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                      The American Red Cross
       Holocaust & War Victims Tracing & Information Center
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                                                   A JewishGen InfoFile

                                              
The American Red Cross Holocaust and War Victims Tracing Center
searches for close friends and relatives who have been separated due
to the Holocaust and its aftermath. In addition to tracing, the Center
provides documentation of internment/forced labor for reparations. The
Center accesses information found in archives throughout the world
through its partner Red Cross societies, the International Tracing 
Service, and Magen David Adom of Israel. The Center also routinely
searches through the U.S. Holocaust Museum.

Between September 1990 and December 2002, the Center processed over 
35,000 requests.  Results have been impressive: over 1,000 people found
alive and information on deportation/internment/death in more than half
of the cases. It can take anywhere from several months to several years
to  resolve a case depending upon the nature of the search. Since new 
documentation on the Holocaust is being continuously discovered,the 
Center may provide information on an inquiry that is 10 to 40 years 
old.

The Center searches for specific individuals only.  In order to trace
an individual, certain information is required: the person's first and 
last names, at least an approximate year of birth, at least the country
of birth, at least the country of last known residence (although a city
is extremely helpful), and the source, date, and place of last 
communication.

In order to initiate a search, persons residing in the U.S. should
contact the Emergency Services/International Services Department of 
their local American Red Cross chapter to obtain a tracing inquiry form.
Once completed and reviewed, the chapter will forward the request to
the Center in Baltimore.  The Center then initiates searches with the
appropriate Red Cross societies. Persons residing outside the U.S. 
should contact the Red Cross in their country.  

Please note that if you reside in the U.S., it is quicker and more 
efficient to initiate your case through the American Red Cross, rather
than writing directly to the International Tracing Service.  This is 
because the Center has developed an expedited process with the 
International Tracing Service.  Additionally, the Center can submit
your request to multiple Red Cross societies and to other resources on
your behalf.  Finally, please note that the ITS and other Red Cross
societies usually send their replies to direct inquiries from US
residents to the Center for delivery.  

For questions or problems please contact:

Linda Klein
Director
American Red Cross
Holocaust and War Victims Tracing Center
lklein@arc-cmc.org
(410)764-5311

Website: < http://www.redcross.org/services/intl/holotrace/ >

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[28Jan03, Reviewed and updated by Linda Klein, ARC HWVTC]
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Copyright 2003 JewishGen Inc.
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