Kennkarte
Object numberM1992/027:002
TitleKennkarte
DescriptionThis is a Kennkarte - a civil identity document issued to Maria Markiewicz (nee Wasilewska), born 26 January 1912 in Russia, issued Bialystok, Poland 19 December 1942.
As of July 1938, every German citizen over the age of 15 was required to carry a Kennkarte at all times. As the war progressed, citizens of German occupied territories were also issued with similar documents. As demonstrated in this example, the Kennkarte issued for Polish Jews was yellow. Unlike those supplied in Germany (Deutsches Reich Kennkartes), the Polish variety was often distributed in paper rather than linen, thus enabling the production of forgeries.
The Polish underground discovered an administrative loophole in the provision of replacement documents for those lost or destroyed and were able to provide hundreds of Polish Jews with false identities. In the face of increasing persecution, ingenuity became a necessity of survival.
As of July 1938, every German citizen over the age of 15 was required to carry a Kennkarte at all times. As the war progressed, citizens of German occupied territories were also issued with similar documents. As demonstrated in this example, the Kennkarte issued for Polish Jews was yellow. Unlike those supplied in Germany (Deutsches Reich Kennkartes), the Polish variety was often distributed in paper rather than linen, thus enabling the production of forgeries.
The Polish underground discovered an administrative loophole in the provision of replacement documents for those lost or destroyed and were able to provide hundreds of Polish Jews with false identities. In the face of increasing persecution, ingenuity became a necessity of survival.
Production placeBialystok, Poland
Production date 1942-12-19 - 1942-12-19
Subjectracial discrimination, antisemitism, Holocaust
Object nameidentity cards
Materialpaper
Credit lineSydney Jewish Museum Collection, Donated by Mrs Maria and Mr Stanislaw Markiewicz