Justin J. Mueller Collection 1890-2005 Bulk dates: 1936-1942

This collection primarily documents the efforts of Justin Mueller, his mother Laura (née Zivi) Mueller, and the extended Zivi family to leave Muellheim (Baden), Germany in the late 1930s and early 1940s. Also included are genealogical research on the Zivi family, materials about the family of Justin Mueller's wife, Hella Rees Mueller, and items of general German-Jewish interest donated by Mueller.The following individuals and families are mentioned in this collection:Gerngros, Ludwig; Mayer, Saly; Mueller family; New family; Reese family; Reis, Alfred; Reis, Alfredo; Zivi family; Zivi, Gustav, ; Zivi, Hugo.Justin J. Mueller (1923- ) was born to Laura Mueller (née Zivi) (1899-1983) and Willy Mueller (1893-2000) in Lechenich, Prussia (near Cologne). The marriage dissolved in 1926, and Justin, with his mother, moved in with his grandparents Gustave Zivi (1867-1942) and Caroline Zivi (née Bloch, 1867-1948), in Muellheim (Baden). His uncle Hugo Zivi's (1897-1974) family also lived there. In late 1935, the Gestapo came to question Laura Mueller about her friends and associates, and she resolved to emigrate immediately. By June 1936 she and Justin were in New York, living with her aunt Babette Bloch.After Kristallnacht in November 1938, Gustave, Caroline, and Hugo Zivi's family attempted to leave Germany. The Zivi children were sent to France, and the rest of the family soon followed. Once in France, they spent time in the camps at Gurs and Les Milles before finally leaving from Marseille and arriving in New York in April 1942. Fortunately for the Zivis, many of Gustave and Caroline's siblings had emigrated to the United States long ago, settling in New York, Chicago, and Los Angeles, which made obtaining affidavits from US citizens in support of their emigration from Germany somewhat easier.Justin Mueller later married Hella née Rees (1924-1994), and settled in Vermont.Aristides de Sousa Mendes ; Saly Mayer trucks for Jews ; Neu family ; Feng Shang Ho ; Muellheim ; Meiningen ; Lechenich/ErftstadtVideotape with a copy of the German movie "Viehjud Levi" removed to A/V CollectionPhotographs removed to Photograph CollectionFor more information about the Zivi family, see also the article The Zivis of Muellheim, by Justin J. Mueller, in Stammbaum, Issue 29 (2006).Processeddigitize