HIAS Pennsylvania Records

 

1884-2020, bulk 1913-1989

 

SCRC 94

 

HIAS Pennsylvania

 

346.83 linear feet (354 boxes + 3 map folders + 66 microfilm reels)

 

Special Collections Research Center, Temple University Libraries

 

Materials predominately in English. German, Russian and other Slavic languages, Korean, Vietnamese, Khmer, and other languages found throughout collection.

 

 

HIAS Pennsylvania (Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society) was established in 1884 as the Association of Jewish Immigrants.  Created in response to the influx of Jewish immigrants in the 1870s and 1880s, the association provided immigrants with a variety of services designed to ease the transition to a new country.  A representative placed at the Philadelphia port guided immigrants to their next destination, offered transportation fare, and ensured that new arrivals were met at the port by American family members or friends.  The association also provided meals, temporary housing, and job placement services.  Shortly after its founding, the organization changed its name to the Association for the Protection of Jewish Immigrants.  In 1921, the organization became an affiliate of the National Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society based in New York, and was renamed the Hebrew Sheltering and Immigrant Aid Society.  As the government passed stricter immigration legislation in the 1910s and 1920s, the society helped Jews petition for immigrant visas on behalf of their family members in Europe.  They also assisted immigrants with the citizenship process.

 

In 1952, the society merged with the Philadelphia chapter of the National Council of Jewish Women (NCJW) Bureau of Service to Foreign Born to become HIAS and Council Migration Service.  Prior to the merger, the Philadelphia NCJW operated a service similar to HIAS, and encouraged self-sufficiency for Jewish immigrant women by providing language classes and job training.  The NCJW volunteers also paid welcome visits to newly-arrived Jewish immigrants, arranged for social services, held community events, and assisted with the naturalization process.  

 

Throughout the Cold War, HIAS and Council Migration Service operated programs specifically geared towards helping Soviet Jewish immigrants. In the early 1970s, HIAS and Council collaborated with Jewish Family and Children’s Service (JFCS) and Jewish Employment and Vocational Services (JEVS) to provide services to Southeast Asian refugees following the Vietnam War.  By the 1990s, the organization expanded its services to provide immigrants with pro bono legal services.  In 2009, HIAS and Council Migration Service changed its name to HIAS Pennsylvania.      

      

The HIAS Pennsylvania Records contain steamship ticket ledgers, arrival records, naturalization papers, immigrant case files, and administrative files utilized by the organization to provide services to Philadelphia’s immigrant community.  Though many of the records were created by HIAS, some materials were generated by the Philadelphia chapter of the National Council of Jewish Women Bureau of Service to Foreign Born, an organization that merged with HIAS in 1952.  The steamship ticket ledgers were created by M.L. Blitzstein and Co., M. Rosenbaum and Co., Pennsylvania Company for Banking and Trusts, and Rosenbluth Brothers; four steamship ticket agents who predominately sold passage to Jewish immigrants.  In addition to early immigration records, this collection also contains materials related to the Southeast Asian refugee programs of the 1970s and 1980s.  The greater part of the collection is described at the box level.       

 

 

The collection is arranged into 11 series as follows:

 

Series 1: Steamship ticket purchase ledgers, 1890-circa 1950s 

            Subseries 1.1: M.L. Blitzstein and Co. ledgers and index, 1899-circa 1950s

            Subseries 1.2: Pennsylvania Company for Banking and Trusts ledgers, 1906-1948

            Subseries 1.3: M. Rosenbaum and Co. ledgers, 1890-1934

            Subseries 1.4: Rosenbluth Brothers ledgers, 1907-1950

Series 2: Arrival records and port of entry card files, 1884-circa 1950s

            Subseries 2.1: Compiled arrival records for the years 1884-1952, circa 1950s

            Subseries 2.2: Ship passenger list ledgers, 1884-1921 

            Subseries 2.3: HIAS port of entry card files, circa 1913-1945

            Subseries 2.4: National Council of Jewish Women port of entry and face card files, circa 1911-1947

            Subseries 2.5: Detainee card files, 1913-1943

            Subseries 2.6: Landing verification cards, 1913-1921

Series 3: Naturalization forms and service card files, circa 1914-1952

            Subseries 3.1: HIAS naturalization service card files, circa 1914-1952

            Subseries 3.2: National Council of Jewish Women naturalization service card files, circa 1939-1951

            Subseries 3.3: Naturalization applications, 1931-1942

            Subseries 3.4: Naturalization and record of arrival service forms, 1937-1952

            Subseries 3.5: Name change reports for naturalization services, 1939

            Subseries 3.6: Petition card files, circa 1924-1937

Series 4: Administrative files, 1927-1998, undated (bulk 1952-1986) (Portions restricted)

            Subseries 4.1: Annual Meeting and special events files, 1952-1995

            Subseries 4.2: Board of directors and committee meeting files, 1952-1998 (Portions restricted)

            Subseries 4.3: Cooperating agencies and task force files, 1976-1986, undated

            Subseries 4.4: Correspondence, 1950-1987

            Subseries 4.5: Financial files, 1955-1996, undated (Portions restricted)

            Subseries 4.6: Fundraising and membership files, 1971-1992, undated (Bulk restricted)

            Subseries 4.7: Monthly case lists and arrival records, 1966-1988 (Restricted) 

            Subseries 4.8: Office files, 1927-1988

            Subseries 4.9: Statistical reports, 1964-1986

Series 5: Southeast Asian refugee resettlement records, 1977-1989 (Portions restricted)

            Subseries 5.1: Orderly Departure Program (ODP) files, 1979-1986 (Bulk restricted)

            Subseries 5.2: Southeast Asian Resettlement (SEAR) program records, 1977-1989 (Portions restricted)

Series 6: Brief records, 1930-1982 (Restricted)

Series 7: Case files, 1930-1988 (Restricted)

Series 8: Location service files, 1952-1984 (Restricted)

Series 9: Website versions in Archive-It, 2014-2020 

Series 10: Accession 2018-5 (Portions restricted), 1930-2017

          Subseries 10.1: Board records, 1930-2015 (Portions restricted)

          Subseries 10.2: Financial records, 1977-2015 (Portions restricted)

          Subseries 10.3: Executive director files #1, 1952-2000 (Portions restricted)

          Subseries 10.4: Executive director files #2, 1955-2017 (Portions restricted)

          Subseries 10.5: SERICC / PICC, 1998-2004 

          Subseries 10.6: Arrival records, 1975-1991 (Portions restricted)

          Subseries 10.7: Events, 2003-2015

Series 11: Accession 2019-35 (Portions restricted), 1979-2019

 

 

Series 1: Steamship ticket purchase ledgers, 1890-circa 1950s, contains ledgers created by immigrant banks and steamship ticket agents that served the Philadelphia immigrant community.  These ledgers document the purchase of tickets for passage to and from America mostly for the purposes of immigration, but also for leisure and vacation travel. Although the steamship agents represented here predominantly arranged passage for Eastern European Jews, other immigrant communities utilized their services and are represented in these ledgers.  HIAS Pennsylvania acquired these ledgers in the 1940s in order to search records of arrivals for clients.  The steamship ticket purchase ledgers typically include information such as purchaser name, passenger name and age, ship name, ports of origin and arrival, and dates and ticket number.  This series is arranged into four subseries: Subseries 1.1: M.L. Blitzstein and Co. ledgers and index; Subseries 1.2: Pennsylvania Company for Banking and Trusts ledgers; Subseries 1.3: M. Rosenbaum and Co. ledgers; and Subseries 1.4: Rosenbluth Brothers ledgers. The bulk of the ledgers have been digitized and are available on the Libraries’ website: http://digital.library.temple.edu/cdm/landingpage/collection/p16002coll16 

 

Subseries 1.1: M.L. Blitzstein and Co. ledgers and index, 1899-circa 1950s, contains steamship ticket purchase ledgers from M.L. Blitzstein and Co., a private bank founded in 1889 by immigrants Anna (Hannah) and Marcus (Moishe) Blitzstein.  The bank offered a range of financial services including saving and checking accounts, international money transfers, and the arrangement and sale of steamship tickets.  The bank closed in December 1930 after a high number of withdrawals from panicked depositors forced the bank’s closure.  The Blitzstein steamship ticket purchase ledgers include the following information: ticket number, price, and date of purchase; purchaser name and address; passenger name and age; steamship line and steamer name; and ports of departure and arrival.  This subseries also includes a card file index to the ledgers.  Information on the cards includes passenger name, the ledger volume and page number of the entry, and in some cases, the entry number.  The index card file is arranged alphabetically by passenger’s last name.  The steamship ledgers are arranged numerically by volume.

 

Subseries 1.2: Pennsylvania Company for Banking and Trusts ledgers, 1906-1948, contains steamship ticket purchase ledgers that were created by a banking concern that changed hands many times over the course of its existence.  Most of the ledgers were filled out at the bank’s 7th and Girard Avenues branch—an office location that remained throughout the bank’s many mergers.  The earliest ledgers in this subseries were created by Lipshutz & Wurzel, a railroad and steamship travel ticket agency.  In 1915, the company converted to the banking business and was renamed People’s Bank.  In 1923, they merged with the People’s Trust Company.  Shortly thereafter, in 1927, People’s Bank and Trust merged with the Colonial Trust Company and took its name.  In 1930, the Colonial Trust Company merged with The Pennsylvania Company for Insurance on Lives and Granting Annuities, which became The Pennsylvania Company for Banking and Trusts by 1947.  Each entry contains the ticket purchaser’s name and address; the passenger’s name, age, and address; steamship line and steamer name; departure and landing locations; ticket price and number; and the date of purchase.  The early ledgers are prefaced by an index that includes a list of names and the page number or the related entry.  This subseries is arranged chronologically by ticket purchase date.  Please note that some ledgers dating from 1906 to 1923 are available only in a PDF file, on microfilm, or a print out from microfilm in the repository.  

 

Subseries 1.3: M. Rosenbaum and Co. ledgers, 1890-1934, contains steamship ticket purchase ledgers created by M. Rosenbaum and Co., a private banking firm established in 1885 by Morris Rosenbaum, an Austro-Hungarian immigrant, and his wife, Hannah.  Rosenbaum and Co. was located at 603 South 3rd Street and provided foreign exchange services and sold steamship and railroad tickets. In 1930, Morris retired from the private bank, turning operations over to Alexander S. Berkowitz.  On December 27, 1934, M. Rosenbaum and Co. was taken over by the State Banking Department after an examination revealed that the bank failed to comply with certain conditions set by the state.  The ledger entries contain the ticket number, price, and date of purchase; departure and landing locations; and passenger name.  Some entries contain additional information, including the ticket purchaser’s name and address.  The ledgers also contain passenger indexes that can be found in various locations within the ledgers.  The steamship ledgers are arranged numerically by volume. 

 

Subseries 1.4: Rosenbluth Brothers ledgers, 1907-1950, contains steamship ticket purchase ledgers created by Rosenbluth Brothers travel agency.  The company was founded in 1892 and initially sold passage between New York and Philadelphia before expanding to include corporate and leisure travel arrangements.  The ledgers contain information such as: name and address of the ticket purchaser; date of purchase and ticket price; name, age, and address of the passenger; the booked from and to, steamer line and ship name; date of departure; and ports of departure and arrival.  Each ledger is prefaced by an index that includes a list of names and the page number or the related entry.  The ledgers are arranged chronologically. Please note that two of the ledgers are available only on microfilm or as print outs from microfilm.

 

Series 2: Arrival records and port of entry card files, 1884-circa 1950s, contains ships passenger list ledgers and index card files that record information on Jewish immigrants who arrived at the Philadelphia port from 1884-1945.   These records were produced both by HIAS and the National Council of Jewish Women.  Importantly, this series also includes an index of all immigrants whose arrival was recorded by HIAS.  Series 2 is organized into six subseries: Subseries 2.1: Arrival records for the years 1884-1952; Subseries 2.2: Ship passenger list ledgers; Subseries 2.3: HIAS port of entry card files, Subseries 2.4: National Council of Jewish Women port of entry card files, Subseries 2.5: Detainee card files, and Subseries 2.6: Landing verification cards.

 

Subseries 2.1: Compiled arrival records for the years 1884-1952, circa 1950s, contains an index of the HIAS’s accumulated immigrant arrival records.  The indexes include information such as: immigrant name, age, gender, nationality, date of immigration, and ship name.  Some listings also include notes on the immigrant’s final destination.  Most of the copies are oversize ledgers, though some letters are printouts from microfilm.  Within each index, entries are listed first chronologically by date of arrival, and then alphabetically by immigrant’s last name.  The arrival record indexes are arranged alphabetically.

 

Subseries 2.2: Ship passenger list ledgers, 1884-1921, contains fifteen ledgers kept by HIAS, first as the Association of Jewish Immigrants, and later as the Association for the Protection of Jewish Immigrants.   The ledgers record the arrival of Jewish immigrants into the Philadelphia port between 1884-1921.  The bulk of the ledgers contain some or all of the following information: passenger name, age, gender, nationality, and occupation; date of arrival and ship name; and final destination.  Some ledgers include notes on financial assistance given to the immigrant.  The first ledger in this subseries is unique in that it records information on immigrants who made use of the association’s temporary lodging house, including the number of meals consumed and nights stayed.   The second ledger contains notes for a report to the board of directors written by Moses Klein, the association’s port representative.  Although the ledgers extend to 1921, researchers interested in post-1914 arrival records are encouraged to check Subseries 2.3: HIAS port of entry card files, for more complete records.  The ledgers in this subseries are arranged chronologically.     

 

Subseries 2.3: HIAS port of entry card files, circa 1913-1945, contains HIAS’s records on arriving immigrants.  The card files represent a continuation of ship passenger list ledgers.  Though most cards were created when an immigrant arrived in Philadelphia, there are some records that were created by HIAS in New York.  Information recorded on the cards includes the immigrant’s name, age, and occupation; last permanent residence and final destination; steamer name, date of arrival, and the number of people in their party.  The cards also indicate an immigrant’s financial situation and literacy skills.  The cards are arranged alphabetically by the last name of the immigrant.  Please note that the cards have been maintained in their original order and may not be strictly alphabetized.  Port cards with limited information, as well as carbon copies of original cards, can be found at the end of the series.  

 

Subseries 2.4: National Council of Jewish Women port of entry and face card files, circa 1911-1947, contains the council’s records on Jewish immigrants arriving in Philadelphia.  Many of these card files were created at the Philadelphia office, though if an immigrant arrived at the New York port, the record was created by the New York branch and sent down.  In these cases, the Philadelphia branch of the council’s Bureau of Service to Foreign Born was responsible for paying a “welcome call” on the new residents.  The NCJW port of entry card files differ from those created by HIAS in that many are face cards, a common 1920s social service method for recording summary information about clients.  As a result, in addition to the standard arrival information, the face cards also include narrative information about the agency’s interaction with the client. Cards are arranged alphabetically by immigrant’s last name.  Please note that the cards have been maintained in their original order and may not be strictly alphabetized. 

 

Subseries 2.5: Detainee card files, 1913-1943, contains one box of index cards that document cases of immigrants detained at the Philadelphia port.  The cards contain such information as: immigrant name, date or arrival, destination, reason for detention, and case resolution.   As noted on the cards, immigrants were detained for many reasons, including sickness, insufficient funds, and because they were not claimed by an American sponsor at the port.  Immigrants were also sometimes detained on suspicion of mental illness or illiteracy, and were listed as liable to become a public charge (LPC).  Though most of the cases in this subseries were resolved and the immigrant released, there are some instances of deportation.  The cards do not contain narrative information, but rather include brief notes on the detention case.  The cards are arranged alphabetically by the last name of the detainee.

 

Subseries 2.6: Landing verification cards, 1913-1921, contain information gathered in order to verify an immigrant’s arrival in the United States.  Information collected on the cards includes the immigrant’s name, address, nationality, date of arrival, port of debarkation, and steamer name.  The information on the cards was then sent to the HIAS branch affiliate closest to the port of debarkation for verification.  Some cards note whether arrival could be verified.  The cards are arranged alphabetically by immigrant’s last name.

 

Series 3: Naturalization forms and service card files, circa 1914-1952, contains files on clients who requested naturalization assistance from HIAS and the National Council of Jewish Women.  The series contains client card files, naturalization applications, naturalization service forms, client name change reports, and petition cards.  This series has been organized into six subseries: Subseries 3.1: HIAS naturalization service card files; Subseries 3.2: National Council of Jewish Women naturalization service card files; Subseries 3.3: Naturalization applications, Subseries 3.4: Naturalization and record of arrival service forms; Subseries 3.5: Name change reports for naturalization services; and Subseries 3.6: Petition card files.

 

Subseries 3.1: HIAS naturalization service card files, circa 1914-1952, contain HIAS’s records on clients who utilized their services in the naturalization process.  Each index card contains narrative information that may include the immigrant’s current name, former name, and address; names of parents and children, birth dates, children’s birth dates, wedding date, hometown, and date of application.  The cards are arranged alphabetically by the last name of the client.  Please note that if an immigrant changed his or her last name, the files are alphabetized according to the chosen name.  

 

Subseries 3.2: National Council of Jewish Women naturalization service card files, circa 1939-1951, contain the council’s files on immigrants who utilized their assistance throughout the naturalization process.  Information on the cards includes the client’s current name as well as name upon arrival; steamer name, port name, and date of arrival; current address, occupation, birth date, birthplace, parents’ names, and spouse and children’s names.  The cards also indicate which action the client is taking in the two-step naturalization process; filing either “first” papers, the declaration of intent to naturalize, or “second” papers, the formal naturalization petition.  The cards are arranged alphabetically by the last name of the client.

 

Subseries 3.3: Naturalization applications, 1931-1942, contains forms that represent the first step in applying for citizenship.  Entitled the “Application for a Certificate of Arrival and Preliminary Form for Petition for Citizenship,” the form provides information necessary to filing a petition for naturalization.  Interspersed in this series are related forms, such as applications for derivative citizenship, alien registration, re-entry permits, and an application to replace a lost or stolen naturalization form.  This series is arranged alphabetically by immigrant’s last name.

 

Subseries 3.4: Naturalization and record of arrival service forms, 1937-1952, includes internal forms filled out in the course of providing naturalization services.  Clients inquired after the status of their naturalization application or requested the agency’s assistance in obtaining copies of birth records and marriage certificates, as well as record of arrival information.  This subseries is arranged chronologically by date of the form, and then alphabetically by client’s last name.  

          

Subseries 3.5: Name change reports for naturalization services, 1939, contains print-out files on clients whose names had changed since entering the United States.  The files contain information that is not contextualized although some are interspersed with service applications.  This series is arranged alphabetically by the client’s most recent last name.

 

Subseries 3.6: Petition card files, circa 1924-1937, contains index card files recording information about naturalized citizens who petition for family members to be allowed legally to immigrate to the United States.  The cards include the petitioner’s name and address, as well as the potential immigrant’s name, age, location, and relationship to the petitioner.  The cards also include the petitioner’s naturalization number, as well as the date and location of naturalization.  The cards are arranged alphabetically by petitioner’s last name.

 

Series 4: Administrative files (Portions restricted), 1927-1998, undated (bulk 1952-1986), contains the organizational records of HIAS and Council Migration Services.  Materials include correspondence, financial reports, fundraising files, meeting minutes, and project files.  Almost all of the materials post-date the 1952 merger of HIAS and the Philadelphia branch of the National Council of Jewish Women’s Bureau of Service to Foreign Born.  This series has been further divided into nine subseries: Subseries 4.1: Annual Meeting and special events files; Subseries 4.2: Board of directors and committee meeting files; Subseries 4.3: Cooperating agencies; Subseries 4.4: Correspondence; Subseries 4.5: Financial files (Portions restricted); Subseries 4.6: Fundraising and membership files (Bulk restricted); Subseries 4.7: Monthly case lists and arrival records (Restricted); Subseries 4.8: Office files; and Subseries 4.9: Statistical reports.   

 

Subseries 4.1: Annual Meeting and special events files, 1952-1995, contains materials relating to HIAS Pennsylvania’s annual luncheon meetings, fundraisers, and gala events.  Materials include correspondence, invitation lists, and related planning materials, as well as material from the events, including lists of attendees, programs, and speech transcripts.  This subseries is organized alphabetically by event title, and then chronologically.

 

Subseries 4.2: Board of directors and committee meeting files, 1952-1998, contains correspondence, meeting minutes, and reports generated by HIAS and Council Migration Services’s committees.  In addition to the board of directors, this subseries also includes materials from committees such as the Case Committee, the Executive Committee, the Legislative Committee, the Nominating Committee, and the Program Committee.  This subseries is arranged alphabetically by committee name, and then chronologically.

 

Subseries 4.3: Cooperating agencies and task force files, 1976-1986, undated, includes correspondence, meeting minutes, reports, and planning materials from HIAS and Council Migration Service’s involvement with similar organizations.  HIAS also participated in special meetings and task forces organized to discuss Philadelphia’s immigrant communities.  In addition to the national HIAS organization, this subseries also includes material from the Association of Jewish Agency Executives, the Federation of Jewish Agencies of Greater Philadelphia Task Force on Resettlement, the Golden Slipper Club, and the Southeast Asian Refugee Task Force of Greater Philadelphia, among others.  This subseries is arranged alphabetically by agency name, and then chronologically.

 

Subseries 4.4: Correspondence, 1950-1987, contains general correspondence, as well as staff memoranda and correspondence with board presidents Ken Kaiserman and Sonnie Crane.  This subseries is arranged alphabetically by the type of correspondence, and then chronologically.

 

Subseries 4.5: Financial files (Portions restricted), 1955-1996, undated, contains materials related to HIAS and Council’s yearly budget, as well as financial reports, operating statements, and general ledgers.  Some materials are restricted for a period of 75 years from the date of creation due to the presence of employee files and donation information.  This subseries is arranged alphabetically by type of material, and then chronologically.

 

Subseries 4.6: Fundraising and membership files (Bulk restricted), 1971-1992, undated, contains materials created for HIAS and Council’s fundraising efforts.  In addition to fundraising campaign letters, it also contains donor lists and correspondence related to membership in both HIAS and Council and the National HIAS organization.  Some materials are restricted for a period of 75 years from the date of creation due to the presence of donation information.  This subseries is organized alphabetically by type of material, and then chronologically.

 

Subseries 4.7: Monthly case lists and arrival records (Restricted), 1966-1988, contains HIAS and Council Migration Services’ summary records of client interaction.  Monthly case lists include intake information, such as client name, country of origin, and the service requested. The arrival records list the names of immigrants arriving in Philadelphia, the number of people in their family, and nationality.  This subseries also includes the itineraries of arriving immigrants, including the name, ages and relationship of the arriving immigrants, the name and address of the sponsoring family member, and the time and place the family is meeting.  This series is restricted for a period of 75 years from the date of creation due to the presence of personally identifiable information and sensitive immigration records. This subseries is arranged alphabetically by type of material, and then chronologically. 

 

Subseries 4.8: Office files, 1927-1988, contains the organization’s basic administrative records, such as charitable organization registrations, lease information, public relations files, personnel guidelines, forms, and internal reports. This subseries also contains some special project planning files.  An item of note included in this subseries is a self-study of HIAS conducted in 1958.  This subseries is arranged alphabetically by type of material, and then chronologically. 

 

Subseries 4.9: Statistical reports, 1964-1986, consists mostly of monthly statistical reports, used for both internal purposes and for submission to Philadelphia’s Health and Welfare Council.  Statistics include such information as the number of clients, types of services utilized, case workers’ caseloads, and clients’ biographical information.  This subseries is organized alphabetically by type of report, and then chronologically.  

 

Series 5: Southeast Asian refugee resettlement records (Portions restricted), 1977-1989, contains HIAS’s files related to the resettlement of Indochinese refugees in the 1970s and 1980s.  In the 1970s, the federal government requested that the national HIAS, Inc. and its affiliates assist with the resettlement of Southeast Asian refugees following the Vietnam War and the establishment of communist governments in Asia.  The records are organized into two subseries: Subseries 5.1: Orderly Departure Program (ODP) files (Bulk restricted) and Subseries 5.2: Southeast Asian Resettlement (SEAR) program records (Portions restricted).

  

Subseries 5.1: Orderly Departure Program (ODP) files (Bulk restricted), 1979-1986, contains files created by HIAS over the course of their participation in the government program.  The bulk of this subseries consists of case files that are restricted for a period of 75 years from date of creation due to the presence of sensitive immigration information. There is one folder of unrestricted correspondence and reports.  This subseries is arranged alphabetically by type of material.

 

Subseries 5.2: Southeast Asian Resettlement (SEAR) program records (Portions restricted), 1977-1989, contains materials related to HIAS’ involvement with resettling Southeast Asian immigrants.  Alternately referred to by HIAS as the Southeast Asian Resettlement Program, or Indochinese Program, this subseries contains case files, financial files, grant information, memoranda, and arrival lists.  Many of the files are related to refugees’ adjustment of status, a procedure which allows immigrants to become citizens without applying for an immigrant visa.  The bulk of this subseries is restricted for a period of 75 years from the date of creation due to the presence of sensitive immigration information.  This subseries is arranged alphabetically by of material, and then chronologically.

 

Series 6: Brief records (Restricted), 1930-1982, contains HIAS’s client files.  Clients contacted HIAS for support with the naturalization process, requests to sponsor a relative’s immigration to the United States, or for help with employment, social services, and tracking down legal documents.  Brief records do not typically contain detailed information.  In the 1960s, case files that were closed prior to 1952 were winnowed down into brief records, with the exception of a few alphabetical file runs.  Please note that there are no brief records for last names beginning with “S” for the years 1930-1951; those can be found in Series 7.  This series is restricted for a period of 75 years from the date of creation due to the presence of personally identifiable information, sensitive immigration files, and medical records. This series is arranged chronologically by the date the case was closed, and then alphabetically by client’s last name.      

 

Series 7: Case files (Restricted), 1930-1988, includes HIAS’s client files.  These case files are unique from brief records in that they contain extended documentation in relation to the client’s case.  There is either a brief record or a case file for clients, but not both.  In the 1960s, HIAS reviewed these files and pared down case files closed prior to 1952 into brief records.  However, some files were missed, particularly the S’s, and they can be found here in their more extensive form.  This series is restricted for a period of 75 years from the date of creation due to the presence of personally identifiable information, sensitive immigration files, and medical records.  This series is arranged chronologically by the date the case was closed, and then alphabetically by client’s last name.  

 

Series 8: Location service files (Restricted), 1952-1984, contains files on clients who requested HIAS’s assistance in finding estranged relatives or friends.  Upon receiving a request, HIAS representatives consulted telephone directories, spoke with the national and international HIAS branches, and printed a list of “persons sought” in the Jewish Exponent.  Files most often contain correspondence related to the request.  Please note that location service files for the year 1962 are interfiled with Series 6: Brief records.  This series is restricted for a period of 75 years from the date of creation due to the presence of personally identifiable information, sensitive immigration files, and medical records. Location service files are arranged chronologically by the date the case was closed, and then alphabetically by client’s last name.

 

Series 9: Website versions in Archive-It, 2014-2020, contains preserved versions of HIAS Pennsylvania’s website. To access these sites, see the Temple University Special Collections Jewish Archives Archive-It web page:  https://www.archive-it.org/collections/4280                 

 

Series 10: Accession 2018-5 (Portions restricted), 1930-2017, is an addition of records donated in 2018 after the collection was initially arranged and described. This series contains records similar in scope and content to those found in Series 4: Administrative files. All original folder titles have been retained. Descriptive information has been added to some folder titles for clarity and are indicated in brackets. This series is divided into seven subseries.

 

Subseries 10.1: Board records (Portions restricted), 1930-2015, contains files created by the HIAS Board of Directors and includes officers’ files from former presidents H.H. Cohen and Daniel C. Cohen. Materials include correspondence, reports, board lists, meeting minutes, personnel guidelines, and board contributions. All board materials are restricted for 25 years from the date of creation. This subseries is arranged chronologically.

 

Subseries 10.2: Financial records (Portions restricted), 1977-2015, contains financial statements, budgets, and grant and foundation files for institutional and interagency projects funded through local and federal government programs and non-governmental organizations or NGOs. Portions of this series are restricted for a period of either 25 or 75 years from the date of creation due to the presence of salary information and resumes or personally identifiable information and sensitive immigration records. This subseries is arranged alphabetically by folder title.

 

Subseries 10.3: Executive Director files #1 (Portions restricted), 1952-2000, contains files primarily created by former Executive Directors Robert Klotz and Harry Graber. Materials include correspondence, press releases, meeting minutes, reports, statistics, planning materials, studies, and surveys. This subseries also includes files pertaining to allied local and national organizations engaged in similar work. Portions of this series are restricted for a period of 75 years from the date of creation due to the presence of personally identifiable information and sensitive immigration records. This subseries contains a small amount of records in Russian, Lao, Vietnamese, Japanese, Filipino, Cambodian, Urdu, Thai, Korean, and Chinese. This subseries is arranged alphabetically by folder title.

 

Subseries 10.4: Executive Director files #2 (Portions restricted), 1955-2017, contains files created primarily by Executive Directors Judith Bernstein Baker and Robert Klotz. Materials include correspondence, training materials, subject reference files, fundraising materials, meeting minutes, newspaper clippings and press materials, slides, and event planning materials as well as annual reports, bylaws and organization histories. Some grant information can be found in this series and compliments those records found in subseries 10.2. Portions of this series are restricted for a period of either 25 or 75 year from the date of creation due to the presence of salary information and resumes or personally identifiable information and sensitive immigration records. This subseries contains a small amount of records in Russian and Korean. This subseries is arranged alphabetically by folder title.

 

Subseries 10.5: SERICC / PICC, 1998-2004, contains files on the interfaith, interagency, advocacy organization Pennsylvania and Immigration Citizenship Coalition (PICC), which was originally established in 1998 as the Southeast Regional Immigration and Citizenship Coalition (SERICC) through a grant project at HIAS Pennsylvania. Materials in this series include bylaws, manuals, correspondence, event and meeting memoranda, and mailing lists. This subseries is arranged chronologically.

 

Subseries 10.6: Arrival records, 1975-1991 (Portions restricted), lists the names of immigrants arriving in Philadelphia, date of arrival, and in some cases an immigrant’s Philadelphia address. Some records include comments or arrangements for picking up clients at the airport. One folder in this series is restricted for a period of 75 years from the date of creation due to the presence of personally identifiable information such as alien registration numbers. This subseries is arranged chronologically.

 

Subseries 10.7: Events, 2003-2015, contains files about HIAS Pennsylvania’s fundraisers and annual galas. Materials include correspondence, invitation lists, event budgets, programs, press and marketing materials, reports, and related planning documents. This subseries is arranged chronologically.

 

Series 11: Accession 2019-35 (Portions restricted), 1979-2018, is an addition of records donated in 2019 after the collection was initially arranged and described. This series contains records similar in scope and content to those found in Series 10, primarily development files and files created by Executive Director Judith Bernstein Baker. All original folder titles have been retained in the order they were received. Portions of this series are restricted for a period of either 25 or 75 years from the date of creation due to the presence of salary information and resumes, personally identifiable information and sensitive immigration records, or board records.

 

 

 

The bulk of Series 1 and 2 and all of Subseries 3.1 are available on microfilm. 

Forty-four of the fifty-five steamship ticket purchase ledgers in Series 1 have been digitized.  All of Subseries 1.1: M.L. Blitzstein and Co. and Subseries 1.3: M. Rosenbaum and Co. ledgers, and portions of Subseries 1.2: Pennsylvania Company for Banking and Trusts and Subseries 1.4: Rosenbluth Brothers have been digitized and can be accessed at http://digital.library.temple.edu/cdm/landingpage/collection/p16002coll16

  

The location of nine of the original ledgers from Subseries 1.2 and two of the original ledgers from Subseries 1.3 is unknown. Copies of these ledgers are available on microfilm, in PDF files, or print outs made from microfilm in the repository. Please contact the Special Collections Research Center for more information.

  

Fifty-two of the fifty-five ledgers in Series 1 were indexed through a collaborative project between the Philadelphia Jewish Archives Center and the Jewish Genealogical Society of Greater Philadelphia. These indexes are made available via searchable databases through the genealogical websites jewishgen.org and ancestry.com.

 

A record for this collection is available in Temple University’s online library catalog: https://librarysearch.temple.edu/catalog/991036923205403811

 

Collection is open for research.  Some materials in Series 4, 5, and 10 and all materials in Series 6, 7, and 8 are restricted for a period of 75 years from the date of creation due to the presence of personally identifiable information, sensitive immigration files, and medical records. All board materials in Subseries 4.2, 10.1 and Series 11 are restricted for 25 years from date of creation. Some files in Series 10 and 11 are restricted for 25 years due to the presence of salary information and staff resumes. Restrictions, where applicable, are noted at the series, box, or file level.

 

This collection may be housed off-site at the Library Depository, and require up to two business days to retrieve. Please review the finding aid and be prepared to identify specific materials to be retrieved. Contact the Special Collections Research Center in advance of your visit, so that materials may be relocated to the reading room for research. 

 

Original audiovisual materials, as well as preservation and duplicating masters, may not be played. Researchers must consult use copies, or if none exist must pay for a use copy. Certain digital files may also be inaccessible. Please contact the Special Collections Research Center for more information.

 

Additions to this collection are expected. Websites are captured using Archive-It periodically, and the latest additions may not yet be included in this finding aid. For information on material–physical and digital, including captured websites–that may have been added since the last finding aid update, please contact the Special Collections Research Center.

 

The HIAS Pennsylvania Records are the physical property of the Special Collections Research Center, Temple University Libraries.  The creator has not assigned their rights to Temple University Libraries.  Other creators’ intellectual property rights, including copyright, belong to them or their legal heirs and assigns. Researchers are responsible for determining the identity of rights holders and obtaining their permission for publication and for other purposes where stated.

 

[Description and date of item], [Box/folder number], HIAS Pennsylvania Records, SCRC 94, Special Collections Research Center, Temple University Libraries, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. 

 

Maxwell Whiteman Collection of Louis Edward Levy Family Papers, SCRC 228, Special Collections Research Center, Temple University Libraries, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

 

Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia Records, Special Collections Researcher Center, Temple University Libraries, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

 

HIAS Archive, RG 245, YIVO Archives, YIVO Institute for Jewish Research, New York, New York.

 

Boston Immigrant Aid Society Collection, I-96, American Jewish Historical Society, New York, New York, and Boston, Massachusetts.

 

 

 

Donated by HIAS Pennsylvania in 1985, 1996, 1998, 2000, 2018 and 2019. A portion of the collection previously administered by the Philadelphia Jewish Archives Center, acquired by Temple in June 2009.

 

Collection processed and finding aid prepared in March 2015 by Jenna Marrone, Project Archivist. Initial processing completed by Philadelphia Jewish Archives Center staff. Series 10: Accession 2018-5 minimally processed and finding aid revised in May 2018 by Maya Levy, Student Intern, and Jessica M. Lydon, Associate Archivist. All original boxes from addition to collection were replaced, loose materials placed in folders, and folders in poor condition replaced.  Although minimal preservation and organization at the folder level was completed, records were reviewed more thoroughly for any personally identifying or other information requiring restrictions. Series 11: Accession 2019-35 minimally processed and finding aid revised in January 2020 by Jessica M. Lydon, Associate Archivist. Loose materials placed in folders and folders in poor condition replaced. 

 

 

 

The following headings have been used to index the description of this collection in Temple University’s electronic catalog:

 

Association of Jewish Immigrants (Philadelphia, Pa.)

Association for the Protection of Jewish Immigrants (Philadelphia, Pa.)

Colonial Trust Company (Philadelphia, Pa.)

Hebrew Sheltering and Immigrant Aid Society of America

HIAS (Agency)

HIAS and Council Migration Service (Philadelphia, Pa.)

HIAS Pennsylvania

Lipshutz & Wurzel (Philadelphia, Pa.)

M.L. Blitzstein and Co. (Philadelphia, Pa.)

M. Rosenbaum and Co. (Philadelphia, Pa.)

National Council of Jewish Women

National Council of Jewish Women. Philadelphia Section. Bureau of Service for Foreign Born

Pennsylvania Company for Banking and Trusts

Pennsylvania Company for Insurances on Lives and Granting Annuities

People’s Bank (Philadelphia, Pa.)

People’s Bank and Trust (Philadelphia, Pa.)

Rosenbluth Brothers (Philadelphia, Pa.)

 

Citizenship -- United States

Emigration and immigration law -- United States

Emigration and immigration -- Psychological aspects

Emigration and immigration -- Religious aspects -- Judaism

Emigration and immigration -- Social aspects

Immigrant families -- Services for -- United States

Immigrants -- United States

Jewish refugees

Jews -- Migrations

Jews – Pennsylvania -- Philadelphia

Naturalization -- United States

Political refugees

Refugees -- Cambodia

Refugees -- United States

Refugees -- Vietnam

World War, 1939-1945 -- Refugees

 

Philadelphia (Pa.)

United States -- Emigration and immigration

 

Administrative records

Articles of incorporation

Audiocassettes

Born digital

Bylaws (administrative records)

Case files

Charters

Compact discs 

Correspondence

Financial records

Floppy disks

Immigration records

Ledgers (account books)

Legal documents

Logs 

Mailing lists 

Marriage certificates

Manuscripts

Membership lists

Microfilms

Minutes

Newsletters

Pamphlets

Photocopies

Photographs

Press releases

Reports

Slides

Sound recordings

Speeches

Web sites

 

 

Collection Summary

Series 10: Accession 2018-5 (Portions restricted), 1930-2017