Verdoner family and friends out for a stroll on a late fall/early winter day in Hilversum, Holland. Yoka Verdoner, her mother Hilde Verdoner, Francisca Verdoner in baby carriage, and several other children, women and men (possibly relatives or friends, the family is indentified as the Cohen family in original captions that accompany films). Walking through park, posing for group portraits, pointing out things of interest along their path. All are well dressed. Yoka hams it up for the camera. In one shot, we can see the arm of a man with a movie camera.
The Verdoner Family - Gerrit and Hilde Verdoner, their children Yoka (b.1934), Francisca (b.1937) and Otto (b.1939) - were Jewish. In May 1940, when the Germans overran the Netherlands, Nazi decrees aimed specifically at Jews forced Gerrit out of his business and Yoka out of her second grade class. When the Nazis commandeered their home, the Verdoners went to live with Gerrit's parents in Amsterdam. Shortly thereafter, Gerrit and Hilde decided to place the children in hiding. Their foresight enabled the children to survive and save these family films. Hilde entered Westerbork on December 18, 1942, while Gerrit had a job with the Jewish Council. On September 29, 1943, after the collapse of the Jewish Council and Gerrit's narrow escape from the Germans, Gerrit found refuge in a hideout on a farm. On January 8, 1944 Hilde was sent to Auschwitz. After the war, Gerrit managed to reunite with his children and other surviving family members. The Verdoners emigrated to the US in 1946.
Verdoner family and friends out in Hilversum