Elsie A. Ragusin Azzinaro collection

Identifier: irn552651
Language of Description: English
Level of Description: Collection
Source: EHRI Partner

Web Source

https://collections.ushmm.org/search/catalog/irn552651

Acquisition

The collection was acquired by the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum in 2016, with an accretion in 2017.

Scope and Content

The collection consists of a patch, a pouch, three drawings, a prayer book, clippings, correspondence, notes, and photocopies relating to the experiences of Elsie Ragusin during World War II, when, in 1939, on a visit from the United States to Italy with her family, Elsie and her father were arrested as political spies, and Elsie was imprisoned in Auschwitz and Ravensbrück concentration camps, and after the war when, after liberation, she was taken to Sweden to recover, and returned to the United States in December 1945.

Genre

Collection

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.

Child Items

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Language of Description
1. English (7)
Country
1. United States (7)
Holding Institution
1. United States Holocaust Memorial Museum (7)

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Displaying items 1 to 7 of 7

Elsie Ragusin Azzinaro papers
- United States Holocaust Memorial Museum
- irn556083
- English
- 1944-1961
- folders 10
- Updated 1 year ago
The collection documents the Holocaust experiences of Elsie Ragusin Azzinaro and her parents Giovanni and Domenica Ragusin in Neresine, Italy (present day Nerezine, Croatia). Correspondence includes a letter written by Elsie in Italian to her mother while in a train boxcar as she was being deported to the Auschwitz concentration camp in 1944; letters from the Red Cross regarding the fate of Elsie’s father Giovanni; and postwar letters written to Elsie from Gemma La Guardia Gluck whom she was imprisoned with at Ravensbrück. Other material includes clippings about Gemma La Guardia, a eulogy ...
Monogrammed red pouch used by an American concentration camp inmate
- United States Holocaust Memorial Museum
- irn556084
- English
- 1945
- overall: Height: 4.125 inches (10.478 cm) | Width: 6.125 inches (15.558 cm)
- Updated 1 year ago
Red pouch embroidered with her initials ER used by Elsie Ragusin to carry her prayer book (2016.468.4). She acquired the book, Massime Eterne, in exchange for her food rations while she was a prisoner in Ravensbrück concentration camp. Elsie was born in New York to a couple who had immigrated years earlier to America from Italy. In 1939, the Ragusin family went to Italy on an extended visit. Elsie and her father were arrested as political spies. Elsie was imprisoned in Auschwitz and Ravensbrück. She was liberated in 1945, and taken to Sweden to recover. She returned to the US in December ...
Red triangle patch embroidered USA worn by an American concentration camp inmate
- United States Holocaust Memorial Museum
- irn556085
- English
- 1945
- overall: Height: 2.625 inches (6.668 cm) | Width: 2.625 inches (6.668 cm)
- Updated 1 year ago
Red cloth triangle patch worn by Elsie Ragusin, on which she embroidered USA, while imprisoned in Auschwitz and Ravensbrück concentration camps. Elsie was born in New York to a couple who had immigrated to America from Italy. In 1939, the Ragusin family went to Italy on an extended visit. Elsie and her father were arrested as political spies. Elsie was imprisoned in Auschwitz and Ravensbrück. She was liberated in 1945, and taken to Sweden to recover. She returned to the US in December 1945, and was reunited with her brothers.
Drawing of a tree by an American concentration camp inmate
- United States Holocaust Memorial Museum
- irn557781
- English
- overall: Height: 5.375 inches (13.653 cm) | Width: 3.250 inches (8.255 cm)
- Updated 1 year ago
Pencil drawing of a tree by Elsie Ragusin, created at an unknown date. Elsie was born in New York to a couple who had immigrated years earlier to America from Italy. In 1939, the Ragusin family went to Italy on an extended visit. Elsie and her father were arrested as political spies. Elsie was imprisoned in Auschwitz and Ravensbrück concentration camps. She was liberated in 1945, and taken to Sweden to recover. She returned to the US in December 1945, and was reunited with her brothers.
Drawing of the Virgin Mary by an American concentration camp inmate
- United States Holocaust Memorial Museum
- irn557782
- English
- overall: Height: 5.000 inches (12.7 cm) | Width: 3.125 inches (7.938 cm)
- Updated 1 year ago
Pencil drawing of the Virgin Mary created by Elsie Ragusin while she was a prisoner in Ravensbrück concentration camp in February 1945. Elsie was born in New York to a couple who had immigrated years earlier from Italy to America. In 1939, the Ragusin family went to Italy on an extended visit. Elsie and her father were arrested as political spies. Elsie was imprisoned in Auschwitz and Ravensbrück. She was liberated in 1945, and taken to Sweden to recover. She returned to the US in December 1945, and was reunited with her brothers.
Drawing of book, heart with cross, and altar by American concentration camp inmate
- United States Holocaust Memorial Museum
- irn557783
- English
- overall: Height: 3.125 inches (7.938 cm) | Width: 4.875 inches (12.383 cm)
- Updated 1 year ago
Pencil drawing of an open book with writing, a heart with a cross, and a lamb on an altar created by Elsie Ragusin, undated. Elsie was born in New York to a couple who had immigrated years earlier from Italy to America. In 1939, the Ragusin family went to Italy on an extended visit. Elsie and her father were arrested as political spies. Elsie was imprisoned in Auschwitz and Ravensbrück concentration camps. She was liberated in 1945, and taken to Sweden to recover. She returned to the US in December 1945, and was reunited with her brothers.
Book
- United States Holocaust Memorial Museum
- irn559414
- English
- 1932
- Updated 1 year ago
Catholic prayer book acquired by Elsie Ragusin in exchange for her food rations while she was a prisoner in Ravensbrück concentration camp. Elsie was born in New York to a couple who had immigrated years earlier from Italy to America. In 1939, the Ragusin family went to Italy on an extended visit. Elsie and her father were arrested as political spies. Elsie was imprisoned in Auschwitz and Ravensbrück. She was liberated in 1945, and taken to Sweden to recover. She returned to the US in December 1945, and was reunited with her brothers.

Elsie A. Ragusin Azzinaro collection

Child Items

Elsie Ragusin Azzinaro papers

Monogrammed red pouch used by an American concentration camp inmate

Red triangle patch embroidered USA worn by an American concentration camp inmate

Drawing of a tree by an American concentration camp inmate

Drawing of the Virgin Mary by an American concentration camp inmate

Drawing of book, heart with cross, and altar by American concentration camp inmate

Book