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 (240)
Mass removal ("evacuation") (692)
Preparation (374)

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374 items

doc Letter from Emmy Sumida Ito to Chimata Sumida (ddr-densho-379-14)

Letter describes her happiness that Chimata, her father, gave his blessing for her marriage to Ken Ito, and the plans for their upcoming wedding.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-379-14/

doc Letter from Aiji Endo to Chimata Sumida (ddr-densho-379-15)

First letter from Aiji Endo to his father-in-law, Chimata Sumida, that explains what is going on about evacuation plans. He states that the Parker Dam War Relocation project, in which he had signed up as a draftsman was cancelled by the Army. He had planned to have the family join him, so instead the current plan …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-379-15/

doc Letter from Grace Sumida to Chimata Sumida (ddr-densho-379-4)

Letter written by Grace Sumida (representing his wife (Masako) and all their children to Chimata Sumida. In the letter, Grace Sumida describing activities, in particular liquidating the family appliance store, C. Sumida and Son.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-379-4/

doc Letter from Grace Sumida to Chimata Sumida (ddr-densho-379-7)

Letter describes the daily lives of her family and her siblings while awaiting evacuation notification. She congratulates her father for being elected to Councilman and his former employee, Yoshio Takashima for Mailman. She mentions Emmy was doing Y.W.C.A. advising. She also congratulates her father on his election as a Councilman, and Yoshio Takashima's election as mailman …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-379-7/

doc Letter from Grace Sumida to Chimata Sumida (ddr-densho-379-21)

Letter describes last minute packing and arrangements before their evacuation. It describes who is being evacuated with them on Thursday, and the evacuation dates of other friends.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-379-21/

doc Letter from Grace Sumida to Chimata Sumida (ddr-densho-379-19)

Letter mentions that life became a "series of apprehensions as to the future of all." She talks about friends who moved to Denver on their own and how they are doing. In the letter, Grace congratulated her father as to his election to the office of Assistant Mayor of Ft. Missoula Detention Center.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-379-19/

doc Letter from Alice Sumida Endo to Chimata Sumida (ddr-densho-379-18)

Letter mentions that they found tenants for the house with a rental fee of $32.50/month. She describes their life waiting for evacuation. She states that the Japanese community already has committees working on rehabilitation after the war.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-379-18/

doc Letter from Emmy Sumida Ito to Chimata Sumida (ddr-densho-379-6)

First letter from Emmy Sumida to her father Chimata Sumida describing status of a few Japanese businesses in Los Angeles including the reorganization of Sun Produce, where her future husband. Ken Ito, was named a manager. She also mentions air raids along the western coast of California.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-379-6/

doc Letter from Emmy Sumida Ito to Chimata Sumida (ddr-densho-379-17)

Emmy Ito's first letter after her marriage to Ken Ito to her father, Chimata Sumida, talks about plans and packing to go to Santa Anita Assembly Center very soon.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-379-17/

doc Letter from Grace Sumida to Chimata Sumida (ddr-densho-379-13)

Letter describes Little Tokyo as a "ghost town", with the majority of stores closed, and the produce houses either closed or sold. She is the only one in the immediate family that is still working, and describes current evacuation news of friends. Also mentions that Emmy was marrying Ken Ito on Saturday. Expressed sadness of the …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-379-13/

doc Letter from Alice Sumida Endo to Chimata Sumida (ddr-densho-379-9)

Letter mentions that she was sending formal studio pictures taken of son, Todd, because their personal cameras were "impounded." She describes the difficulties and uncertainties that people are enduring while waiting for evacuation orders.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-379-9/

doc Letter from Grace Sumida to Chimata Sumida (ddr-densho-379-11)

Letter mentions that the first "contingent" of evacuees were leaving on Monday, and the letter provides information about evacuation plans of their families, as well, as relatives and friends. The Sumida family is scheduled after that. The family decided to adhere to evacuation orders since they didn't have enough money to relocate on their own. She …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-379-11/

doc Sachi Fudenna Recalls the Washington Township and Tanforan during World War II (ddr-ajah-6-404)

Document with biographical information for Sachiko Kamiji Fudenna, transcription of interview and clipping

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-ajah-6-404/

doc Scrapbook of newspaper clipping (ddr-densho-483-100)

Loose scrapbook pages containing newspaper and magazine clipping, a press release, and a speech transcript. Selected article titles: Seattle Post-Intelligencer: "Seattle Japs return home" (p. 1), "The National Director speaks to residents" (p. 2), "237 Bainbridge Japs leave, head south" (p. 3), "No refunds for japs, says city" (p. 4), "Sad farewells while troops stand by" …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-483-100/

doc "Evacuation - American Style" (ddr-densho-423-158)

Reprinted from Journal of Social Work reviewing the progress and problems of the early stages of evacuation, "Property of M. Nozawa" written inside front cover.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-423-158/

doc Kaneji Domoto Diary, 1942 (ddr-densho-329-950)

Kaneji's diary from March 6, 1942 - October 7, 1942, spanning the Domoto family's time from being at home in California to about a month after arrival at Amache. Early pages of the diary resemble a notebook loosely structured by date and containing a mixture of daily activities, accounting, notes from work at the nursery, and, …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-329-950/

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/

doc Identification tag (ddr-csujad-55-163)

Baggage tag for Masami Iwasa Family No.: 25210 See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: sac_jaac_0165

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-55-163/

doc Federated Community Church program, May 24, 1942 (ddr-csujad-55-37)

Program for worship services at the Federated Community Church in Elk Grove, California. Verso includes a handwritten note by Ed Yoshida which reads, "This is to certify that the following personal property belongs to Ed H. Yoshida to be used or stored at the discretion of Ed H. Yoshida for the duration of the present emergency …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-55-37/

doc Instructions to all persons of Japanese ancestry (ddr-csujad-55-2389)

Newspaper clipping with a reprint of the exclusion orders and evacuation instructions for persons of Japanese ancestry residing in Alameda County, California. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: sac_jaac_2495

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-55-2389/

doc Identification tag (ddr-csujad-55-139)

Baggage tag for George Ono, Family No.: 31331 See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: sac_jaac_0141

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-55-139/

doc War Relocation Work Corps (ddr-csujad-55-351)

Pamphlet describing the War Relocation Work Corps including planned camp facilities, types of work available, eligibility, benefits, and private employment. "Approved Relocation Areas" section includes descriptions of Manzanar, Parker, Gila, Tule Lake, and Minidoka camps. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: sac_jaac_0353

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-55-351/