Budapest Székesfőváros Árvaszékének iratai

The Holocaust was not only the largest genocidal operation in 20th century Hungarian history, but also a gigantic campaign to systematically rob the wealth of Hungarian Jewry. In Hungary, the Europe-wide campaign of robbery usually referred to by the name of Aryanization had various initiators and a large segment of benefactors in society while it was also planned as a state-directed and -controlled process. When the secret decree of April 7, 1944 was accepted concerning the so called de-Judaization of Hungary, it was also decided that Jews could bring 50 kgs of their belongings to the ghettos but no money, jewellery or golden or other valuables. A mere three days later, a circular notified the Orphan's Courts (Chanceries) of Hungary that they were allowed to handle the wealth of Jews. The fact that it was uncertain whether Jews had died was supposed to be no hindrance and Orphan's Courts could thus assume the role of guardian. The most important governmental decree (1600/1944) creating the legal basis for robbery in Hungary was subsequently passed on April 16. Orphan's Courts thus became major holders of stolen wealth during the Holocaust and the records of the Orphan's Court of Budapest held at the Budapest Municipal Archives are therefore of special interest to the study of the history of the Holocaust.