Ken Ambrose collection

Identifier
WL2214
Language of Description
English
Alt. Identifiers
  • 72516
Level of Description
Collection
Languages
  • German
  • English
  • Polish
Source
EHRI Partner

Creator(s)

  • Ambrose, Kenneth

Biographical History

Ken Ambrose (1919-2008), previously known as Kurt Abrahamsohn, was born in Szczecin, Poland, formerly Stettin, Pomerania in 1919 to the Jewish parents, Arthur and Alice Abrahamsohn (née Cronbach). Both families stemmed from Gdansk, Poland, formerly Danzig, Germany. Two of the Cronbach sons had settled in England in the 19th century. Arthur fought, was decorated and injured during WWI. After the Nazis came to power it was arranged for Ken to go to school in Taunton, Somerset. Ken arranges for the emigration of his sister and parents from Germany in 1939. Arthur and Ken are interned by the British authorities and Ken is sent to Australia on the ship, the Dunera. There is news of friends and family who did not manage to escape the Holocaust. Ken Ambrose joins the RAF.

Acquisition

Personal papers and photos + draft chapters of autobiog.- 5 boxes

Donor: Ken Ambrose

Scope and Content

This collection documents the life of Ken Ambrose and his family from the 19th century until the modern era. Papers include original documents and certificates pertaining to several members of his family; correspondence both official and family-related, some describing fate of friends and family during the Holocaust and also attempts to emigrate by others. Also included are a number of photographs and objects.

System of Arrangement

This collection has been arranged into series reflecting the chapters in Ken Ambrose'e family history: The Suitcase in the Garage: Letters and Photographs of a German Jewish Family, 1800-1950. 

In addition the material received as a later accrual from a house clearance after Ken Ambrose's death has been catalogued as a separate series

Conditions Governing Access

Open

Note(s)

  • The collection arrived with a set of objects (mostly WWI related items of Arthur Abrahamsohn) which have been registered and stored seperately.

People

  • Ambrose, Kenneth

Places

  • Third Reich [1933-1945]
  • Great Britain
  • England
  • Szczecin
  • Gdansk
  • London
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.