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. Norbert Klopstock (b. 1896) was born in Berlin and owned a retail plumbing supply store that was confiscated under the Nazi regime. He married Hilda Klaus (b. 1894) and had two daughters Ruth (b. 1922) and Liselotte (b. 1931) On Kristallnacht, Norbert was arrested and imprisoned at Sachsenhausen concentration camp. After his release, he managed to escape to England, where he was interned in the Kitchener internment camp. Hilda, Ruth, and Liselotte fled Germany through Italy and arrived in the United Stated in early 1940. Norbert joined his family in March 1940.