Father Antoni Gerwel collection

Consists of a typed transcript copy of a letter, with translation, describing the Holocaust experiences of Father Antoni Gerwel, a Polish Catholic priest who perished in the Dachau concentration camp on August 31, 1942. The letter was written on July 22, 1977 by Father Jan Żelaźnicki to Father Gerwel's nephew, Jędrzej Gerwel. In the letter, Father Żelaźnicki explains that Father Gerwel was a priest in Kadzidło, Poland, and that they were deported together to Dachau in April 1940. Both were sent to Gusen and separated, but reunited again in Dachau. Father Gerwel volunteered to go to a special camp for the disabled, where they were told they would be able to return home faster; he died there of a stomach ailment. The letter was translated by Father Gerwel's grand-niece, Agnieszka Gerwel. Also includes a manuscript, 34 pages, by Agnieszka Gerwel, regarding her great-uncle's history, the history of Dachau, and the memory of Polish Catholic priests at Dachau. Includes copies of photographs and documents.