. This object is significant to the R, S, and E families because it’s a traditon in the family to eat the duck while celebrating.Today the recipe is still used to make duck for the many happy occasions that the family shares. This recipe is important to the R, S & E families.
This recipe is important to the R, S & E families.
Wedding Invitation
Poland
This invitation is from Bailey L’s paternal great-great grandparents inviting guests to the wedding of his great grandparents. They were made for his great grandparents’ wedding, who at the time, were living in Poland and were planning on moving to Palestine as pioneers. It is significant to his family because it relates to a historical event in his family’s history. His family has kept these historical items because it is the only thing they have left from their family who had been living in Poland. It has taught them where his Polish ancestors had once lived.
The L family has learned a lot from this object.
Citizenship Papers
Scranton, Pennsylvania
Ami R received these citizenship papers from his paternal grandfather’s and grandmother’s records. Ami’s grandparents received these when they immigrated to the United States after the Holocaust. They applied to be citizens because they wanted a better life in the United States of America. Their names were Berel R and Rachel R.
These objects will remain in the family for generations on end.
Article
United States
Nathaniel G. received this newspaper article from his maternal great grandfather. Nathaniel G. maternal great grandfather, Nathan G., wrote this newspaper article in 1983. The article explains how Nathan buried his friend Elmer. Then, after World War II, he spent a lot of time trying to locate the grave. His family then hired a Romanian researcher to assist them in locating the grave. With using the details of the article, the researcher found a cemetery where Elmer may be buried. The G. family has learned many stories from this object.
The G. family has learned many stories from this object.
Passport
Palestine
Isaac F’s maternal great grandfather got his passport from the United states in 1934. His name was Isaac H and he was born in Brooklyn. Isaac’s family has kept this object over the years because it tells the family about Isaac. This document helped him get into America. This passport is important to the F and H families.
This passport is important to the F and H families.
Diary
Hungary
Kira E received this diary from her maternal great-great grandfather. Kira E’s maternal great-great grandfather Jozsef C wrote this diary when he was a prisoner in a Labor camp in Nagycenk, Hungary during the Holocaust. The story behind this object is that during the Holocaust, Jozsef C wrote letters to his wife, Erzsebet, whom he became separated from during the war. He wrote the letters in the form of a diary , but he was not able to send them since he did not know her whereabouts. Jozsef C died in the labor camp one day before the liberation of the camp. His wife and daughter both died in Auschwitz. The diary was given to his son, Lazslo, after the war. The diary was written in Hungarian, and Kira’s family got a copy translated into English. The diary is not in use today, but the original copy of the diary is being preserved in Yad Vashem in Israel.
The N and E families have learned many stories from this diary.
Birth Certificate
Italy
Hannah B received this birth certificate from her paternal great grandfather Nathan B. Hannah B’s paternal great grandfather, Nathan B, received this new birth certificate at a DP camp in Italy in 1949. Nathan B lost his birth certificate in the Holocaust and he received a new one. To get a new birth certificate, the town of Barletta issued him one with two witnesses. This birth certificate is significant to the Blum Family because it’s the way they got to America, and it’s their family’s history.This valuable object will remain in the B family for many generations.
This valuable object will remain in the B family for many generations.
Program
Germany
Atara M’s maternal great grandfather, Henry S, received this program when he entered the Nuremberg trials as an American audience member. It is a significant object because it is a memento of Atara‘s great-grandfather’s youth and service in the American army during the war. It is also of great significance for the Jewish history of that time. The story behind this program is of World War II and of the Nuremberg trials that tried many Nazi criminals for their war crimes.
The S & M families will cherish this object for many generations to come.
Papers
Germany
Joseph F received one document from his maternal grandmother and one from his paternal grandmother. Joseph F’s maternal grandmother received this when Joseph F’s great grandfather passed away. Joseph F’s grandfather received it in 1946 in Germany during the Holocaust. He is one of the fortunate families that got to leave before Hitler took over.
This valuable document will remain in the F and D families.
Papers
United States
Ilana K’s paternal grandparents Abraham and Lusia K, received their documents of civilization from the federal government of the United States of America. Abraham and Lusia got this form because it was necessary for them to have it to become American citizens. These documents are significant to the K family because they are symbols of freedom.
The K family has kept this object because they are very special to them.
Papers
Berlin, Germany
Aaron L received this document from his paternal grandfather. Aaron L’s paternal grandfather, Sam L, applied for this document from the government of Germany. Sam was a Holocaust survivor, and he lost most of his family in the war. He wanted to go to America after the war, so he applied for this paper that allowed him to go to America. This paper documents Sam Lubat’s survival of the Holocaust. It also describes his tattoo from his concentration camp. Finally, it marks his first step to a new life in America.
The L family will cherish this document for many generations.