Correspondence regarding Dokumentenwerk - with Bundeszentrale für Heimatdienst - Jacobsen, Walter

Beginning in 1954 The Wiener Library and the Institute for Contemporary History (IfZ) in Munich worked jointly on an edition of documents (Dokumentenwerk) regarding the persecution of Jews in the Nazi era. Initiated by the Ministry of Interior (BMI) and funded by the Federal Agency for Homeland Service (BHD) this project was part of larger journalistic endeavors by these two authorities to fight and prevent Antisemitism in West Germany. Due to ongoing problems the Dokumentenwerk was cancelled eventually in May 1963.

Dr Walter Jacobsen was a German psychologist who served as head of BHD’s psychology department from 1952-1960.

 

Correspondence regarding Dokumentenwerk - with Bundeszentrale für Heimatdienst - Jacobsen, Walter 

55 letters 

The correspondence centres on organizational aspects related to the Dokumentenwerk. For the project’s early stage this includes the scheduling of a meeting with board members and editors (1954), and a discussion of recurring delays of the official assignment by the BHD (1955). From 1957 the correspondence reflects the BHD’s urge to complete the work. The letters concern several meetings as well as financial details. Additionally, a protocol of a meeting with the project’s board members (including Max Horkheimer) and editors, a money order, and a memo on a meeting of Jacobsen and Alfred Wiener are contained. 

This material has been digitised. Readers should book a reading room terminal to access it. 

See the numerous correspondences on the Dokumentenwerk project within the Pre-1963 Correspondence series.