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Albert Bamberger Collection

 Collection
Identifier: AR 25405

Scope and Content Note

The first series primarily consists of letters written to Albert Bamberger and his aunt and uncle in Baltimore, by his parents and brother in Wiesenfeld, Germany, from 1938 to 1941. The letters mostly concern the (ultimately failed) emigration attempts of Bamberger's parents and brother. Some letters from other family members, such as cousins, are also included, as is a small amount of Albert Bamberger's outgoing correspondence. A detailed description of the letters is provided in the series description.

The second series primarily contains correspondence and materials that document Bamberger's efforts to facilitate his family's emigration from Germany. It includes letters to and from official agencies, transportation companies, and people that Bamberger thought might be able to help.

Dates

  • 1938-1947
  • Majority of material found within 1938-1941

Creator

Language of Materials

This collection is primarily in German, with some English and a small amount of Spanish. Some letters contain individual words in Hebrew.

Access Restrictions

This collection is open to researchers.

Access Information

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

Biographical Note

Albert Bamberger (1921 - ) was born in Wiesenfeld, Germany, to David Bamberger (1889-1942) and Jette (née Ring) Bamberger (1895-1942). He had a younger brother, Arthur Bamberger (1925-1942).

In 1938, Albert's mother was able to acquire an affidavit of support for one family member to immigrate to the United States. Albert was chosen. In October of 1938, he arrived in New York, together with his uncle and aunt, Leo Ring and Liesl Ring. They settled in Baltimore.

Bamberger spent the next three years trying to enable his parents and brother, as well as his grandfather, Markus Hermann Ring, to leave Germany. He spared no effort soliciting support for visas and raising money for bond, ship passages, and the transport of their belongings, but to no avail. In April 1942, Albert's parents and brother were deported to the Izbica concentration camp in Poland and are assumed to be have been murdered there.

During the war, Albert enlisted in the United States army and served in Panama. He was released in 1945, after which he learned the fate of his family. He eventually moved to Kansas City, married, and had two children, David and Joyce. He worked as a grocer and as a rental collection agent for a real estate company until his retirement in 2009.

Extent

0.5 Linear Feet

Abstract

This collection primarily consists of letters written to Albert Bamberger from his parents and brother between 1938 and 1941. His mother was able to acquire an affidavit of support for one family member to immigrate to the United States from Germany, in 1938; Albert was chosen and settled in Baltimore. The letters mostly concern the (ultimately failed) emigration attempts of Bamberger's parents and brother. The collection also contains other correspondence as well as materials reflecting Bamberger's efforts to secure his family's immigration into the United States.

Arrangement

This collection was divided into two series. Documents are arranged chronologically.

Related Material

LBI has digitized Joyce Bamberger's A Right to Return, a fictional account based on her father Albert's attempts to help his family emigrate (MS 795).

Processing Information

Envelopes were removed and documents were unfolded.

Title
Guide to the Albert Bamberger (1921- ) Collection Undated, 1938-1947, bulk 1938-1941 AR 25405
Status
Completed
Author
Processed by Vera Weinberg and Kevin Schlottmann
Date
© 2011
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin
Language of description note
Description is in English.

Revision Statements

  • January 2015:: 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