Gertrude Katzenstein, her father Leopold - a merchant in Bremen - and mother Bella (nee Rosenheim) were fortunate enough to be able to emigrate to New York in December 1938, just after Kristallnacht, on the ship “Europa.” They changed the family surname to Kaston, perhaps not wishing to draw unwanted attention to the fact that they were Jews. Seventeen-year-old Gertrude as well changed her name to Gerdy. They eventually obtained United States citizenship in 1944. Biographical data on Jews from lower Franconia in Germany indicates that Gerdy’s grandmother (Karoline Katzenstein) - Leopold’s mother - was less fortunate, having been deported from Bremen to Theresienstadt where she perished.
--Michael D. Bulmash, K1966
Browse the Bulmash Family Holocaust Collection.
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Birth Certificate for Gertrude Katzenstein, Daughter of Leopold Katzenstein and Bella Katzenstein
2012.1.39
Tan document with serial number 3243 and writing in black ink.
Information Provided by Michael D. Bulmash: Gertrude Katzenstein, a German citizen who was able to escape Nazi Germany and emigrate to America.
[Items relating to Gertrude Katzenstein: 2012.1.38ab, 2012.1.39, 2012.1.40, 2012.1.94, 2012.1.95ab, 2012.1.566]
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U.S. Certificate of Naturalization for Gerdy Kaston (formerly Gertrude Katzenstein)
2012.1.40
Document with decorative border, titled, "Certficiate of Naturalization" with serial number 6295095. Includes several signatures, as well as printed and typewritten information. Several lines of text on back.
Information Provided by Michael D. Bulmash: Gertrude Katzenstein, a German citizen who was able to escape Nazi Germany and emigrate to America.
[Items relating to Gertrude Katzenstein: 2012.1.38ab, 2012.1.39, 2012.1.40, 2012.1.94, 2012.1.95ab, 2012.1.566]
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Work-Related Contract Relating to Gertrude Katzenstein Prior to Emigrating From Germany
2012.1.38ab
Two page document titled, "Lehr=Dertrag" with printed and typewritten information.
Information Provided by Michael D. Bulmash: Contract with responsibilities for an apprentice tailor for the Robert Neben Company in Bremen, Germany signed by Gertrude Katzenstein and her father Leopold in 1937.
[Items relating to Gertrude Katzenstein: 2012.1.38ab, 2012.1.39, 2012.1.40, 2012.1.94, 2012.1.95ab, 2012.1.566]
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"Arbeitsbuch" (Employment Record) for Gertrude Katzenstein
2012.1.94
Green booklet with brown cover including Nazi eagle and swastika. Titled, "Deutsches Reich Arbeitsbuch. Interior consists of charts and writing.
Information Provided by Michael D. Bulmash:
An employment record or evaluation stating that Ms. Katzenstein is an apprentice tailor.
[ Items relating to Gertrude Katzenstein: 2012.1.38ab, 2012.1.39, 2012.1.40, 2012.1.94, 2012.1.95ab, 2012.1.566]
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Reisepass (Passport) for Gertrude Katzenstein
2012.1.95a
Dark green cover with Nazi eagle, titled "Deutsches Reich Reisepass." Interior includes biographical information about and a black and white photo of Gertrude Katzenstein.
Information Provided by Michael D. Bulmash:
Passport with picture of Gerdy born July 31, 1921 and stamped with “J” for Jew, by this time (1938) required, as is her middle name “Sara” also required of Jewish females. Handstamped by “president of police” in Bremen.
[Items relating to Gertrude Katzenstein: 2012.1.38ab, 2012.1.39, 2012.1.40, 2012.1.94, 2012.1.95b, 2012.1.566]
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Insert From Reisepass (Passport) for Gertrude Katzenstein
2012.1.95b
Tan paper with printed text, titled, "Merfblatt für Reifen in das Ausland." Found in the Reisepass for Gertrude Katzenstein (2012.1.95a).
Information Provided by Michael D. Bulmash:
Leaflet with information for travelers to foreign countries.
[Items relating to Gertrude Katzenstein: 2012.1.38ab, 2012.1.39, 2012.1.40, 2012.1.94, 2012.1.95a, 2012.1.566]
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Dress with German Star of David
2012.1.566
A black dress with an attached yellow Star of David patch with the word 'Jude' written on it.
Information Provided by Michael D. Bulmash:
Dress with German Star of David and “Jude,” owned by Gertrude Katzenstein (Gerdy Kaston).
[Items relating to Gertrude Katzenstein: 2012.1.38ab, 2012.1.39, 2012.1.40, 2012.1.94, 2012.1.95ab, 2012.1.566]