Julius Simson Family Collection
Scope and Content Note
This collection contains documents relating to the "Aryanization" in 1935 of the factory "Simson Werke" in Suhl (Thuringia), which was owned by Arthur Simson (1882-1969) and Julius Simson (1884-1953). It also includes materials about Julius Simson and the Simson family.
The Simson family folder contains a photocopy of a family photo (original removed to LBI photo collection and digitized, see Related Material), with the individuals identified; a map of the area around Suhl, Thuringia; and a family tree tracing the children of Moses Simson (Julius Simson's grandfather). The first two pages of the family tree are missing. Documents related to Julius Simson include educational records, residence permits, and a draft card declaring him unsuitable for service.
The Simson Works folder contains clippings about the particularly aggressive and public "Aryanization" of the Simson Werke; photographs and other information about the company (including some photocopies); a photostat copy of Arthur Simson's statement to the Zurich police about the "Aryanization;" a post-war declaration by attorney Fritz Fenthol, who was retained by the Simson family in 1935, and prepared as part of restitution proceedings; and a 1938 memo regarding Jewish wealth expropriation.
Dates
- Creation: 1905-1980
Creator
- Mayer, Eva, 1918- (Person)
Language of Materials
This collection is in German, with some English.
Access Restrictions
This collection is open to researchers.
Access Information
Readers may access the collection by visiting the Lillian Goldman Reading Room at the Center for Jewish History. We recommend reserving the collection in advance; please visit the LBI Online Catalog and click on the "Request" button.
Biographical Note
Brothers Arthur Simson (1882-1969) and Julius Simson (1884-1953) owned the factory "Simson Werke" in Suhl (Thuringia). The company had been founded by their ancestors in 1856. The factory, which employed over 4,000 workers, produced small arms, motorcycles, and other metal goods, and was one of the few armaments plants in Germany allowed by the Treaty of Versailles. The factory was "Aryanized" in 1935 in a particularly aggressive and public way by Thuringian Gauleiter Fritz Sauckel, and the Simson brothers were arrested. They were soon released, and later escaped to Switzerland and then to the United States. Their sister, Rosalie Simson (1876-1962) married David Mayer (1864-1943). David and Rosalie's son Ewald Mayer (born 1908) married Eva née Ladenburg (born 1918).
Extent
3 Folders
Abstract
This collection contains documents relating to the "Aryanization" in 1935 of factory "Simson Werke" in Suhl (Thuringia), which was owned by Arthur Simson (1882-1969) and Julius Simson (1884-1953). It also includes materials about Julius Simson and the Simson family.
Arrangement
Folders are in alphabetical order.
Digitization Note
The collection was digitized and made accessible in its entirety.
Separated Material
Israelitisches Wochenblatt (Zurich) 36(48), November 27, 1936 was removed to the LBI Library.
Processing Information
Materials were refoldered. Some of the clippings in folder 3 are very fragile. Articles from full journals were photocopied, and journals provided to the LBI Library.
Subject
- Simson, Arthur, 1882-1969 (Person)
- Simson, Julius, 1884-1953 (Person)
- Simson family (Family)
Genre / Form
Geographic
Topical
- Title
- Guide to the Julius Simson Family Collection undated, 1905-circa 1980 AR 11961
- Author
- Processed by Kevin Schlottmann
- Date
- © 2013
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
- Language of description note
- Description is in English.
- Sponsor
- Described, encoded, and digitized as part of the CJH Holocaust Resource Initiative, made possible by the Conference on Jewish Material Claims against Germany.
Revision Statements
- August 2015: dao links and digitization information added by Leanora Lange.
Repository Details
Part of the Leo Baeck Institute Repository
