This is the two-page ancestral questionnaire (Fragebogen) issued by the SS Race and Settlement Main Office (Rasse- und Siedlungshauptamt der SS, RuSHA) which had to be filled in by all members of the SS including, where applicable, their partners or wives. In this example, Michael Wittmann has filled out his details in ink with the document signed and dated on 20th November 1937.
In line with Himmler’s marriage order of 1931, one of these questionnaires would also have been completed by his future wife Hildegard Burmester when they were married in the early summer of 1944.
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Translation notes: Question titles are in bold, and all of the sections complete by Wittmann are in italics. The document has been divided into numbered sections for the translation.
Page One
[Title]
R. u. S. Questionnaire
(To be completed correspondingly by women)
[Questionnaire]
Section 1
Name and surname of SS member submitting the questionnaire for himself or his bride or wife: Michael Wittmann
Service Grade (Rank): St-Sturmmann (Staffel-Sturmmann). SS Number: [blank]
V. B. Number: [blank]
Section 2
Name (clearly written): Michael Wittmann
In the SS since: 1.11.1936. Service Grade (Rank): Staffel-Sturmmann. SS Branch: L.SS. A.H.
In the SA from[note 1] [blank] to [blank], in the HJ[note 2] from [blank] to [blank]
Section 3
Party Membership Number: [blank]. In SS: [checked]
Born: 22.4.1914 at Vogelthal. County: Oberpfalz
Land: Bavaria. Current age: 23. Confession: Catholic
Current Residence: Berlin-Lichterfelde. Apartment: Finkensteinallee 65
Job and Occupation: No occupation – SS man
On Public Support? [blank]
Change of job? [blank]
Vocational skills and certificates (e.g. Driving licence, Sports badges, sports awards: [blank]
Section 4
Nationality: German
Voluntary Work: [blank]
Section 5
Service in old Army: Troop [blank] from [blank] to [blank]
Freikorps [blank] from [blank] to [blank]
Reich Forces [blank] from [blank] to [blank]
Uniformed Police [blank] from [blank] to [blank]
New Armed Forces 10./I.R. 19[note 3] Freising 30.10.1934 from 30.10.1934 to 30.9.1936
Final Service Grade: Gefreiter[note 4]
Front Fighter: [blank] to [blank]; wounded [blank]
Orders and Honours incl. rescue medals: [blank]
Section 6
Personal status (single, widowed, divorced – since): single
Which religious denomination is the applicant? Catholic The future Bride (Wife)? [blank]
(As a denominational confession, every other God-faith confession is also considered, besides the conventional ones)
Is an ecclesiastical wedding planned for the ceremony? Yes / No [unanswered]
Did a church wedding take place besides the regular wedding ceremony? Yes / No [unanswered]
If applicable, which confessional form? [blank]
Has a marriage loan been applied for? Yes / No [unanswered]
With which authority (exact address)? [blank]
When was the application submitted? [blank]
Was the marriage loan approved? Yes / No [unanswered]
Will a marriage loan been applied for? Yes / No [unanswered]
With which authority (exact address)? [blank]
Notes
Note 1. Sturmabteilung (Storm Detachment, the original paramilitary wing of the NSDAP)
Note 2. Hitlerjugend (Hitler Youth)
Note 3. 10th Company, 19th Infantry Regiment
Note 4. Lance Corporal
Page Two
The second page of the questionnaire asks for the applicants family details, going back two generations. Note that the checking does not appear to have been particular thorough in Wittmann’s case, as most of the details about his grandparents have been left blank. Given the working culture at the time and in Nazi Germany in particular, there is no “occupation” section for female family members.
Section 1
Nr. 2 Name of Birth Father: Wittmann First name: Johann Jr.
Occupation: Factory worker Current age: 48 Age at death [blank]
Cause of death: [blank]
Illnesses: [blank]
Section 2
Nr. 3 Maiden Name of Mother: Lachermayer First name: Ursula
Current age: 51 Age at death [blank]
Cause of death: [blank]
Illnesses: [blank]
Section 3
Nr. 4 Name of Grandfather (father’s side): Wittmann First name: Johann
Occupation: Farmer Current age: [blank] Age at death [blank]
Cause of death: [blank]
Illnesses: [blank]
Section 4
Nr. 5 Maiden Name of Grandmother (father’s side): Graf First name: Katharina
Current age: [blank] Age at death [blank]
Cause of death: [blank]
Illnesses: [blank]
Section 5
Nr. 6 Name of Grandfather (mother’s side): Lachermayer First name: Josef
Occupation: Farmer Current age: [blank] Age at death [blank]
Cause of death: [blank]
Illnesses: [blank]
Section 6
Nr. 7 Maiden Name of Grandmother (mother’s side): Maier First name: Ursula
Current age: [blank] Age at death [blank]
Cause of death: [blank]
Illnesses: [blank]