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Zehngut and Weiss families papers

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The Zehngut and Weiss families papers consist of biographical materials, correspondence, photographs, and research material relating to the Zehngut and Weiss families from Austria. The papers document the immigration of Inge and Kitty Weiss among the “50 children” brought to the United States from Vienna by Brith Sholom and Gilbert and Eleanor Kraus, as well as the immigration of their parents Stella Zehngut Weiss and Leon Weiss. Biographical materials include school records, a birth certificate and naturalization certificate, resumes, and a memorial program and obituary documenting Inge Weiss as well as an autograph book Inge used to collect signatures and poems from family members and friends before leaving Vienna. This series also includes Leon and Stella Weiss’ German passports “for foreigners” and American naturalization certificates and a family tree documenting the ancestors of Inge’s granddaughter Anya Coverman. Correspondence includes a letter alerting Stella Weiss that Inge and Kitty were well settled in America, a letter signed by Gilbert Kraus that enclosed vaccination certificates, and a congratulatory letter on the birth of Inge’s daughter, Tina. Later correspondence includes a 70th birthday reception invitation in honor of Louis Levine, a 1991 letter from Kitty to Inge commenting on their family’s fate, and a photocopy of a letter from Kitty to the Austrian Consulate asking to begin a restitution claims against Austria. Photographs primarily consist of prewar images of the Weiss family and their relatives and friends in Austria. They depict Leon, Stella, Inge, and Kitty Weiss; Ernestina, Julius, Olga, and Annie Zehngut; Herta, Ronnie, and Sheila Rennie; Joseph and Keith Uhrmacher; and Arthur, Emil, Grete, and Paulette Kronberg. The Kronberg family was related to Ernestina Zehngut’s sister, Carolina Kronberg. Several of the Zehngut photographs were taken at the Zehngut photography studio. The photograph album primarily depicts the Weiss family and their relatives and friends in and around Vienna before World War II. The album also includes photographs of Inge and Kitty and the other “50 children” with Gilbert and Eleanor Kraus aboard the ship that brought them to America in 1939. Research files include correspondence, notes, and printed materials documenting Inge’s search for information about the arrival of the “50 children.” Correspondence includes Inge’s letters to newspapers and the National Archives searching for copies of photographs and ship manifests documenting the arrival of the “50 children.” Notes include a name list of the “50 children.” Printed materials include original and photocopied clippings describing the arrival of the “50 children,” B’rith Sholom’s work, and Steven Pressman’s book about the “50 children.”