Correspondence of Elise Steiner and other family papers, 1938-1940. The collection documents the day to day activities, hopes and aspirations of a Jewish family in Vienna on subjects including gratitude that at least one child was able to escape and moreover to continue with her education; efforts to find a place on the Kindertransport for Leo Steiner; news of the fate of other family members who had managed to emigrate to various countries and the takeover of the family business. Despite the increasing difficulties of life in Vienna exemplified by the occasional suicide of friends and the growing fear of being out on the streets, there is a sense that life has to go on. Mention is made of the celebration of Jewish festivals and of training for new occupations. Whilst the prospect of emigration recedes, the family continues to make preparations for a future departure by selling off possessions and studying English.

There are descriptive summaries of all the letters (in German). Other papers comprise a typescript copy of the family tree, a copy of typescript notes on Steiner family history and a copy of a photograph.

Papers of the Gross family, 1938-1945, documenting the experiences of an assimilated German Jewish family, some of whom managed to escape to safety and others who perished in the Holocaust. Comprising original correspondence between members of the family and friends before, during and after World War Two; personal papers such as certificates and photographs.

Papers of the Pottlitzer family, 1894-1968, including birth, marriage and death certificates; Deutsches Reich Kennkarte (identity card) for Margot Strauss (1194/7); reference from a former employer, where Margot worked as an editor/journalist, 10 Mar 1933 (1194/3); copy of a manuscript letter from Max Pottlitzer to the Polizeiamt, Schöneberg, Berlin, in which he registers the transfer of money and property to his mother, [as required by the recently enacted law relating to the registering of Jewish property], 22 Sep 1938 (1194/4).

Correspondence relating to the establishment of a guarantor for Gertrude Wellisch, an Austrian Jewish refugee, including letters between various agencies and the prospective guarantor, 1939.

Papers of Franz Mendelsohn, 1915-1936, primarily comprising copies of correspondence of a German Jew in London (Mendelsohn), with his wife and friends still in Germany around the time of his arrival in Great Britain, June 1934. Later correspondence (1936) shows evidence of his arrival in Cape Town, South Africa. There is additional evidence which suggests that Mendelsohn must have returned to Germany at some point as his departure with his wife and son is recorded in the 13 Aug 1940 issue of the Deutscher Reichsanzeiger und Preussischer Staatsanzeiger, Nr. 188.

Correspondence between the Far Eastern Jewish Central Information Bureau (DALJEWCIB) and individuals and other Jewish organisations detailing the experiences of German and Austrian Jewish émigrés in the Far East, 1938-1939. The personal accounts contain descriptions of the outward-bound voyage and of the climate and conditions in the host country, along with details on obtaining work and accommodation. Note that many of the letters are copies or extracts from originals. Some newsletters and newspapers are also included.

Correspondence and papers of the Leeds office of the Jewish Refugee Committee, 1938-1939, comprising letters from local businesses regarding the recruitment of trainees/ refugees and letters from family members and guardians.

Papers of Hilfsverein der Juden in Deutschland (Jewish Aid in Germany) comprising correspondence regarding emigration to Palestine, Shanghai and Kenya, 1936-1939, notably including a critical report by the French based Jewish Colonisation Association to the directors of HICEM, 1937 and a report on the activities of the Hilfsverein, 1936.

Mrs Ben Courts personal papers, 1938-1946, comprise correspondence mostly from friends and family members in Germany to Mrs Ben Courts 1938-1946, (629/1), much of this material is immediately pre war and relates to requests by unidentifiable individuals for sponsorship to settle in England; Central Office for Refugees Domestic Bureau printed material including terms and conditions and registration information, 1939 (629/2) and biographical notes on Mrs Ben Courts by her son Hugh Courts, [1938-1946] (629/3).

The papers of Siegfried Weiner, early 20th century, comprise a biographical account, written by his daughter; she describes life in Regensburg, Bavaria, the family's the difficulties following their emigration to Palestine, the war of independence and then their return to Regensburg.

Papers of Ferdinand Schwarz documenting, in part, the process of emigration from Germany to England in 1939, comprising correspondence from Ferdinand Schwarz and his father, Max Schwarz to Ella Courts on emigration procedures from Germany to England; copy of a letter from the Jüdische Beratungsstelle für Wirtschaftshilfe to Schwarz confirming that the latter will receive a permit from the German Jewish Aid Committee; application form from the German Jewish Aid Committee for persons desiring to leave Germany on political, racial or religious grounds and a stamp coupon.

Papers documenting the activities of organisations in Great Britain, involved in providing relief for Czech and Czech Jewish refugees during the Nazi era, 1943, comprising appeal by Czechoslovak Relief Action for donations to a fund to supply provisions to internees in Terezin, Oct 1943; pamphlet entitled 'Proposals for principles for the repatriation of deported Jews' published by the Relief Committee of Jews from Czechoslovakia, Oct 1943; transcript of speeches in aid of a celebration of the 25th anniversary of Czechoslovakia's independence by the Anglo-Palestine club and the National Council of Jews from Czechoslovakia, Nov 1943; report of a speech made by the president of the Czechoslovak Government in exile, regarding the restitution of illegally obtained property during the Nazi occupation, Oct 1943 and Ing. A. Frischer's report of a speech made by Frantiska Nemce, minister of economic renewal, Oct 1943.

Papers of the Beck family, including papers relating to their preparations for departure, including forms and correspondence regarding possessions of Beck family; draft inventories of possessions; correspondence of the Rudolf Beck removal company on the shipment of possessions to USA, [1939-1940]. Personal papers of Ferdinand Beck including school reports, references, doctors' certificates; and correspondence on naturalization, 1928-1965. Post war correspondence on property in Austria, mostly between a lawyer and Beck family members, 1949-1952.

Some correspondence, papers, and publications of Otto Loewi. The manuscript material is of a personal rather than a scientific nature and provides an important biographical source about Loewi's escape from Nazi Austria and his resettlement in the United States of America.

Papers of Professor Charles Alfred Fisher, 1954-1980, including lecture notes on South East Asia including the overseas Chinese, the Mekong River and his visit to Burma in 1974; Foreign Office Research Department paper entitled 'UK Interests in SE Asia', 1964; and six personal letters on academic subjects, 1954-1980.