Kennkarte
Object numberM2018/067:005
TitleKennkarte
DescriptionA Deutsches Reich Kennkarte for Charlotte Sarah Weitze produced on the 16 January 1940. They were constructed from durable linen material to ensure their longevity. The expense of the material and complex manufacturing process of these documents posed difficulties in the production of forgeries. Jewish citizenry were forced to adopt middle names of either ‘Sara’ or ‘Israel’ and a Hebraic ‘J’ was printed internally and externally, allowing for instant identification. Charlotte however, already possesed the middle name Sarah. After July 1938 it was a requirement of all German citzens over the age of fifteen to be on their person at all times.
Charlotte Sarah Weitze (nee Loewe) was born in Berlin on 18 February 1902 and had three siblings who all left Germany long before the war. Her father passed away during the 1920’s and her mother moved to Melbourne in 1939 to be with her son. Charlotte married Paul Weitze, who was born in Dusseldorf in July 1904 and was non-Jewish. Their only child Brigitte (Gitta) was born in Frankfurt in 1934. Paul was an accountant but he was conscripted into the German army during World War II and later imprisoned in a French prisoner of war camp.
Brigitte recalls the Nuremberg Laws coming into effect during her early childhood, especially that they barred her mother from doing the grocery shopping. Brigitte was only allowed to go to school until October 1942. After the war, the JOINT organisation helped her continue her education, which she later finished in Melbourne. Whilst her mother was incarcerated in Theresienstadt/Terezin, Brigitte went to stay with her paternal aunt in the countryside outside of Frankfurt.
Charlotte was imprisoned at Thereseinstadt from 18 February to 4 June 1945. After the war she walked home to Frankfurt and was given gifts by the Russian and United States forces. She picked Brigitte up but left her with a friend from Theresienstadt to find her husband.
The family travelled together to Australia in October 1950 on the SS Surriento, despite wanting to move to Israel. According to the donor, Charlotte was barred from Israel because she had a non-Jewish husband. Charlotte worked for Berlei in Australia, and she passed away in 1987.
This kennkarte is part of a collection of identity cards, certificates and currency donated by Brigitte Meggs (nee Weitze) in April 2018, in memory of her mother.
Charlotte Sarah Weitze (nee Loewe) was born in Berlin on 18 February 1902 and had three siblings who all left Germany long before the war. Her father passed away during the 1920’s and her mother moved to Melbourne in 1939 to be with her son. Charlotte married Paul Weitze, who was born in Dusseldorf in July 1904 and was non-Jewish. Their only child Brigitte (Gitta) was born in Frankfurt in 1934. Paul was an accountant but he was conscripted into the German army during World War II and later imprisoned in a French prisoner of war camp.
Brigitte recalls the Nuremberg Laws coming into effect during her early childhood, especially that they barred her mother from doing the grocery shopping. Brigitte was only allowed to go to school until October 1942. After the war, the JOINT organisation helped her continue her education, which she later finished in Melbourne. Whilst her mother was incarcerated in Theresienstadt/Terezin, Brigitte went to stay with her paternal aunt in the countryside outside of Frankfurt.
Charlotte was imprisoned at Thereseinstadt from 18 February to 4 June 1945. After the war she walked home to Frankfurt and was given gifts by the Russian and United States forces. She picked Brigitte up but left her with a friend from Theresienstadt to find her husband.
The family travelled together to Australia in October 1950 on the SS Surriento, despite wanting to move to Israel. According to the donor, Charlotte was barred from Israel because she had a non-Jewish husband. Charlotte worked for Berlei in Australia, and she passed away in 1987.
This kennkarte is part of a collection of identity cards, certificates and currency donated by Brigitte Meggs (nee Weitze) in April 2018, in memory of her mother.
Production placeFrankfurt, Germany
Production date 1940-01-16 - 1945-01-15
Subjectcamp experiences, families, marriage
Object nameidentity cards
Materiallinen
Dimensions
- width: 210.00 mm
height: 150.00 mm
Language
- German
Credit lineSydney Jewish Museum Collection, Donated by Brigitte Meggs