How do Arolsen Archives help families reconnect after the Holocaust?

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Arolsen Archives Facilitate Reunions for Families Separately Affected by the Holocaust

The Arolsen Archives play a crucial role in reuniting families by providing access to extensive documentation and personal items related to victims and survivors of the Nazi regime. These archives have successfully connected individuals, such as half-sisters Sula Miller and Helen Schaller, who discovered their shared father, a Holocaust survivor, through the institution's research. The archives house millions of documents and objects, including millions of original records and thousands of personal belongings confiscated from Nazi camps, which aid in tracing lost family members and understanding their fates.
Tracing Family Members Through Extensive Records

Established in 1946 as the International Tracing Service, the Arolsen Archives were initially created to help individuals locate relatives who disappeared during World War II. The archives contain a vast collection of documents, such as Gestapo arrest warrants, transport lists to concentration camps, and camp registers. These records often include detailed personal information, including physical characteristics like height, eye and hair color, marital status, and religion, which are vital for identification and tracing purposes. The archives also hold files compiled by the Allies and correspondence between the Red Cross and Nazi administration, offering further avenues for research.
Reconnecting Individuals and Recovering Belongings

Beyond documentary evidence, the Arolsen Archives also safeguard thousands of personal items, like watches, rings, and wallets, collected from individuals at Nazi camps. These tangible connections to lost relatives can be deeply meaningful for descendants seeking to understand their family history. Volunteers associated with the archives actively assist in reviewing these records and have facilitated the return of personal belongings, such as earrings, watches, or wedding rings, to families, providing a poignant link to their ancestors' past.
Ongoing Support for Enquiries

Even decades after the war, the Arolsen Archives continue to receive approximately 20,000 enquiries annually. These requests often come from the children or grandchildren of victims and survivors who are seeking information about their family members' experiences during the Holocaust. The archives cater to a broad spectrum of persecuted groups, including Jews, Roma, homosexuals, political dissidents, and children abducted by the Nazis, reflecting the widespread impact of the Nazi regime's atrocities.

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How do Arolsen Archives help families reconnect after the Holocaust?

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