Ancestry digitizes millions of Holocaust archives — and makes them available to the public permanently

As part of Ancestry’s philanthropic initiative to make culturally important records available to everyone, the genealogy company announced yesterday it has digitized millions of Holocaust and Nazi persecution-related archives. These new records are accessible globally to the public – members and non-members alike – on a permanent basis.

Included in these records are passenger lists of immigrants who left Germany and other European cities, often for Canada and the United States, between 1946 and 1971.

Also included are registers of those living in Germany between 1939 and 1947 who were persecuted by public institutions and corporations.

Ancestry partnered with Arolsen Archives, an international centre on Nazi persecution with the world’s most comprehensive archive on victims of National Socialism, which granted Ancestry access to publish the digital images of these records.

The collection contains millions of names and other critical information about some of those affected by Holocaust and Nazi persecution. 

It’s been more than 70 years since the Holocaust and the number of living witnesses and survivors has dwindled to around 400,000, with many of these individuals now in their 80s or 90s.

On its blog, Ancestry said, “Now more than ever, we believe it’s critical that the events of the Holocaust do not become a distant memory and that these records are preserved.

“By making these Holocaust record collections public, our hope is that it empowers the public to learn more about the magnitude of the Holocaust, those who lived through it and those who perished as a result of it.”

After signing up for a free Ancestry account, people can view both Holocaust and Nazi persecution related archives to identify immigrants leaving Germany and other European ports as well as “non-citizens” persecuted in occupied territories. 

The new collection includes Africa, Asia & Europe Passenger Lists of Displaced Persons (1946-1971) with 1.7 million records and 300,000 images, and Europe, Registration of Foreigners & German Individuals Persecuted (1939-1947) with 9.97 million records and 900,000 images. The latter collection is not restricted to people who were incarcerated in camps or other locations, and the documents may also include information on those who died, including burial information.   

Ancestry plans to continue digitizing documents from the Arolsen Archives into its database in 2020.

Kudos to Ancestry. My brain explodes with thoughts about all the educational and research opportunities this initiative will make possible.