Objekt des Monats
Jedes Objekt in der Sammlung des Deutschen Auswandererhauses erzählt eine ganz persönliche Auswanderungs- oder Einwanderungsgeschichte. In dieser Rubrik stellen wir Ihnen jeden Monat ein anderes Objekt vor – eine Fotografie, ein Dokument oder ein persönliches Erinnerungsstück.
November 2020
Letters, 1946 – 1957
On the occasion of World Kindness Day on November 13
Since 1998, we have celebrated World Kindness Day on November 13. This special day was established by the World Kindness Movement, an alliance of 22 like-minded organizations, with the aim of promoting kindness around the world. Particularly, it focuses on the power of community and mutual support.
Historical Context
The Second World War and the Nazi regime leave devastation. People across Europe suffer the consequences. Germany is hit especially hard. Not only are food supplies extremely scarce, but also clothing and medicine. Additionally, Europe is struck by a very harsh winter in 1946/47 – despair and misery spread. In light of this situation, organizations and individuals worldwide begin to send what are known as care packages. These packages provide millions of people in Germany and Europe not only with urgently needed calories but also with ‘little miracles,’ such as chocolate, cocoa, and/or peanut butter. These packages primarily serve as a symbol of hope for countless people.
Short Biography of Willy Carl
Willy Carl is born on April 10, 1904, in Sonneberg in Thuringia. He dreams of studying music; however, his parents have a different career path in mind for their son. Willy’s father is a well-known porcelain expert and desires a corresponding commercial education for his children.
As Willy is not doing well economically in Germany, he decides to emigrate to the USA. In 1927, he leaves Germany on the ‘Cleveland’ and seeks a new opportunity in New York City. During the time of Nazi rule, Willy loses contact with his parents who stayed behind. He is only able to reconnect with them in 1946. Willy is determined to help his family through the difficult times and regularly sends packages to support them.
He announces his packages to his family in letters, as in his writing from August 30, 1947.
He provides his family with food, clothing, medications for his father, and items that are not available or are difficult to obtain in Germany, such as a coffee grinder. A few times, his packages are intercepted and do not reach his family. Willy will never see his family again – he passes away in 1957. Until the end of his life, he helps his family. After his death, his friend Helen takes over the support of the relatives.
Significance of the object
Willy Carl’s story is just one example of how important solidarity can be and what sometimes decisive role the connection to the place of origin and those who stayed behind can play in migration contexts.
Do you also…
…have a migration story of your family to tell and would like to pass it along with the associated objects and documents to the German Emigration Center for its collection? Then please contact Dr. Tanja Fittkau at the phone number 0471 / 90 22 0 – 0 or by email at: t.fittkau@dah-bremerhaven.de
Archive: Previous Objects of the Month
Show all objectsDo You Also Have …
… a story of emigration or immigration in your family that you would like to share with the German Emigration Center together with the related objects and documents for its collection? Then please contact Dr. Tanja Fittkau by phone at +49 471 / 90 22 0 – 0
or by e-mail at: t.fittkau@dah-bremerhaven.de