Gretel Mayer Collection
Scope and Content Note
Materials within this collection include correspondence, photographs, family documents dating back to the 18th century, travel documents and naturalization papers.
The largest group of materials are 19th century documents and papers, housed in the second folder, pertaining to Gretel Mayer's ancestors Samuel Meyer and his son the manufacturer Simon Meyer (the spelling seems to have changed to Mayer later in his life). Much of these are vital documents with information on births, deaths, and marriages. A substantial number of documents, including Schutzbriefe (letters of protection), citizenship certificates, residency permits, and Führungszeugnisse (attestations of good character) offer insight into their lives as well. Of special note are two Khalitzah documents and a decree dating to the mid-18th century. Other materials in the collection include a small amount of Gretel Mayer's personal correspondence and some personal papers, including documents from her emigration to the United States and from her restitution claim. In the final folder are a number of family photographs, both snapshots and posed studio portraits, which show both Gretel Mayer herself and relatives in her extended family.
Dates
- 1736-1998
Creator
- Mayer, Gretel, 1906-1995 (Person)
Language of Materials
This collection is in German, Hebrew and English.
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
Librarian, born in Darmstadt in 1906. Emigrated to the US, via France, in 1936.
Extent
3 Folders
Abstract
Materials within this collection include correspondence, photographs, family documents dating back to the 18th century, travel documents and naturalization papers.
- Aschaffenburg (Germany)
- Correspondence
- Darmstadt (Germany)
- Frankfurt am Main (Germany)
- Genealogical tables
- Heldenbergen (Nidderau, Germany)
- Jewish librarians
- Jews -- Legal status, laws, etc. -- Germany
- Legal documents
- Library of Congress
- Mayer, Gretel, 1906-1995
- Meyer, Simon, 1840-
- Photographs
- Restitution -- Germany
- Schutzjuden -- Protected Jews
- United States
- United States -- Emigration and immigration
- Title
- Guide to the Gretel Mayer Collection, 1736-1998 AR 10634
- Status
- Completed
- Author
- Processed by Kate Jadwin
- Date
- © 2012
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
- Language of description note
- Finding aid written in English.
Revision Statements
- February 05, 2015 : Links to digital objects added in Container List.
Repository Details
Part of the Leo Baeck Institute Repository