Kaumheimer family papers, 1935-1940

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Summary

Title:
Kaumheimer family papers
Dates:
1935-1940
Creators:
Kaumheimer family
Abstract:
The collection comprises papers from the families of two German Jewish brothers, Julius and Ludwig Kaumheimer, during the period 1935-1940. Papers include certificates of citizenship, certificates documenting their service in the Germany Army and their awards of the Iron Cross, passports and correspondence. Correspondence relates to the imprisonment of Dr. Ludwig Kaumheimer in Dachau concentration camp after Kristallnacht in November 1938. Also included is a 1939 security directive regarding currency laws restricting access of Dr. Ludwig Kaumheimer and his wife Hilde Kaumheimer to the money in their bank accounts.
Containers:
Folder: Archives Box 4
Extent:
0.1 Linear feet comprising two folders
Language:
and Materials are in German. English translations are available for most documents.
Preferred citation:

[Item] [date], Kaumheimer family papers, 1935-1940, Holocaust Center of Northern California, San Francisco, California.

Background

Scope and content:

The collection comprises documents and correspondence relating to the experiences of two German Jewish brothers, Dr. Ludwig Kaumheimer and Julius Kaumheimer, during the period in which the Nazi party rose to power. Included are 1935 certificates documenting the military service of the brothers in the Germany Army during World War I and their receipt of the Iron Cross. The collection includes certificates of citizenship for Dr. Kaumheimer and for Julius Kaumheimer, his wife and one son. These certificates were issued in advance of emigration, as well as a passport for Fritz Kaumheimer, son of Julius.

Of particular interest may be a Security Directive dated April 1939 which references a currency law and which restricts the access of the Dr. Ludwig Kaumheimer and his wife Hilde Kaumheimer to the assets in their bank accounts.

Correspondence in the collection comprises a postcard sent by Dr. Ludwig Kaumheimer to his wife Hilde during his imprisonment in Dachau concentration camp, after Kristallnacht, in November 1938. Also included is a heartfelt letter sent by Mrs. Kaumheimer to the Gestapo in Munich on November 11, 1938, pleading for her husband's release and in particular noting his military service and his loyalty to Germany.

Biographical / historical:

Dr. Ludwig Kaumheimer was a pediatrician who lived in Munich, Germany. He was born on May 1, 1881 in Munich, Germany. Dr. Kaumheimer was the deputy chairman of a children's insitute in Munich operated by the Central Verein (Central Organization); he was active in the founding of the institute and provided volunteer services for over 30 years. His wife, Hilde Rosenberg Kaumheimer, born November 2, 1901 in Berlin, managed the institute from 1928 until 1932. She and Dr. Kaumheimer were married in 1933.

Dr. Kaumheimer was arrested in Munich after the Kristallnacht pogroms of November 1938, and was imprisoned in Dachau concentration camp. He and his wife Hilde emigrated from Germany in 1939.

Julius Kaumheimer, a businessman, was an older brother of Dr. Ludwig Kaumheimer. He was born on February 9, 1880 in Munich. His wife, Selma Landauer Kaumheimer was born June 5, 1890 in Ulm, Germany. The Kaumheimers lived in Stuttgart, Germany and emigrated with their four children -- Hans, Fritz and twin daughters Margerita and Ruth to Merano, Italy in 1939 and from there to San Francisco, California.

The Kaumheimer family had a valuable collection of porcelain figurines, which were confiscated by Italian authorities when they entered that country in 1939 and assigned to the National Museum in the Castle of Buonconsiglio in Trento. Many years later, the Jewish community of Merano sought restitution for the owners of the porcelain collection and in 2002 the Kaumheimer collection was allocated to the community. Attempts by the Jewish community of Merano to locate the Kaumheimer family were not successful until they contacted HIAS (Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society). HIAS placed an ad in the Aufbau, a German Jewish newspaper, which was answered by Julius's son John (formerly Hans.) Surviving members of the Kaumheimer family visited the museum in Merano, Italy where the porcelains were kept, and were once again reunited with this collection.

Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard

About this collection guide

Collection Guide Author:
Finding aid prepared by Judith Janec
Date Encoded:
This finding aid was produced using the Archivists' Toolkit 2011-11-01T12:54-0700

Access and use

Restrictions:

There are no restrictions to access for this collection.

Terms of access:

There are no restrictions to use for this collection.

Preferred citation:

[Item] [date], Kaumheimer family papers, 1935-1940, Holocaust Center of Northern California, San Francisco, California.

Location of this collection:
JFCS Holocaust Center
2245 Post Street
San Francisco, CA 94115, US
Contact:
(415) 449-3717
HolocaustCenter@jfcs.org
Website