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 (229)
Mass removal ("evacuation") (666)
Preparation (365)

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365 items

doc Japanese Evacuation-Policy and Perspectives (ddr-csujad-19-55)

This is an article from the magazine "Common Ground," summer 1942, by Carey McWilliams which discusses the policy for the "evacuation and resettlement" of virtually the entire Japanese population on the West Coast. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: WRA_02-11-01

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-19-55/

doc George Naohara's handwritten annotations (ddr-csujad-38-2)

English translations of handwritten annotations from "George Naohara photo album" (csudh_nao_0001), page 4: [Left] Several meetings were held in Little Tokyo, Los Angeles, California, prior to moving to the Manzanar incarceration camp in California. I attended those meetings. What was announced was that all Japanese Americans residing in California and the West Coast should move to …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-38-2/

doc Letter from Kumaji Meguro to Fumio Fred and Yoneko Takano, July 21, 1942, English translation (ddr-csujad-42-57)

English translation of the letter: csudh_tak_0056. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: tak_01_30_001_eng

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-42-57/

doc Power of attorney: general (ddr-csujad-42-23)

A general power of attorney form created prior to Fumio Fred Takano's incarceration. It appoints Florence Packer as his attorney and allows her to have control to make financial decisions on his behalf during his incarceration. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: tak_01_15_001

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-42-23/

doc Letter from Fumio Fred Takano to Florence Packer, March 30, 1942 (ddr-csujad-42-43)

A letter from Fumio Fred Takano to Florence Packer, who is appointed by him as an attorney. He asks her to manage his real property, renting it out and paying all expenses, including mortgage payments, taxes, and repairs, by the collected rents. The letter was written prior to his incarceration. The power of attorney form appointing …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-42-43/

doc Letter from Kumaji Meguro to Fumio Fred and Yoneko Takano, July 21, 1942 (ddr-csujad-42-56)

A letter from Kumaji Meguro in the Pomona Assembly Center to his son-in-law and daughter, Fumio Fred and Yoneko Takano in the Santa Anita Assembly Center. The letter describes the lives and living conditions in the assembly center, including the allowance and wages, entertainments, etc. Kumaji details his daily routine and expresses his appreciation for the …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-42-56/

Letter from Fred C. Bold, Assistant Manager, Los Angeles Branch, Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco, to Mr. Fumio Takano, April 15, 1942 (ddr-csujad-42-87)

doc Letter from Fred C. Bold, Assistant Manager, Los Angeles Branch, Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco, to Mr. Fumio Takano, April 15, 1942 (ddr-csujad-42-87)

A letter from Fred C. Bold, Assistant Manager, Los Angeles Branch, Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco, to Fumio Takano in Los Angeles, California. The letter follows up the inquiry from Fumio Takano regarding his home mortgage and automobile loan. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: tak_01_42_001

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-42-87/

doc Bulletin, no. 2 (March 18, 1942): Instructions governing voluntary movement of Japanese from Los Angeles to Owens Valley (ddr-csujad-42-156)

An issue of "Bulletin" titled: Instructions governing voluntary movement of Japanese from Los Angeles to Owens Valley. It informs of details regarding the forced evacuation scheduled on March 23, 1942, including baggage to be taken, meals to be served, and travels by rail and motor convey. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-42-156/

doc Letter from Kumaji Meguro to Fumio Fred and Yoneko Takano, July 21, 194, typescript (ddr-csujad-42-58)

Japanese typescript of the letter: csudh_tak_0056. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: tak_01_30_001_jpn

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-42-58/

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/

doc Personal property form (ddr-csujad-46-29)

Personal property form, WCCA form FRB-2, including inventory checklist, to be submitted to Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: csus_nac_0029

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-46-29/

doc Letter from Ohashi to Jack Noda, March 20, 1942 (ddr-csujad-46-21)

Follow-up letter from Mr. Ohashi of the Stockton chapter of the Japanese American Citizens League to Jack Noda, president of the Stanislaus Merced chapter of the Japanese American Citizens League regarding the Stockton chapter's constitution and the mass removal preparation. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: csus_nac_0021

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-46-21/

doc Motor vehicle registration form, WCCA form FRB-4 (ddr-csujad-46-26)

Instructions and agreement for forced evacuees regarding disposition of motor vehicles, WCCA form FRB-4, from the Western Defense Command and Fourth Army Wartime Civil Control Administration, San Francisco, California. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: csus_nac_0026

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-46-26/

doc Letter from Tsuneo Iwata to members, March 29, 1942 (ddr-csujad-46-17)

Letter from Tsuneo Iwata, president of the Turlock Social Club to Turlock Social Club members in regards to mass removal preparation, Turlock Social Club meetings, and the status of the Social Hall. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: csus_nac_0017

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-46-17/

doc Letter from Tsuneo Iwata to Evacuee Property Department, March 31, 1942 (ddr-csujad-46-15)

Letter from Tsuneo Iwata to Evacuee Property Department concerning the status and leasing of the Japanese Social Hall in Turlock California. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: csus_nac_0015

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-46-15/

doc Letter from Harold Johnson to Tsuneo Iwata, April 16, 1942 (ddr-csujad-46-16)

Letter from Harold Johnson field representative of Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco to Tsuneo Iwata, president of the Turlock social Club, in regards to mass removal preparation. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: csus_nac_0016

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-46-16/

img Photograph of Clayton E. Triggs, WCCA Manzanar Camp Manager (ddr-csujad-47-33)

Photograph of Clayton E. Triggs taken at Manzanar Incarceration Camp. He is wearing a three-piece, dark, pinstripe suit standing on a dirt road out in the desert. He has a light cigar in his left hand and a hat in his right. In the background are two parked cars and a truck. Other men in suits …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-47-33/

img Picking the site (ddr-csujad-47-30)

Photograph of the Owens Valley Coordinating Committee picking the site for the Manzanar Incarceration Camp. From left to right: Wallace Howard (FBI), Rex Nicholson (WCCA), Col. McGill (U.S. Army), Ralph P. Merritt (Chairman, Owens Valley Coordinating Committee), Clayton E. Triggs (WCCA), and Col. Kelton (U.S. Army). Caption reads: Picking the site. Title from caption, which was …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-47-30/

img Waiting for the first arrivals (ddr-csujad-47-31)

Photograph taken at Manzanar incarceration camp of eleven men posing outdoors; three are crouching in the front row, with eight standing in the back. Five of the eight in the back row are wearing military uniforms, the remaining men are wearing suits and ties. Utility poles and two large tents can be seen in the background, …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-47-31/

img Reception committee (ddr-csujad-47-18)

Photograph of "the reception committee" for the first group of incarcerees arriving in a line of cars stretching in the distance. In the background the Alabama Hills are visible. In the foreground are several groups observing the arrival including military police. Caption reads: Reception committee, March 23, 1942. Title from caption, which was taken from the …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-47-18/

img Tatsumi Miyajima checks the belongings tied to the back of an automobile (ddr-csujad-52-44)

A man, wearing a hat and long trench coat, leans on the items tied to the back of an automobile with thick string. The caption printed along with the image in the Press-Telegram reads, "Tatsumi Miyajima makes last-minute check on his belonging before leaving for internment camp." See this object in the California State Universities Japanese …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-52-44/

doc Instructions to all persons of Japanese ancestry, C.E. Order 92 (ddr-csujad-55-1938)

Exclusion orders and evacuation instructions for persons of Japanese ancestry residing in Sacramento and Amador counties. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: sac_jaac_1941

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-55-1938/

doc Questions and answers for evacuees (ddr-csujad-55-349)

Question and answer booklet covering "preparing for relocation," "facilities at relocation centers," "work," "business matters," "health and medicine," and "departure from the relocation center." See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: sac_jaac_0351

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-55-349/

doc Bulletin (Florin Japanese American Citizens League), no. 5 (April 24, 1942) (ddr-csujad-55-2455)

Bulletin published by the Florin Chapter of the Japanese American Citizens' League. Covers reminder to local area farmers to settle farm affairs prior to forced removal and incarceration, car storage, warning from WCCA and sheriff's office, Red Cross contributions, medical treatments, and a family survey. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-55-2455/

doc Evacuation notes from Clifton E. Snelson, Director Mess & Lodging Division (ddr-csujad-55-120)

Procedures for incarcerees regarding disposition of apartment items prior to forced removal. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: sac_jaac_0122

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-55-120/