Miriam’s blog

Mirjam and Heinrich (29-Jan-2020)

Heinrich was born in Duisburg, on October 10th, 1922. Both his parents were Polish. We know very little about Heinrich. His last address in Germany was Universitätsstraße 32 in Duisburg. He lived there with his parents. It is unknown when exactly Heinrich arrived in the…

New site and Westerbork name reading (22-Jan-2020)

Three weeks ago, we re-launched the re-built site. We did not have the site rebuilt because we were bored, but because the platform that the old site was built on is going to be discontinued. We were happy to have found Jeroen Bakker who did…

Claims Conference (4-Jan-2019)

As some of you have perhaps heard, last December, the Claims Conference organization has reached an agreement with the German government about a one-time payment for refugee children from the Third Reich. Although the Claims Conference organization only mentions Kindertransports to England it seems that…

Back at work (13-Jan-2017)

Due to personal circumstances I have not been able to devote as much time to my research project the last year and a half as I would have liked. Of course I never stopped. I get enquires through the website on a regular basis….

Not forgotten! (24-Jun-2015)

Tuesday, June 23, 2015: Not forgotten Today I received the book Lilian Weinberg Osmo wrote about her uncle Gerd Weinberg. I am incredibly happy that she wrote this book. I wish a book like this could be written about every refugee child. Especially about the…

Tangent (22-Jan-2015)

Some weeks ago I met Gert Weinberg’s family members (sister-in-law and nieces) from Brazil. It was a very special and emotional meeting. They were so happy that the Dokin site enabled them to learn more about the years Gert spent in this country, the homes…

Worthwhile (8-Jun-2015)

I would like to share an e-mail I received two weeks ago. Reactions like this are what makes it all so worthwhile for me…. Dear Miriam, I’m so excited that I found your link. I was so small, three and a half when I left…

Reading names in Westerbork (30-Jan-2015)

Last Monday I went to Westerbork to participate in the “Reading the 102.000 Names” project. Since then, people have asked me, “How was it?” As much as I would like to give a short answer to that question, I can’t. I was fortunate I did…

Hajo (4-Sep-2014)

It was with some hesitation that I contacted Hajo Meyer in the summer of 2008. I had just started my research, and someone told me I should talk to Hajo because he had such a good memory. My hesitation was due to Hajo’s political views,…

Andere Tijden (tv program) (26-Apr-2014)

Last Thursday “Andere Tijden” was broadcast. I thought it was well made, and it gave a little bit of insight into the story of the refugee children, but it was way and way too short. Yael Koren, who made the documentary, is discontented with the…

In Zwolle for Emilie Strauss (8-Apr-2014)

Yesterday I was in Zwolle at the unveiling of the Stolpersteinen. It was a beautiful day, very emotional at times. Here’s a picture of me “unveiling” Emilie’s stone. And here’s a link to a site: Stolpersteinen Zwolle I just heard that the item in “Een Vandaag”…

Andere Tijden (3-Apr-2014)

Andere Tijden (“Different Times”) is really happening. They have finally decided to interview three “Kinder” – all of them living in the Netherlands, and have asked me to collaborate so I can shed light on the bigger lines in the story. They have just started…

Radio documentary (19-Mar-2014)

Radio documentary!!! I just heard that the radio documentary will be broadcast on March 30th, at 19.02 on Radio 5 by the Joodse Omroep. It will be in Dutch…. Unfortunately it will only be 10 minutes.

Nijmegen (17-Mar-2014)

The Dutch media are continuing to show a big interest into the refugee children in the Netherlands. It seems that everyone is as surprised as I was 6 years ago that such a big and interesting subject has never been researched. Last week I went…

Radio 1 (13-Feb-2014)

This morning I was the guest in “Het gesprek” on Dutch National Radio 1 (the news and sports channel). It was a pleasure to talk to Jurgen van den Berg and Ghislaine Plag about the refugee children, even though 10 minutes is about 10 hours…

McClatchy article (12-Feb-2014)

The article that Tracy wrote has been published online and in local newspapers around the US, even around the world. Many people have visited the site, and many people have reacted. All positive and encouraging reactions. After 6 years of working mostly on my own…

Response to the site (30-Jan-2014)

After another article by Paul Arnoldussen in the (Amsterdam-based) Dutch newspaper Het Parool, I received a generous response to the new site. Amongst others, from a woman whose two cousins came to this country by Kindertransport. She was happy with the documents I had found…

Launch of site (13-Jan-2014)

Yesterday I notified about 300 people by mail about the launch of the site. The response has been overwhelming! Within minutes I started receiving the first replies. Many people complimented the site, some gave me corrections and others provided additions. One child whose fate I…

New site (11-Jan-2014)

How time flies…. Today I can proudly announce that the new site is finished! I can now share much of the information I have gathered in the last 6 years with everyone interested. Along with personal details on each child including information on siblings, cousins,…

Israel (8-Sep-2011)

After coming back from the US, I heard from many people that they had read my blog. I apologize for not having added anything there since then. That is not because there was nothing to blog, but more because I have been rather busy. A…

Boston (13-May-2011)

After settling into my hotel room (I am so getting used to that by now) I try to set up my Boston appointments, with success. Once that is done I drive over to a mall and shop around a little, not because I want to…

NYC and Albany (11-May-2011)

Saturday morning I want to visit the Metropolitan Museum before my interview with George Tscherny, but they are unwilling to guard all my electronic equipment in the cloakroom, so I end up walking around on the upper East side. At noon I meet George and…

NYC (7-May-2011)

Wednesday morning I leave right on time to drive to Manhattan! It should take me 15 minutes, but there’s heavy traffic, so it takes me almost an hour. I drop off the car and my luggage and have lunch with Rolf Ohlhausen and Suzanne Davis…

New Jersey and West Point (4-May-2011)

Monday afternoon I meet Alfred. After a nice lunch we sit down for the interview. Alfred came to the Netherlands with his two sisters, and was on the point of being taken to Westerbork when he became ill. He was taken to the hospital, from…

Long Island (2-May-2011)

Friday morning I pack up once again, and catch a flight to la Guardia, NY. I am coming down with a cold! From the airport I drive to Woodbury on Long Island and go straight to Ruth Amster Meador. She is one of the group…

Chicago and Cincinnati (28-Apr-2011)

So far, so good. On Tuesday I flew from Amsterdam to Chicago on a very uneventful KLM flight. Despite a mask on my eyes and seatbelt over my blanket they kept waking me up for meals and I do not know what else. Nevertheless I…

First site (21-Apr-2011)

After announcing the launching of the Dokin website by email last Sunday, many reactions came in. All of them positive. To the number of you who expected more, let me just say: so do I! I just need more time. Currently I am writing a…

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