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Artifcts \ Articles \ CONVERSATIONS \ Suitcases in the Attic Preserved One Family’s Holocaust History

CONVERSATIONS, GENEALOGY & FAMILY HISTORY

Suitcases in the Attic Preserved One Family’s Holocaust History

Ellen Goodwin, Artifcts

January 27, 2025

Today is International Holocaust Remembrance Day, the anniversary of the liberation of the Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp. Through the artifacts and stories carefully preserved and shared, we can connect with our shared history and bring forward its lessons to a new generation. We hope you find inspiration in this story, the spoken and unspoken history of a family that has now been brought into the light. We extend our deep gratitude to Deborah for sharing her story.

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Meet Deborah.

Deborah grew up Jewish, the kind of Jewish that enjoyed matzah but also celebrated Christmas with other kids in her Connecticut neighborhood. Being Jewish, she felt different, special, “even if I didn’t know what being Jewish meant.”

While Deborah knew vaguely of her family’s migration from Austria to the United States during World War II, she knew little of the details that completely relandscaped her family’s lives.

Fast forward many years to 2003 when Deborah asked her mother about family documentation that might exist to support reparation claims for those who had property stolen as the Nazis swept across Europe. “My Mom said, ‘Good luck with that,’ and pointed up, to the attic, ‘Everything’s up there. Suitcases full. Take it.'"

Sure enough, Deborah’s great grandfather, her mother’s paternal family, had squirreled away a plethora of ephemera to document his original Vienna-based hat business, along with letters and other materials of their life. Everything they had departed Vienna for the US with, was all that remained. The rest? The rest was in secure storage at a port in Italy, destined for a ship to the US, and stolen when the Germans overtook the port.

“It turns out, my mother’s maternal family, having left for the US a few years earlier arrived with practically all of their household items. We’re talking everything down to their 12-piece fine porcelain dinner service.” But of course, they lived in a small apartment in New York and had no need for most of the items. It all sat in storage for decades, wrapped securely in the same 1938 newspaper it shipped over to the US in.

Following are snippets from our co-founder Ellen’s conversation with Deborah in honor of today’s International Holocaust Remembrance Day. We’re sharing some of the spirit and content behind her discoveries into her own family history and the holocaust. Her Artifcted collection of family artifacts and her book Nothing Really Bad Will Happen provide you, the curious, with so much more historical color and context. We encourage you to explore and take in the themes of resilience, legacy, and survivorship.

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Ellen Goodwin: Where did all these family artifacts come from? You have a hat designed by your great grandfather, a vast collection of mementos and ephemera. Who was keeping them all this time? How has it been preserved?

Deborah Holman: Well, one part of my family lost everything, and the other saved it all.

My mothers’ father’s family essentially lost everything. They moved it into a storage container in Italy in 1941 to ship to the US once they got here. But when the Germans captured the port, everything they owned was stolen. They arrived with a suitcase and 5 bucks. The only reason I have one of the hats from my great grandfather’s hat factory in Vienna is I was able to find one on eBay!

My mother’s maternal family left earlier, in 1938, and they kept everything. They dragged all of it from Vienna and deposited it in the storage area of their apartment building. It sat there until it migrated into my mother’s attic, wrapped, unused, and never spoken of.

cabinet with china from Vienna offwhite plate in cabinet

Goodwin: But your great grandfather’s documents, they were an exception. They made the trip with him to the US, right?

Holman: Yes, exactly. When they confiscated his hat factory, he began immediately to try and get it back. He saved every document, every letter for reparation claims. It was a whole additional suitcase in my mother’s attic I never knew about.

Goodwin: You never knew. You mean your mother never discussed it?

Holman: Never. My mom was six when she fled here with her mother and grandmother. All she ever said were things like, “I could have been a princess,” and “Maybe I could have had a sibling,” or “We had money, and then we had nothing.” I knew her father had spent 10 months in two concentration camps, my grandmother had all the letters he sent every two weeks, but that’s it.

My daughter was the only one to ever open a small crack into my family’s holocaust history when she interviewed my mother for a school project in the late 90s. I don’t know how accurate the memories were, but my mother shared more than I had heard before. And then that was it, “There’s no point in talking about it anymore,” were my mother’s final words on it.

Goodwin: When going through large collections like these you expect to find certain things: passports, travel papers, letters, and the like. Did you find anything surprising?

Holman: As I was writing my book, I was feeling guilty about how I portrayed my great grandfather, the hat maker. He does not come across as a really good guy, so stern. And that’s where the title of the book, “Nothing Really Bad is Going to Happen,” came from. His view of what the Nazis were doing was akin to “this happens to Jews all the time.” He almost blew it, not getting out until ’41 because of his mindset.

And yet, one day out of the blue, my sister called to tell me she found his wallet in a box in her house. She has no idea how it came to be in her possession. And tucked in the back of the wallet was a newspaper article, written in German. I translated it and discovered it was essentially an advice column, advising against giving your children too much before you die because if you do, they won’t learn to be self-sufficient, and they’ll want you to die prematurely so they can get your stuff.

With that article, I realized, I portrayed him pretty accurately. Guilt gone!

Goodwin: And THAT is why I tell people the things we keep speak volumes about us, what we value, and even our aspirations.

So, you have all this now, and you know more about your family history. What will become of these physical artifacts?

Holman: We’ve agreed we want to donate items of broader interest to an institution where people will get to see it all up close, somewhere more intimate. There are some museums in NYC as well as the Center for Jewish History that we have in mind.

Goodwin: As we bring our conversation to a close, I’d like to circle back to where we began. You said as a child you didn’t know what being Jewish meant to you. What does being Jewish mean to you now after you’ve done all this family research?

Holman: Being Jewish means strength and resilience. It means “Good luck. Do what you want. We’re not going anywhere.”

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Let this be your call to action on this International Holocaust Remembrance Day. Let this family's artifacts of the past and the people and stories they represent remind us always to stand against hate and intolerance in all its forms. We are better than our past, always improving with the lessons of history as our guide.

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What's New at Artifcts

Rescue Mission: That's More Than a Photo! Artifct That.

Over the years, we've come to appreciate how even seemingly random photos can provide the spark connecting us to each other, to histories, to pasts unknown, if given the opportunity. The ice hiker shown above? Where was he? What was he doing? Where was he going? What became of him after his great adventure?

I bet we all have a photo like this. One that is black and white, maybe a little tattered around the edges. Maybe you found yours in a bin of old photos tucked away in a great Aunt's attic, or maybe yours was carefully, loving framed and had sat on top of Nana's piano for decades. Decades!

We've all heard the cliche that a photo is worth a thousand words, but we've yet to have a photo start telling us the who, what, when, where and why it was taken. The simple truth is photos can't talk. A researcher could find an explorers club to assist, trace the clothing, authenticate the age of the paper, maybe. But absent a family member or friend knowing his story, his details, he and his story could very well remain a mystery for future generations.

Our co-founder Heather was reminded of this not too long ago when trying to rather unsuccessfully piece together the (presumed) relatives from generations past in a series of family photos. It was a frustrating and in the end rather helpless task since no living members of her family could recall the details. The closest she got to an answer was "that might have been Great Nana B's sister...or cousin...or maybe just a friend." Yep, that was helpful!

In fact, if you've read Our Story, you've seen a black and white photo of woman who in some ways is the silent third founder of Artifcts.

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The photo grabs you. Who is she? What (or who) is she looking at that is making her smile? Who took the picture? When was this picture taken and where? Truth is, her end-of-life was the inspiration for Artifcts and our efforts to remove so much of the potential burden from our loved ones who are left to parse through our belongings, photos included, after we're gone. We built Artifcts to ensure that families everywhere can pass along memories, heritage, and legacy, and not just items. Her photo is no longer a mere photograph, but a history. You can read about that very photo's history here.

When you can, you should just ASK!

Here are two more photos that capture our interest in the same way, sparking the same questions. And, we wonder: If someone sold framed photos like this through an estate sale, consignment shop, or flea market, would they captivate a curious, anonymous buyer? They could just as easily fit into the decor of a modern home as one with a farmhouse chic decor or even a cozier older style.

Click the image to view the Artifct.

Our CTO, Matt, found these framed portraits buried in a collection of old photographs his mother had kept in her house. Thankfully she had already Artifcted them and Matt was able to know not only who the photos were of (his great grandmother!), but also when they were taken. Absent his mother taking the time to Artifct the photos and the details, that part of their family history would have been easily forgotten, and quite possibly discarded or donated.

Look around your house. Would the next generation know who is in the framed photos you have on display? Would they know WHY they are on display? Why they matter to you and your family? Chances are, probably not.

Take a moment today to capture that history before it slips away. Not sure where to start or what questions to ask? Download a copy of our free Rescue Those Photos! checklist to help you get started.

Artifct a few choice photos—your favorites, the most outrageous, or maybe the ones that make you go, "Hmmm." You can easily share your Artifcts with friends and family to meaningfully connect and reconnect over (nearly!) lost pasts and new stories shared for more "I never knew that about you!" moments now and into the future.

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If you are interested in photo and/or video digitization services, our Partners at The Photo Managers can help! Our Artifcts Team is proud to be a sponsor of The Photo Managers Conference this year in Boston.

Attending the Conference? Stop by our Artifcts booth and say hello to the team! We're happy to show you how Artifcts can help bring your photos, stories, and memories to life.

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April 08, 2026

TIPS & TRICKS, PHOTOS, DOCS & OTHER MEDIA

Gone in a Woof: The Tragic Tale of Mr. Moose

Dear Reader,

Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Sasso Piatto, destroyer of stuffies and Chief Happiness Officer here at Artifcts. I haven’t got much time as my Mum has stepped away from her laptop, and I know she’ll be back soon.

Today’s topic? The importance of Artifcting ALL your life’s keepsakes because you never know what will happen next. Case in point, my cherished Mr. Moose.

Mr. Moose was the love of my life (second only to bacon). We had been through thick and thin together. Mr. Moose was always up for adventures—mud puddle hopping, snow pile digging, and zoomies in the front yard. He was my constant companion, my snuggle buddy, and my best friend.

And then, just yesterday, an unthinkable thing happened. My Mum got rid of Mr. Moose. One moment I was admiring my handy-work (who knew Mr. Moose had so much stuffing?) and then, gone! Into the trash. How could she?!

Sure, he was well-loved (who doesn’t love a plush moose with squeaky antlers), but that doesn’t mean that it was time for him to go. My Mum claimed the stuffing was falling out of him (I think she needs new glasses) and that the squeaker was a choking hazard. As if! I swallow Milk Bones whole! Choking hazard, it was not.

And the worst part is that she didn’t even pause long enough to let me ARTIFCT him. Not one photo. Not one solemn moment to stop and reflect on all the love and joy Mr. Moose has brought me over the years. Of all the people, of all the deeds. How could my Mum, the founder of Artifcts, TOSS MR. MOOSE OUT before I got to Artifct him?

I beg you Dear Reader to take a moment today and Artifct That! It could be a favorite photo, a cherished piece of kid's art, or for the love of all, a favorite toy. If you’re planning to declutter this spring (hello spring cleaning!) take a moment to Artifct those treasures before you (OR YOUR MUM) toss them out.

Speaking of spring cleaning, I heard my Mum mumble something about re-homing the Everest sized pile of sticks I’ve accumulated outside the front door. For those of you not in the know, I’ve learned that “re-homing” really means removing. I’ve got to go! Time to Artifct my favorite sticks before they too disappear.

Yours Truly,

Sasso Piatto

PS. Happy April Fool’s Day! We hope today’s ARTIcles story from Sasso made you smile. You can click here to view all of Sasso’s Artifcts (written in his voice of course!).

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April 01, 2026

FEATURED

The 1996 Nostalgia Trend: How to Save Your Memories for Future Generations

Where were you in 1996? Take a moment and really think about it.

Where were you living? What filled your days? What music was on repeat, and what did your favorite outfit look like? Maybe you were heading off to school in flannel and Doc Martens, building a career in your first real job, or chasing toddlers around the house. Maybe 1996 was loud and exciting—or quiet and uncertain. Either way, it was yours.

Lately, there’s been a surge of nostalgia inviting us to revisit that specific year. But the truth is, it’s not really about 1996. It’s about something much bigger.

It’s Not Just 1996—It’s Any Year

Pick a year. Any year. 1996. 2006. 2016. Last summer.

Every single one holds a version of you that no longer exists—someone shaped by the people, places, and moments of that time. And tucked inside those years are vivid snapshots: the song that instantly transports you back in time, the hat you wore until it fell apart, the photo you’ve kept in a drawer for decades.

We all have these anchors, the objects and memories that pull us back to “way back when.” A concert t-shirt isn’t just a shirt. It’s the night you sang every word with your friends, the feeling of freedom, the version of yourself that felt invincible.

A certificate, a ticket stub, a handwritten note—these aren’t just things. They’re evidence of a life fully lived, in moments both big and small.

The Small Moments Matter More Than You Think

It’s easy to assume that only major milestones deserve to be remembered—graduations, weddings, promotions. But what about everything in between?

Our co-founder Heather recently came across a stash of photos from her high school days and her daughter was in awe. The clothes! The hair! The concerts! Heather had forgotten how she had spent the summer of '96 working two jobs and attending every Phish concert within driving distance of her childhood home. Funny, because that's just what her daughter wants to do this summer.

Our co-Founder Heather & her friends tailgating before a Phish concert. Click the iamge to view the Artifct.

The everyday moments are often the ones that define us most:

The summer you spent making friendship bracelets at camp
The first apartment that barely had furniture but felt like independence
The hobby you picked up on a whim that turned into a lifelong passion
The concert t-shirt you wore so often it became part of your identity

These moments may feel small at the time, but they’re rich with meaning. And over time, they become the stories we wish we had captured more fully. Because memory fades. Details blur. And eventually, even the most vivid experiences can become harder to recall.

Why Capturing Your Story Matters

The people who come after us—our kids, grandkids, and beyond—don’t automatically know who we were. They might know the broad strokes. Where we lived. What we did for work. Maybe a few stories that get told again and again. But they don’t know what it felt like to be you in 1996. Or 1976. Or 2016.

They don’t know what made you laugh, what you worried about, or what you dreamed of, unless you tell them.

How to Turn Memories Into Artifcts

That’s where Artifcting comes in. Artifcting is the act of preserving not just your objects, but the stories behind them—so they can live on far beyond your memory. Looking for an easy way to get started?

Start with What You Already Have

Look around your home. Open a drawer, a closet, or an old box in the attic. Find something that instantly takes you back:

A photo from the ‘90s
A concert t-shirt (Fun fact! Our Advisory Board Member Matt Paxton recently spent an afternoon with his teenage son Artifcting his vintage concert t-shirts from the 90s.)
A piece of jewelry
A letter or postcard

If it sparks a memory, it’s worth preserving.

Capture the Story, Not Just the Object

Ask yourself:

Where did this come from?
Why did it matter to me?
What was happening in my life at the time?
Who was I then?

The object is just the entry point—the story is what gives it meaning.

The object is just the entry point—the story is what gives it meaning

Add Context That Only You Can Provide

This is the part no one else can recreate, especially the most well-intentioned AI-apps that promise to tell you your story. (Naturally, we have our doubts about that.)

Describe the details:

What you were wearing?
Who you were with?
What the world felt like at that moment?

These personal insights transform a simple item into a living memory.

Preserve It Digitally

Open the Artifcts App and upload your photo or a photo of your item and pair it with your story. Now it’s not just stored—it’s documented, searchable, and shareable with the people who matter most. Bonus! Add audio or video too for greater context and details that only you can provide.

Share It Across Generations

Invite your family into the experience by privately sharing the Artifct with them. Your stories become a bridge—connecting generations through shared history, personal insight, and emotional truth.

Your Story Is Still Unfolding

Thinking back to 1996 might feel like a fun exercise in nostalgia. But it’s also a reminder: the life you’re living right now will one day be “way back then,” too.

What from today will you wish you had captured?

The coffee mug you use every morning
The playlist that defines this season of your life
The photo sitting unnoticed on your phone

These are tomorrow’s Artifcts just waiting to be captured today. You don’t need a milestone. You don’t need a perfect story. You just need a moment—and the willingness to preserve it.

So ask yourself again: Where were you in 1996? Then take the next step. Capture it. Tell it. Artifct it. Because your story deserves to be remembered—not just by you, but by everyone who comes after.

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You might also enjoy reading these related ARTIcles:

Photos + Timelines Go Better Together

How to Artifct That Photo

How to Artifct That Heirloom

March 25, 2026

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