A Polite Request for a Bicycle

Today's post is written by Megan Dwyre, Archivist at the National Archives at College Park “Hans Smit Duyzenkunst lent his bicycle for the evaders transport, but never got it back. He request you politely for an other bicycle.” Hans Smit Duyzenkunst Claim While working on a reference request, I came across this claim from the file … Continue reading A Polite Request for a Bicycle

The Chaplain at Nuremberg

Today's post is written by Daria Labinsky, Archivist at the National Archives at St. Louis Capt. Henry F. Gerecke thought he was going home. It was November 1945, and the Second World War had been over for several months. Instead, the Lutheran minister accepted a new assignment: to serve as the chief chaplain to the Nazi … Continue reading The Chaplain at Nuremberg

National Archives Hosts International Research Portal for Records Related to Nazi-Era Cultural Property

Today’s post is written by Chris Naylor, Director of Textual Records for Research Services, Washington DC. The Nazis and their collaborators engaged in widespread and systematic confiscation of art and cultural property between 1933 and 1945 through various means including theft, coercion, and forced sales. These activities resulted in the displacement of millions of items … Continue reading National Archives Hosts International Research Portal for Records Related to Nazi-Era Cultural Property

Archivist Monuments Man: Lester K. Born

Today’s post, written by  Dr. Greg Bradsher, is the next installment in an ongoing series of posts on real-life Monuments Men. The movie, The Monuments Men, has focused great attention on the Monuments Men (and women) and their work during and after World War II.  Of course the movie cannot tell the story of the over … Continue reading Archivist Monuments Man: Lester K. Born

“Doughboy” and “G.I.” Explained

Today’s post was written by Dr. Greg Bradsher, Senior Archivist at the National Archives in College Park. The term “Doughboy” has been part and parcel of the American scene for almost a century.  The term “G.I.” dates back some seventy-five years.  Buster Keaton, in 1930, starred in the movie Doughboys, about soldiers during World War I.  … Continue reading “Doughboy” and “G.I.” Explained

Hitler’s Political Testament, Personal Will, and Marriage Certificate: From the Bunker in Berlin to National Archives in Washington, D.C. {Part IV: The Documents Travel Through Various Agencies and President Truman Before Arriving at the National Archives}

Today’s post is written by Dr. Greg Bradsher and is the last post in a four-part series.  The National Archives and Records Administration will display Adolf Hitler’s Political Testament, Personal Will, and Marriage Certificate (National Archives Identifier 6883511) in the exhibit “Making Their Mark” beginning March 21, 2014. This series of blogs traces the aforementioned … Continue reading Hitler’s Political Testament, Personal Will, and Marriage Certificate: From the Bunker in Berlin to National Archives in Washington, D.C. {Part IV: The Documents Travel Through Various Agencies and President Truman Before Arriving at the National Archives}

Additional Documents relating to Hildebrand Gurlitt found in the Records of the Office of Military Government for Bavaria

Today's post was written by Dr. Greg Bradsher, Senior Archivist at the National Archives in College Park. Recently, I found additional documentation regarding Hildebrand Gurlitt and his art treasures that may be of interest to those following the current inquiry in Germany into his art works.  The documents were found in: File 007, Monuments and Fine … Continue reading Additional Documents relating to Hildebrand Gurlitt found in the Records of the Office of Military Government for Bavaria

Hitler’s Political Testament, Personal Will, and Marriage Certificate: From the Bunker in Berlin to National Archives in Washington, D.C. {Part III: The Documents Journey from Germany to Washington}

Today’s post is written by Dr. Greg Bradsher and is the third post in a four-part series. The National Archives and Records Administration plans to display Adolf Hitler’s Political Testament, Personal Will, and Marriage Certificate (National Archives Identifier 6883511) in the exhibit “Making Their Mark” beginning March 21, 2014. This series of blogs traces the … Continue reading Hitler’s Political Testament, Personal Will, and Marriage Certificate: From the Bunker in Berlin to National Archives in Washington, D.C. {Part III: The Documents Journey from Germany to Washington}

Hitler’s Political Testament, Personal Will, and Marriage Certificate: From the Bunker in Berlin to National Archives in Washington, D.C. {Part II: The Couriers Take the Documents}

Today's post is written by Dr. Greg Bradsher and is the second post in a four-part series. The National Archives and Records Administration plans to display Adolf Hitler’s Political Testament, Personal Will, and Marriage Certificate (National Archives Identifier 6883511) in the exhibit "Making Their Mark" beginning March 21, 2014.  This series of blogs traces the aforementioned documents … Continue reading Hitler’s Political Testament, Personal Will, and Marriage Certificate: From the Bunker in Berlin to National Archives in Washington, D.C. {Part II: The Couriers Take the Documents}

Efforts by Ernst Posner and the National Archives to Protect European Archives during World War II

Today's post is written by Dr. Greg Bradsher. The National Archives began to think, after the invasion of North Africa in World War II, of the practical importance of records in connection with the government of conquered territory.  Archivist of the United States Solon J. Buck and senior National Archives official Oliver W. Holmes took … Continue reading Efforts by Ernst Posner and the National Archives to Protect European Archives during World War II