Postwar: Verdoner children emigrate to the US
Creator(s)
- Francisca Verdoner Kan
- Otto Verdoner
- Gerrit Verdoner (Camera Operator)
- Yoka Verdoner
Biographical History
The Verdoner Family - Gerrit and Hilde Verdoner, their children Yoka (b.1934), Francisca (b.1937) and Otto (b.1939) - were Jewish. In May 1940, when the Germans overran the Netherlands, Nazi decrees aimed specifically at Jews forced Gerrit out of his business and Yoka out of her second grade class. When the Nazis commandeered their home, the Verdoners went to live with Gerrit's parents in Amsterdam. Shortly thereafter, Gerrit and Hilde decided to place the children in hiding. Their foresight enabled the children to survive and save these family films. Hilde entered Westerbork on December 18, 1942, while Gerrit had a job with the Jewish Council. On September 29, 1943, after the collapse of the Jewish Council and Gerrit's narrow escape from the Germans, Gerrit found refuge in a hideout on a farm. On January 8, 1944 Hilde was sent to Auschwitz. After the war, Gerrit managed to reunite with his children and other surviving family members. The Verdoners emigrated to the US in 1946.
Scope and Content
VS, the three Verdoner children - Otto, Francisca and Yoka playing in the woods. This footage was shot post war, the Verdoner children were hidden children. Their mother Hilde was deported to Auschwitz and perished during the war. Cut to Otto on the deck of a ship SS Gripsholm. VS, of the three children on deck, as well as other women. They are on board the ship that took them from Europe to the US in 1946. High angle, MLS, Francisca sits on a bench on deck and waves to the camera. CU, an unidentified woman aboard the ship.
Subjects
- NETHERLANDS
- JEWS
- SURVIVORS (JEWISH)
- DISPLACED PERSONS (DP)
- IMMIGRATION
- FAMILIES
- WOMEN
- SHIPS
- POSTWAR
- CHILDREN (JEWISH)
- CHILDREN
Places
- Hilversum, Netherlands
Genre
- Amateur.
- Film