Bill of Passage

A “Contratto per Biglietto di Passaggio/Contract for Passage Ticket” from Genova to Shanghai for the Gottfried family: Leopold, Gerda, Lori, Manfred, and Chaje. They traveled on the Conte Biancamano ship sailing on 26 January 1939 at 3pm. A typewritten note reads “i figli Gerda e Lori Gottfried sono isoritti nel passaporto del padre Leopold Gottfried.” The document was signed in Vienna on 17 January 1939.

Bill of passage for Leopold Gottfried and his family from Genova to Shanghai.

Leopold Gottfried made many attempts to find a country that would accept his family as refugees. Finally, he obtained this bill of passage for his family to travel by ship from Genoa, Italy to Shanghai, China. At that time, Shanghai was one of the few places in the world that did not require an entry visa. Shanghai provided a safe haven for 17,000 Jews who fled the Nazi regime before the Second World War. In August 1939, Shanghai imposed an entry visa requirement, shutting its doors to further Jewish immigration.

Donated to the Vancouver Holocaust Education Centre by the Gottfried family. RA001-01-01-03-0436

Transcript

[A partial translation from the original Italian.]

LLOYD TRIESTINO

CONTRACT FOR PASSAGE TICKET
From: Genova to Shanghai
Vessel: “Conte Biancamano”
Line No. 163
Sailing: 26 June 1939, 3 o’clock
Cabin: 58, 62 Berth: A,B,C,D

Names of passengers:
GOTTFRIED, Leopold
GOTTFRIED, Gerda
GOTTFRIED, Lori
GOTTFRIED, Manfred
GOTTFRIED, Chaje

Remarks: The children Gerda and Lori Gottfried are registered on the passport of their father Leopold Gottfried.

Bill of Passage

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