Preparation

On March 2, 1942, Public Proclamation No. 1 began to appear on telephone poles and buildings. This was the first official notice Japanese Americans had of their immediate removal from the West Coast. The notices stated that they had six or seven days to prepare, and were to take only what they could carry. They were not told where they would be taken. People rushed to sell or store, in one week, property and belongings acquired over a lifetime. Some families tucked their valuables away in their attic or basement and locked the door, hoping to return soon.

World War II (231)
Mass removal ("evacuation") (668)
Preparation (366)

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366 items

img Japanese American family preparing for the journey to the Pomona Assembly Center (ddr-densho-242-4)

Caption by Ike Hatchimonji: "May 1942 - El Monte, California - In front of family store. Hatchimonji family about to leave for the Pomona Assembly Center then the WRA camp at Heart Mountain, Wyoming. L-R: Tasuke Ike, Megumi Mike, Kumezo father, Nobue mother, and daughter Gloria, wearing the family ID tags."

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-242-4/

img Two teen boys (ddr-densho-242-9)

Caption by Ike Hatchimonji: "Ike and Mike on day of departure to a camp May 1942."

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-242-9/

doc Letter from Harry Konda to Yoshio Kakimoto (ddr-densho-491-10)

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-491-10/

doc Aliens Turn In 256 Contraband Articles (February 28, 1942) (ddr-densho-56-654)

The Seattle Daily Times, February 28, 1942, p. 3

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-56-654/

doc Letter from Nora Sakaki to Torie Yumagachi (ddr-densho-491-42)

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-491-42/

doc Washington Township JACL Bulletin No. 5 (ddr-densho-491-4)

Alien Registration

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-491-4/

doc Japanese Here Obey Military Curfew Orders (March 28, 1942) (ddr-densho-56-723)

The Seattle Daily Times, March 28, 1942, p. 1

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-56-723/

doc Whites Try to Buy Them Out at Low Price, Say Japanese (March 6, 1942) (ddr-densho-56-669)

The Seattle Daily Times, March 6, 1942, pp. 1, 12

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-56-669/

doc JACL document: Suggestions of Things to Take (ddr-densho-205-8)

This document was issued by the Yuba-Sutter-Butte-Colusa Chapter of the Japanese American Citizens League. It details suggested items to bring during mass removal.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-205-8/

doc Agreement regarding care of property during the war (ddr-densho-203-19)

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-203-19/

doc Sugar Hoards Found In B.C. Jap Homes (March 22, 1942) (ddr-densho-56-702)

The Seattle Daily Times, March 22, 1942, p. 5

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-56-702/

doc U.S. Custodianship to Guard Evacuated Aliens' Property (March 10, 1942) (ddr-densho-56-680)

The Seattle Daily Times, March 10, 1942, p. 1

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-56-680/

doc Japanese Good-Natured As They Register (April 26, 1942) (ddr-densho-56-772)

The Seattle Daily Times, April 26, 1942, p. 3

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-56-772/

doc Japanese Sells Store, Buys $13,500 Bonds (May 1, 1942) (ddr-densho-56-782)

The Seattle Daily Times, May 1, 1942, p. 8

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-56-782/

doc Japs Register While Working (March 12, 1942) (ddr-densho-56-686)

The Seattle Daily Times, March 12, 1942, p. 9

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-56-686/

doc U.S. Lists Jobs for Evacuees (April 3, 1942) (ddr-densho-56-743)

The Seattle Daily Times, April 3, 1942, p. 3

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-56-743/

doc California Japanese Warned to Report (April 26, 1942) (ddr-densho-56-775)

The Seattle Daily Times, April 26, 1942, p. 30

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-56-775/

doc Document from scrapbook page (ddr-densho-72-41)

Document titled "Pertinent Facts About Relocation Centers and Americans of Japanese Ancestry," from page of scrabook titled "Scrapbook: 1943-45."

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-72-41/

doc Mid-Columbia Bulletin Vol. VI (ddr-one-3-8)

Mid-Columbia Bulletin newsletter. Vol. VI, April 22, 1942. Written by the J.A.C.L. (Japanese American Citizens League). Covers preparations for the incarceration of the Japanese American community, including packing, property sales, personal documents (e.g. wills, letters of recommendations, etc.), financial concerns, and other information regarding the evacuation order. Includes a description about what life at the Assembly …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-one-3-8/

doc Letter to George Kida from Major E.A. Steuding (ddr-one-3-16)

Letter and envelope to George Kida from Major E. A. Steuding, the acting Provost Marshal for the State of the Oregon, informing George that his request for more information about the date of evacuation and the possibility of re-settlement in his letter written on May 19, 1942 could not be could not be answered by the …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-one-3-16/

doc Mid-Columbia Bulletin Vol. VII (ddr-one-3-9)

Mid-Columbia Bulletin newsletter. Vol. VII, April 30, 1942. First page in English, gives information about what the Assembly Centers are like and what items may be brought to the Center. Mentions the sale of rice and a typhoid inoculation clinic. The remaining 5 pages are in Japanese.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-one-3-9/

doc Letter to George Kida from John McEwen (ddr-one-3-15)

Letter and envelope addressed to George Kida from John McEwen, a lawyer with McEwen & Brooks law firm located in Goldendale, Washington. He sent George his deed from Mr. James Albert (Al) Johnson and George's will.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-one-3-15/

doc Letter to Teru Koyama from Dr. Keizaburo "Kei" Koyama (ddr-one-5-4)

Letter dated January 27, 1942, to Teru Koyama from her husband, Kei Koyama. In the letter Kei writes about receiving the packages mailed to him and advises that the money he sent is to settle business matters in Portland related to his dental office, and asks her not to lease it Dr. S. but to Dr. …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-one-5-4/

doc Envelope and letter to Dr. Keizaburo "Kei" Koyama from Teru Koyama (ddr-one-5-10)

Envelope addressed to Dr. Kei Koyama at Fort Missula from his wife, Teru Koyama, in Portland. Postmarked March 24, 1942. In the lower left corner is a "CENSORED" stamp. The enclosed letter, dated March 23, 1942, has the same stamp at the top of the page. Teru writes about receiving his last letter, which made everyone …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-one-5-10/

doc Instructions to evacuees regarding disposition of motor vehicles (ddr-csujad-46-28)

Motor Vehicle Registration Form and agreement, WCCA form FRB-3, for "evacuees" to deliver to the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: csus_nac_0028

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-46-28/