Guide to the Frank and Trixie Wachsner Collection
Special Collections & Archives
University Library
California State University, Northridge
18111 Nordhoff Street
Northridge, CA 91330-8326
Contributing Institution:
Special Collections & Archives
Title: Frank and Trixie Wachsner Collection
Creator:
Wachsner, Frank and Trixie
Identifier/Call Number: OCH.FTW
Extent:
4.33 linear feet
Date (inclusive): 1941-circa 2013
Abstract: Frank and Trixie Wachsner were both
children of Jewish refugees who fled to Shanghai to escape persecution during World War II.
The collection consists of items related to their experiences living in China and the
reunions they attended in later years to reconnect with other "Old China Hands."
Language of Material: English,
Chinese,
Hebrew,
German
Biographical Information:
Frank Wachsner (1919-2013) and Trixie Braun Wachsner (1926-2014) were both children of
Jewish refugees who fled to Shanghai to escape persecution during World War II. The two met
while living in China, were married in 1946, and settled in the United States in 1947.
Scope and Contents
The
Frank and Trixie Wachsner Collection consists of items
related to the couple's experiences living in China. The collection dates from 1941-circa
2013 and is composed of two series:
Personal Materials
(1941-circa 2013) and
Reunions (1990-1992).
Series I,
Personal Materials, includes biographical narratives
collected by Frank and Trixie's son, Tim Wachsner, along with newspaper clippings and
publications on the topic of China, a photograph of the opening of the first refugee
synagogue in Shanghai founded by Frank's father, Lutz Wachsner, and a certificate of
registration issued in Shanghai allowing Trixie's father, Walter Braun, to practice as a
doctor in the International Settlement. Also included is the travel trunk used by the
Wachsner family during World War II, a butter knife, and letter opener. The files are
arranged alphabetically by subject and chronologically within.
Series II,
Reunions, documents various social gatherings
attended by Frank and Trixie for the purpose of reconnecting with others who lived in China
during World War II. The series is arranged chronologically by reunion year and contains
contact information, correspondence, photographs, postcards, programs, name tags, newspaper
coverage, notes, and travel brochures. Of particular note is a roster of Anaheim Reunion
participants organized by the camp or school lived in or attended while in China.
Arrangement of Materials:
Series I: Personal Materials, 1941-circa 2013
Series II: Reunions, 1990-1992
Conditions Governing Access:
The collection is open for research use.
Conditions Governing Use:
Copyright for unpublished materials authored or otherwise produced by the creator(s) of
this collection has not been transferred to California State University, Northridge.
Copyright status for other materials is unknown. Transmission or reproduction of materials
protected by U.S. Copyright Law (Title 17, U.S.C.) beyond that allowed by fair use requires
the written permission of the copyright owners. Works not in the public domain cannot be
commercially exploited without permission of the copyright owners. Responsibility for any
use rests exclusively with the user.
Accruals:
2015
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Frank and Trixie Wachsner, Tim Wachsner, 10/01/2002
Preferred Citation:
For information about citing items in this collection consult the appropriate style manual,
or see the
Citing Archival Materials
guide.
Processing Information:
Jessica Geiser, 2013
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Documents
Photographs
Series I: Personal Materials, 1941-circa 2013
Box 1, Item 1
Certificate of Registration issued by the Shanghai Municipal Council allowing
Dr. Walter Braun to practice medicine in the international settlement of
Shanghai,
1942 December 28
Box 1, Item 2
Photograph of the opening of the first refugee synagogue in Shanghai, founded
by Lutz Wachsner,
1941 November 10
Box 2, Folder 1
Biographical Narratives,
ca. 2013
Box 2, Folder 2
"China: the destination of the 80s," by Travel Headquarters,
Inc.,
1981
Box 2, Folder 3
National Geographic, Shanghai Issue,
1994
Box 2, Folder 4
Newspaper Clippings,
1982, 1994
Series II: Reunions, 1990-1992
