Tauber Holocaust Library

Table of Contents

Summary Information

Biographical/Historical note

Scope and Contents note

Administrative Information

Related Materials

Controlled Access Headings

Collection Inventory

Ludwig Kaumheimer family papers,

Julius Kaumheimer family papers,

Summary Information

Repository

Tauber Holocaust Library

Creator

Kaumheimer family

Title

Kaumheimer family papers

ID

1988.1133

Date [inclusive]

1935-1940

Extent

0.1 Linear feet comprising two folders

Language

German

Language of Materials note

Materials are in German. English translations are available for most documents.

Mixed materials [Folder]

Archives Box 4

Abstract

The collection comprises papers from the families of two German Jewish brothers, Julius and Ludwig Kaumheimer, during the period 1935-1940. Papers include certificates of citizenship, certificates documenting their service in the Germany Army and their awards of the Iron Cross, passports and correspondence. Correspondence relates to the imprisonment of Dr. Ludwig Kaumheimer in Dachau concentration camp after Kristallnacht in November 1938. Also included is a 1939 security directive regarding currency laws restricting access of Dr. Ludwig Kaumheimer and his wife Hilde Kaumheimer to the money in their bank accounts.

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Biographical/Historical note

Dr. Ludwig Kaumheimer was a pediatrician who lived in Munich, Germany. He was born on May 1, 1881 in Munich, Germany. Dr. Kaumheimer was the deputy chairman of a children’s insitute in Munich operated by the Central Verein (Central Organization); he was active in the founding of the institute and provided volunteer services for over 30 years. His wife, Hilde Rosenberg Kaumheimer, born November 2, 1901 in Berlin, managed the institute from 1928 until 1932. She and Dr. Kaumheimer were married in 1933.

Dr. Kaumheimer was arrested in Munich after the Kristallnacht pogroms of November 1938, and was imprisoned in Dachau concentration camp. He and his wife Hilde emigrated from Germany in 1939.

Julius Kaumheimer, a businessman, was an older brother of Dr. Ludwig Kaumheimer. He was born on February 9, 1880 in Munich. His wife, Selma Landauer Kaumheimer was born June 5, 1890 in Ulm, Germany. The Kaumheimers lived in Stuttgart, Germany and emigrated with their four children — Hans, Fritz and twin daughters Margerita and Ruth to Merano, Italy in 1939 and from there to San Francisco, California.

The Kaumheimer family had a valuable collection of porcelain figurines, which were confiscated by Italian authorities when they entered that country in 1939 and assigned to the National Museum in the Castle of Buonconsiglio in Trento. Many years later, the Jewish community of Merano sought restitution for the owners of the porcelain collection and in 2002 the Kaumheimer collection was allocated to the community. Attempts by the Jewish community of Merano to locate the Kaumheimer family were not successful until they contacted HIAS (Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society). HIAS placed an ad in the Aufbau, a German Jewish newspaper, which was answered by Julius’s son John (formerly Hans.) Surviving members of the Kaumheimer family visited the museum in Merano, Italy where the porcelains were kept, and were once again reunited with this collection.

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Scope and Contents note

The collection comprises documents and correspondence relating to the experiences of two German Jewish brothers, Dr. Ludwig Kaumheimer and Julius Kaumheimer, during the period in which the Nazi party rose to power. Included are 1935 certificates documenting the military service of the brothers in the Germany Army during World War I and their receipt of the Iron Cross. The collection includes certificates of citizenship for Dr. Kaumheimer and for Julius Kaumheimer, his wife and one son. These certificates were issued in advance of emigration, as well as a passport for Fritz Kaumheimer, son of Julius.

Of particular interest may be a Security directive dated April 1939 which references a currency law and which restricts the access of the Dr. Ludwig Kaumheimer and his wife Hilde Kaumheimer to the assets in their bank accounts.

Correspondence in the collection comprises a postcard sent by Dr. Ludwig Kaumheimer to his wife Hilde during his imprisonment in Dachau concentration camp, after Kristallnacht, in November 1938. Also included is a heartfelt letter sent by Mrs. Kaumheimer to the Gestapo in Munich on November 11, 1938, pleading for her husband’s release and in particular noting his military service and his loyalty to Germany.

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Administrative Information

Publication Information

Tauber Holocaust Library

Conditions Governing Access note

There are no restrictions to access for this collection.

Conditions Governing Use note

There are no restrictions to use for this collection.

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Related Materials

Related Archival Materials note

See also Margaret Kaplan oral history testimony – OHP.2725. Margaret Kaplan is the daughter of Julius Kaumheimer and the niece of Ludwig Kaumheimer.

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Controlled Access Headings

Corporate Name(s)

• Dachau (Concentration camp).
• Germany. Geheime Staatspolizei.

Genre(s)

• Certificates — Germany — Munich
• Correspondence — Germany — Munich
• Family papers — Germany — Munich
• Family papers — Germany — Stuttgart
• Passports — Germany
• Postcards — Germany — Dachau

Geographic Name(s)

• Munich (Germany)

Personal Name(s)

• Kaumheimer, Hilde — Correspondence

Subject(s)

• Holocaust, Jewish (1939-1945) — Germany — Munich
• Jews, German — Germany — Munich
• World War, 1939-1945 — Germany — Munich

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Collection Inventory