Mayer and Mané family papers
Extent and Medium
folders
6
Creator(s)
- Mayer family
- Mane family
Biographical History
Eugene (Eugen) Mané (1901-1968) was born in Geinsheim, Germany on February 28, 1901 to Isador (Isadore, 1870-1941) and Emilie (née Lehmann, 1875-1941) Mané and had three sisters: Melli (b. 1899), Selma (later Strassburg, 1904-1991), and Bella (1909-2009). Eugene worked as a clerk, but was dismissed from his job in 1934 because of anti-Jewish laws. Selma and her family immigrated to the United States from Hamburg in March 1939 aboard the SS City of Baltimore and Bella immigrated from Hamburg to the United States in March 1938 aboard the SS Washington. Isador, Emilie, and Melli were deported to Gurs concentration camp. In 1931 Eugene married Selma Mayer (1908-1971) and had one daughter, Lore (Lora, later Rasch, 1932-2020). Eugene immigrated to the United States in May 1937 abroad the SS Statendam and Selma and Lore immigrated three months later. Lore married Stanley Rasch (1930-1996) and had four sons.
Selma Mayer (1908-1971) was born on March 26, 1908 in Germany to Moritz (1876-1914) and Laura (1879-1940) Mayer and had one brother, Heine (Heinrich, 1910-1943). Heine was a Zionist and wanted to immigrate to Palestine, but left for Belgium in 1939 for a Zionist work camp. In 1940, after the invasion of Belgium, Heine was deported to St. Cyprien concentration camp in France and then to Camp des Milles and died during the Holocaust. Laura, Selma’s mother, had five siblings: Berta, Emil (1874-1949), Albert, Joe, and Marta (Martha, later Haas). Emil immigrated to the United States around 1888, became a lawyer, and was able to assist many family members in immigrating, including Marta and her daughter Ilse. Laura and Marta were deported to Gurs concentration camp and killed. In 1931 Selma married Eugene (Eugen) Mané (1901-1968) and had one daughter, Lore (Lora, later Rasch, 1932-2020). Eugene immigrated to the United States in May 1937 abroad the SS Statendam and Selma and Lore immigrated three months later. Lore married Stanley Rasch (1930-1996) and had four sons.
Archival History
United States Holocaust Memorial Museum
Acquisition
United States Holocaust Memorial Museum Collection, Gift of Lore Rasch
The Mayer and Mané family papers were donated to the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum by Lore Mané Rasch in 2004.
Scope and Content
The collection consists of original and photocopies of biographical material, correspondence, and photographs related to Eugene and Selma Mané’s prewar life in Germany and their immigration to the United States in 1937, as well as their family’s wartime experiences in Germany and France. Biographical material includes an affidavit, immigrant identification card, and report cards for Eugene, as well as newspaper clippings and research of family history and the fates of family members. Family correspondence includes letters between family members in the United States and Europe, including letters from family members in the Gurs and St. Cyprien concentration camps. The collection also includes translations of the letters.
System of Arrangement
The arrangement of the collection is based on the original order presented by the donor in an album.
Conditions Governing Reproduction
Copyright Holder: United States Holocaust Memorial Museum
Corporate Bodies
- Saint-Cyprien (Concentration camp)
- Gurs (Concentration camp)
Subjects
- Family histories.
- United States--Emigration and immigration.
- France.
- Concentration camp inmates--France--Gurs--Correspondence.
- Jewish families--Germany.
- Germany.
Genre
- Photographs.
- Correspondence.
- Document