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Wartensleben-Levi-Rosenbaum-Klippstein Collection

 Collection
Identifier: AR 6635

Scope and Content Note

The Wartensleben-Levi-Rosenbaum-Klippstein Collection pertains to the genealogy and history of these related families. Included are genealogical tables and photocopied documents. Photocopies consist of a narrative history of the family, photographs, clippings, and official documents such as birth, marriage, and death certificates.

The collection's first folder holds genealogical tables, separated into two parts: the Wartensleben-Levi genealogy and the Klippstein-Rosenbaum genealogy. The genealogy consists of both family trees and genealogical tables; the latter focus on each generation of the family, while the trees provide an overview of the family branches. Additionally included are two pages of Yad Vashem Testimony for Levi family members and a poem.

Folders 2 through 4 relate to Ruth Makower's history of the family. Folder 2 holds the narrative text of the family's story, and includes an introduction, indices, and a supplement in addition to copies of photographs and newspaper clippings. The narrative largely centers on her memories of family members, especially her parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles. It also describes her experiences growing up in Gießen, the family's household help, and some of the family's customs. There are two indices: the index of individuals identifies where they are mentioned in the genealogical tables and remembrances, while the index of photographs relates to the photocopied photos found in the narrative. Folder 3 primarily holds copies of birth and death certificates of family members along with copies from registers, vaccination certificates, identification papers, marriage certificates, and a plan showing the layout of buildings in Groß-Bieberau. Places frequently seen in these documents include Gießen, Groß-Bieberau, and Rodheim an der Bieber. Folder 4 holds histories of the Jewish communities of Groß-Bieberau, Rodheim, and middle Franconia. It also contains a copy of the essay "My Childhood" by Melitta Stillschweig née Rosenbaum, who grew up in Gießen.

The final folder of the collection documents deaths of the Levi family, with copies of obituaries, Jahrzeit dates, and pages of memorial albums for several Levi/ Levy family members.

Dates

  • 1791-1986
  • Majority of material found within 1980s

Creator

Language of Materials

The collection is in English and German, with some Hebrew.

Access Restrictions

Open to researchers.

Access Information

Collection is digitized. Follow the links in the Container List to access the digitized materials.

Use Restrictions

There may be some restrictions on the use of the collection. For more information, contact:

Leo Baeck Institute, Center for Jewish History, 15 West 16th Street, New York, NY 10011

email: lbaeck@lbi.cjh.org

Biographical Note

Ruth Makower née Rosenbaum was born in Gießen, Germany, the daughter of the businessman Manfred Rosenbaum and his wife Marta Levi. Manfred Rosenbaum and his father owned the largest wholesale business in Gießen for haberdashery, textiles, and related goods. Ruth grew up in Gießen, where the family attended the Orthodox synagogue. She had a brother, Robert.

In 1936 the family sold their business in Gießen and moved to Frankfurt am Main, where they stayed for two years before emigrating to Palestine along with Ruth's grandfather and several aunts and uncles. In Palestine Ruth was a member of the Haganah.

Extent

0.25 Linear Feet

Abstract

The Wartensleben-Levi-Rosenbaum-Klippstein Collection pertains to the genealogy and history of these related families. Included are genealogical tables and photocopied documents. Photocopies consist of a narrative history of the family, photographs, clippings, and official documents such as birth, marriage, and death certificates.

Arrangement

The collection is arranged in one series.

Related Material

Related is the manuscript "The Levis of Gross Bieberau: a family history," by Vic Levi (AR 11580).

Processing Information

The collection was rearranged during processing in April 2014. Folders were given titles and arranged alphabetically.

Title
Guide to the Wartensleben-Levi-Rosenbaum-Klippstein Collection 1791-1986 AR 6635
Status
Completed
Author
Processed by Dianne Ritchey
Date
© 2014
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin
Language of description note
Description is in English.
Edition statement
This version was derived from Wartensleben-Levi-Rosenbaum-Klippstein.xml

Revision Statements

  • August 2014:: Links to digital objects added in Container List.

Repository Details

Part of the Leo Baeck Institute Repository

Contact:
15 West 16th Street
New York NY 10011 United States