American-Jewish Autobiographies
Scope and Contents
The collection relates primarily to the immigration experiences of Jews who left Europe between 1900 and the 1930s and settled in the U.S. Included are autobiographies entered in the contest as well as autobiographies received after the contest. Correspondence with contestants, lists of contestants, notes, planning and publicity materials.
Dates
- Creation: 1942-1970s
Creator
- Yivo Institute for Jewish Research (Organization)
Biographical / Historical
In 1942 the YIVO Institute organized a public autobiography contest on the theme "Why I Left Europe and What I Have Accomplished in America." There were 250 entries and 25 prizes were awarded. Since 1942 about 100 autobiographies on the same topic have been added to the collection.
Extent
26.25 Linear Feet
Language of Materials
English
Arrangement
Boxes 1-49 are arranged; boxes 50-53 are unarranged addenda.
Alternate Form Available
Microfilm MK 508
Legacy Finding Aid
A digitized version of the legacy finding aid is available at http://digipres.cjh.org/delivery/DeliveryManagerServlet?dps_pid=IE2076717.
Genre / Form
Geographic
Topical
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
Repository Details
Part of the YIVO Institute for Jewish Research Repository
