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Bernard Makover diary

Document | Digitized | Accession Number: 2019.399.1

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Overview

Description: The collection includes a typewritten diary by Bernard Makover documenting his trip to Europe in 1934. During his trip he dictated his entries to his secretary, Julius Grossbart. In the diary Bernard describes his time aboard the SS Conte di Savoia to Italy, the train ride from Italy to Poland, the political situation in Poland, his time spent with his extended family, and his trip back to New York aboard the SS Rex. While in Poland he tried to help bring family members back to the United States with him, but was unsuccessful.
Date: inclusive: 1934 June 07-1934 July 19
Credit Line: United States Holocaust Memorial Museum Collection, gift of Chana Waldman
Collection Creator: Bernard Makover
Biography: Bernard Makover (1869-1946) was born in Plock, Poland to Aaron Makover and Rachael Lowenberg (d. 1930) and had seven siblings including Mina (b. 1872 in Warsaw), Joachim, Thomas (b. 1890?), Francine (later Grossbarg), and Regina. Bernard immigrated to the United States in 1890 and became a naturalized citizen in 1892. He married Rose Sworzga (1878-1936, born in Poland to Morris and Annie) in 1895 and they had four children, Abraham (b. 1896), Isadore (b. 1897), Gertrude, and Henry. Bernard and his family lived in Baltimore where he worked for a clothing company. While visiting his family in Poland in 1934 he attempted to help them leave with him, but he was unsuccessful. His brother, Thomas, immigrated to the United States in 1910 and two other sisters immigrated soon after. Francine was sent on a Kidertransport. The rest of his family perished during the war.

Physical Details

Language: English
Genre/Form: Diaries.
Extent: 1 folder
System of Arrangement: The Bernard Makover diary is arranged as a single series.

Rights & Restrictions

Conditions on Access: There are no known restrictions on access to this material.
Conditions on Use: Material(s) in this collection may be protected by copyright and/or related rights. You do not require further permission from the Museum to use this material. The user is solely responsible for making a determination as to if and how the material may be used.

Keywords & Subjects

Topical Term: Travel--Personal narratives.
Geographic Name: Warsaw (Poland) United States--Emigration and immigration--History.
Personal Name: Makover, Bernard.
Corporate Name: Conte di Savoia (Ship)

Administrative Notes

Holder of Originals: United States Holocaust Memorial Museum
Legal Status: Permanent Collection
Provenance: The Bernard Makover diary was donated to the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum in 2019 by Renie Weinstein.

Record last modified:: 2024-04-01 11:42:48
This page:: https://collections.ushmm.org/search/catalog/irn708061

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