Hellmann, Hedwig

The collection holds diaries, memoirs, reports, letters and papers pertaining to five generations of the Hellmann-Kirchberger family. A prominent topic is the life of the family in the Lahn area in Rhineland in the 18th and 19th century. Additional topics are the emigration from Nazi Germany and immigration to the United States. Letters and diaries that are included in the collection draw an intense picture of the distinct impacts of historical and social events from the 18th until the beginning of the 21st century.

The collection contains letters and postcards as well as photographs and slides. The majority of letters were written by Hildegard Josephine L. Wirtz to her mother-in-law, Hedwig Hellmann. The letters document her wedding with Ulric Hellmann and then follow her emigration to the United States. Photographs and slides show mainly the Wirtz family and document the wedding.