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Kennkarte
[nb-NO]Object number[nb-NO]M1996/016:001
[nb-NO]Title[nb-NO]Kennkarte
[nb-NO]Creator[nb-NO]Nazi Germany
[nb-NO]Description[nb-NO]Kennkarte - civil identity document issued in Germany in February 1939. As of July 1938, every German citizen over the age of 15 was required to carry a Kennkarte at all times; another measure in a broader plan to bring an end to Jewish assimilation in German society.
Deutsches Reich Kennkartes were constructed from durable linen material to ensure their longevity within a climate of heightened and incessant persecution. 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.
As the war progressed, citizens of German occupied territories were also issued with similar documents. Both material and design varied between countries. In Poland, the underground resistance 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.
This particular example belonged to Helene Sara Vogel (nee Wagner). Helene and her husband Moritz Vogel (parents of donor) left Berlin on 14 November 1939 for Palestine. Moritz died in Palestine shortly after, on 6 October 1940. Helene became sick and died in 1941. They are buried in Tel Aviv.
Deutsches Reich Kennkartes were constructed from durable linen material to ensure their longevity within a climate of heightened and incessant persecution. 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.
As the war progressed, citizens of German occupied territories were also issued with similar documents. Both material and design varied between countries. In Poland, the underground resistance 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.
This particular example belonged to Helene Sara Vogel (nee Wagner). Helene and her husband Moritz Vogel (parents of donor) left Berlin on 14 November 1939 for Palestine. Moritz died in Palestine shortly after, on 6 October 1940. Helene became sick and died in 1941. They are buried in Tel Aviv.
[nb-NO]Production place[nb-NO]Germany
[nb-NO]Date[nb-NO] 1939
[nb-NO]Production period[nb-NO]pre-World War II
[nb-NO]Subject[nb-NO]Kennkarte, identity cards
[nb-NO]Object name[nb-NO]identity cards
[nb-NO]Material[nb-NO]linen
[nb-NO]Dimensions[nb-NO]
- width: 220.00 mm
height: 150.00 mm
[nb-NO]Credit line[nb-NO]Sydney Jewish Museum Collection, Donated by Ms. Vera Adler