Klopstock family papers

The Klopstock family papers include biographical material, emigration and immigration material, correspondence, publications, and photographs documenting Johanna Klaus and Norbert, Hilda, Ruth, and Liselotte Klopstock’s immigration to the United States from Berlin in 1940. The collection also includes documents and correspondence from Norbert Klopstock while imprisoned at Sachsenhausen concentration camp in Germany and the Kitchener internment camp in Richborough, Kent. Biographical materials include a copy of Hilda Klopstock’s birth certificate and a German passport and identity card for Johanna Klaus (Hilda’s sister). Emigration and immigration materials include correspondence, immigrant questionnaires, affidavits, and packing lists documenting Hilda, Ruth, Liselotte, and Johanna’s successful effort to obtain visas andimmigrate to the United States from Berlin. Also included in the series are correspondence, applications, and money transfers relating to Norbert’s effort to leave Kitchener in England and immigrate to the United States. Klopstock family correspondences include a postcard from Norbert while imprisoned at Sachsenhausen concentration camp, telegrams sent to Kitchener for Norbert informing him of his family’s safety, and correspondence between family members about daily life and plans to leave Germany. Subject files include report cards, certificates, and reference letters for Ruth from various schools and institutions and report cards for Liselotte and Norbert. This series also includes records documenting Norbert’s time in the Kitchener internment camp, including a pamphlet titled, While you are in England: Helpful Information and Guidance for Every Refugee, an identity card, documents regarding transit to the camp, a letter of reference, and a permit to leave the camp. Publications include a magazine titled Some Victims of the Nazi Terror, which contains photographs and propaganda information about the Kitchener camp in Richborough, England. The series also includes newspapers Aus alter und neuer Zeit and N.Y. Saats-Zeitung und Herold. Photographic materials consist of a photograph of Hilda Klopstock’s cousin.

The Klopstock family papers are arranged as six series: Series 1: Biographical materials, approximately 1922-1939 and undated Series 2: Emigration and immigration materials, approximately 1921-1945 Series 3: Klopstock family correspondence, approximately 1920-1941 Series 4: Subject files, 1902-1940 Series 5: Publications, approximately 1930-1945 Series 6: Photographic material, undated