Print - The Canadian Jewish Heritage Network - Alex Dworkin Canadian Jewish Archives

Notes: Beige paper enveloppe with a 1934 red stamp with Hindenburg face on top right corner. Enveloppe addressed to Carl Cahn in Buchenwald concentration camp. Narrative: This letter was sent by Carl Cahn's wife, whil he was in buchenwald, advising him of the favorable answer from the Canadian government, allowing them to immigrate to Canada. William M. Birks, oldest son of Henry Birks used to buy jewelry and silver from the factory owned by Frank Cahn’s grandparents. The two families had known each other from before World War I. Frank’s grandmother asked Mr Birks for his help. The original plan was to send only Frank to Canada but after Karl (Frank’s father) was sent to Buchenwald, they sent an urgent cable to Mr. Birks, asking for his help for the entire family. Eventually, visas were issued in Hamburg by the Canadian Consul on January 23, 1939 for Karl, his wife Marie, their 3 sons Frank, Robert and Paul and Marie’s mother, Elise Leitschen. The permission to go to Canada made it possible Karl’s immediate release. The whole family arrived in Halifax on March 5, 1939.