Help in translation

[clevischi]

Please, could someone help me in this one?

Thanks in advance.

[Hank C.]

Looks like an identity document for a Volks-deutsche, or somebody born outside of Germany who has been granted citizenship.

Hank

[Gerdan]

o. B. = ohne Beruf - without profession/occupation


Gerdan

[Gerdan]

The meaning of this ID card/pass was to declare that the owner had the full German citenzenship.

When Germany occupied Poland in 1939 they opened 5 different Volkslisten.

So people living in Poland and not having the German citizenship could apply for that.

But they had to fulfill certain conditions - and depinding on theses conditions they could get the full German citizenship or only a lower rank.

This ID confirms that the lady had the full Deutsche Staatsangehörigkeit (citizenship)

Gerdan

[clevischi]

Thank you guys.
Gerdan, you always saves me about this matter of translations, its very nice to have so kindly person in this forum.

[DocumentsGuy]

In the aftermath of World War I, the Treaty of Versailles punished Germany by ceding portions of her European territory to other countries. Germans living there arbitrarily became citizens of those countries. During the Third Reich, wherever Nazi Germany gained territory the people were required to register with the authorities. In 1940, the populations of foreign territory administered by the Reich were divided into groups based on ethnicity. Each group had its own entitlement to rations and were subject to restrictions on where they were allowed to reside, on the use of public transportation and access to educational and cultural facilities. Most privileged were Germans (Reichsdeutsche) from Germany sent abroad to work. Next most privileged were ethnic Germans (Volksdeutsche) divided into actively German (Groups I and II) and passively German (Groups III and IV). Foreign ethnic Germans could apply for German citizenship to the SS’s Volksdeutsche Mittlestelle. Groups I and II could became full German citizens. Those in Groups III and IV received restricted citizenship with fewer rights.

Categories of the Deutsche Volksliste

By decree of 4 March 1941 and implementing regulations of 13 March 1941, the German Peoples’ Registry (Deutsche Volksliste) was created. It divided the ethnic German population of Poland into four categories (Groups I- IV). Group I were Volksdeutsche who had actively taken part in the so-called struggle for ethnic nationality. Group II were Volksdeutsche who supported the ethnic German community and who, after September 1939, actively declared full support. Group III were Volksdeutsche with strong ties to the Polish community but who had the potential to become full members of the German community. This group included the children of mixed marriages if one parent was ethnically German. Group IV were people of German descent who had become completely Polish.
Deutsche Volksliste Groups I and II were adjudged able to fully participate building and strength-ening the ethnic German community in Polish territory integrated into the Greater German Reich. They were awarded German nationality, were designated citizens of the Reich (Reichsbürger), and received a blue Ausweis der Deutschen Volksliste.

Deutsche Volksliste Group III were those who were otherwise qualified but needed re-education in Germanity, a process of re-Germanification. They were awarded German nationality, but not citizenship, and received a green Ausweis der Deutschen Volksliste.
Deutsche Volksliste Group IV were those who were otherwise qualified but needed re-education in Germanity, a process of re-Germanification. They were awarded a revocable form of German nationality, but not citizenship, and received a red Ausweis der Deutschen Volksliste.
Ethnic Germans who did not qualify for entry into the Deutsche Volksliste were considered to be Polish. However, they were awarded the special legal status of "Protected Peoples of the Reich" (Schutzangehörigen des Reichs). They did not receive an Ausweis der Deutschen Volksliste, however, they did receive a German Reich Identity Card (Kennkarte) which bore a red diagonal stripe across the front cover and their special legal status was entered in the remarks section.

[Gerdan]

Hi Bruce,

you gave a very good explanation of the different Volkslisten-Groups.
I cound not have done it so good becaus of my poor English.

Gerdan

[clevischi]

Thanks for these nice information, Bruce.

[clevischi]

Another doubt, so whats the diference from a Kenkart with or without the red stripe?

[Gerdan]

Hi Carlos,

is there a n y difference (text, color) on the front page of these two Kennkarten?

Gerdan

[clevischi]

I dont think so... only the red stripe.

[Gerdan]

# 11

On the front page is written by hand (red ink) "Vorläufige" Kennkarte = provisional ID.

Do you think this could be the difference?

Gerdan

[clevischi]

They did not receive an Ausweis der Deutschen Volksliste, however, they did receive a German Reich Identity Card (Kennkarte) which bore a red diagonal stripe across the front cover and their special legal status was entered in the remarks section.

Could be it... but i did not understand the diference, and who can owne each type.

[DocumentsGuy]

The Kennkarte without the red stripe was the standard issue document for a German with full citizenship rights. The same kennkarte WITH the red stripe was issued to that category of Volksdeutsche who did not merit full German citizenship and were assigned to the lesser category of "Protected Peoples of the Reich". If you look at the first inside page of the red stripe kennkarte, in the Bermerkungen section, is often printed or stamped "Schutzangehöriger" (eingegliederte Ostgebiete)". Also notice that the name of the woman in Prag is Edith Müller, a good German name. Notice that the name of the woman in Metz was Franziska Wizewski, a good Polish name. She was Volksdeutsche, Müller was not.

[clevischi]

Thank you, Bruce.
Its a very interesting discussion.