Friends and family in prewar Germany

Identifier
irn713675
Language of Description
English
Alt. Identifiers
  • 2018.633
  • RG-60.7032
Level of Description
Item
Languages
  • Silent
Source
EHRI Partner

Creator(s)

Biographical History

Hans Wolfgang Lindemann (a German) married Ethel McGloclin (an American) in Philadelphia in 1929. He had come to the US looking for work, but had a strong German family heritage and served in the German army in WWI as a radio operator. After his father died, the couple moved to Germany (Braunschweig), toured Europe, and started a family (Oda b. 1934 and Karin b. 1936). Wolfgang joined the German reserve as he found that the least difficult way to protect himself and his family. He worked in a truck factory which was vital to the German war effort. Later, he became a Wehrmacht captain as an automotive engineer. He was discharged in November 1944 and later became a prisoner of war of the Americans in France. Wolfgang's two brothers also served in the German military in WWII. Ethel raised their two girls in a small farming town in Germany. She exchanged letters with Wolfgang as well as with her brother who was serving in the US Army. She kept a diary in English during the war period. In 1946, Ethel and the girls returned to the United States (Oda was 12 and lives in Philadelphia; Karin died in 1976 at age 40).

Scope and Content

Friends walk past the camera outdoors. Children pose for the camera and play. Baby cries. The girl smiles and waves. Ethel Lindemann (?) holds the toddler and waves. More shots of the group walking in a park, well-dressed, laughing, man with hat and cane carries a camera. 01:01:21 Pan, family home with parked car, the family exits their home, smiling and waving and smoking. CUs, girl plays, some snow on the ground. Adults and toddler take a walk.

Note(s)

  • The film can label indicates: "Familienbilder Norbert-Ernst-Gretl Ruter-etc Weihnachten 1930". It is possible the individuals captured on film are Norbert, Ernst, and Gretl Ruter during the Christmas holiday in 1930.

Subjects

Places

Genre

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.