Heinz Samuel: family papers
Extent and Medium
2 boxes
Biographical History
Heinz Samuel was born to Julius and Gertrude Samuel (née Gellhorn) on 2 December 1904 in Argenau, now Gniewkowo, Poland. He had twin siblings, Kurt and Ruth, born 1905. Kurt died in the Holocaust along with his parents. Ruth survived, eventually dying in Hamburg in 1982 after several decades living in South America.
Heinz’s parents ran a watchmaker’s, jewellery and bicycle business in Argenau.
Heinz studied at the Gymnasium at Güstrow where he stayed with his uncle James and aunt Carolina. Shortly after Argenau became Polish (Gniewkowo) in 1919/20 in accordance with the stipulations of the Treaty of Versailles, the family moved to Delmenhorst near Bremen, where they bought a new watch and jewellery shop and started a new life.
In March 1932 Heinz received his doctorate in law at the University of Rostock. Shortly thereafter Heinz was suspended from work in the judiciary on racial grounds and soon afterwards left Germany for London. He initially earned a living as a wedding photographer then studied to become a chiropodist at Chelsea Polytechnic. Heinz was interned during the early part of the war. When he was freed he moved back to Bromley and married Edna Grimes, who also worked as a chiropodist. She was English born and not Jewish. They remained in the same house in Bromley all their lives together.
Heinz’s parents ran a watchmaker’s, jewellery and bicycle business in Argenau.
Heinz studied at the Gymnasium at Güstrow where he stayed with his uncle James and aunt Carolina. Shortly after Argenau became Polish (Gniewkowo) in 1919/20 in accordance with the stipulations of the Treaty of Versailles, the family moved to Delmenhorst near Bremen, where they bought a new watch and jewellery shop and started a new life.
In March 1932 Heinz received his doctorate in law at the University of Rostock. Shortly thereafter Heinz was suspended from work in the judiciary on racial grounds and soon afterwards left Germany for London. He initially earned a living as a wedding photographer then studied to become a chiropodist at Chelsea Polytechnic. Heinz was interned during the early part of the war. When he was freed he moved back to Bromley and married Edna Grimes, who also worked as a chiropodist. She was English born and not Jewish. They remained in the same house in Bromley all their lives together.
Acquisition
Donated 21.5.2015
Donor: Samuel, Richard
Scope and Content
This collection contains the personal papers of Heinz Samuel, his wife Edna and various other family members. Material includes personal documentation such as birth marriage and death certificates, school certificates and personal correspondence. Also included is a set of family photographs.
Conditions Governing Access
Open
This description is derived directly from structured data provided to EHRI by a partner institution. This collection holding institution considers this description as an accurate reflection of the archival holdings to which it refers at the moment of data transfer.