New Online Tool Allows Users to Search Nazi Party Membership Records
A new online search engine, developed by the German newspaper Die Zeit in collaboration with archives in Germany and the United States, enables individuals to determine if their ancestors were members of the Nazi Party. The tool digitizes millions of NSDAP membership cards, known as the 'NSDAP-Mitgliederkartei,' which were preserved during World War II and previously accessible only through formal archival requests. Christian Rainer, an Austrian journalist, utilized the platform to discover that his grandfather joined the party shortly after the 1938 Anschluss, while also confirming that other family members, including his father, were not members. Since its launch in early April, the database has been accessed millions of times, reflecting significant public interest in confronting familial histories tied to the Nazi regime. Approximately 10.2 million Germans joined the party between 1925 and 1945. The records, originally saved from destruction by a paper mill director and held by US authorities before being transferred to German archives, now offer unprecedented ease of access for personal historical research, allowing users to uncover truths about their lineage eight decades after the war's end.
Wire timeline
New Online Tool Allows Users to Search Nazi Party Membership Records
A new online search engine, developed by the German newspaper Die Zeit in collaboration with archives in Germany and the United States, enables individuals to determine if their ancestors were members of the Nazi Party. The tool digitizes millions of NSDAP membership cards, known as the 'NSDAP-Mitgliederkartei,' which were preserved during World War II and previously accessible only through formal archival requests. Christian Rainer, an Austrian journalist, utilized the platform to discover that his grandfather joined the party shortly after the 1938 Anschluss, while also confirming that other family members, including his father, were not members. Since its launch in early April, the database has been accessed millions of times, reflecting significant public interest in confronting familial histories tied to the Nazi regime. Approximately 10.2 million Germans joined the party between 1925 and 1945. The records, originally saved from destruction by a paper mill director and held by US authorities before being transferred to German archives, now offer unprecedented ease of access for personal historical research, allowing users to uncover truths about their lineage eight decades after the war's end.
BBC News