Verdoner family in their garden

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. Francisca and Yoka Verdoner playing at home and in the garden with a large metal spinning top toy. VS, of the children playing with several family members- identified in original documentation that accompanied films as Grandma and Grandpa Vinkeles (Hilde's parents). More scenes in the garden with unidentified family members, sitting and talking. Yoka and Francisca continue to play in the BG, and FG. VS, MCU, CU, MS Yoka and Francisca picking mushrooms in the garden with their mother, Yoka eats one of the mushrooms.