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 (283)
Mass removal ("evacuation") (746)
Preparation (377)

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377 items

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 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/

img Issei preparing farm for mass removal (ddr-densho-151-270)

Original caption: Woodland, California. This mother of Japanese ancestry is ready with her family of ten, to leave their farm the following morning in compliance with Civilian Exclusion Order. The figure in the background is a Negro laborer employed by the new tenants who have taken over the farm and are now operating it.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-151-270/

img Japanese Americans receiving inoculations (ddr-densho-151-110)

Original caption: San Francisco, California. As a safeguard for health, evacuees of Japanese descent were inoculated as they registered for evacuation at 2031 Bush Street. Nurses and doctors also of Japanese ancestry, administered inoculations. Children were given special attention. Evacuees were later transferred to War Relocation Authority centers for the duration.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-151-110/

img Mass removal sale (ddr-densho-151-81)

Original WRA caption: San Francisco, California. A close-out sale- prior to evacuation- at store operated by proprietor of Japanese ancestry on Grant Avenue in Chinatown. The evacuees of Japanese descent will be housed in War Relocation Authority centers for the duration.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-151-81/

img Last washday before mass removal (ddr-densho-151-179)

Original caption: San Lorenzo, California. Washday 48 hours before evacuation of persons of Japanese ancestry from this community in Santa Clara County. Evacuees wil be housed in War Relocation Authority centers for the duration.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-151-179/

img Signs advertising household goods (ddr-densho-151-319)

Original caption: Sacramento, California. Evidence of evacuation is seen in the Japanese quarter two days prior to evacuation of residents of Japanese ancestry from this city.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-151-319/

img Issei farmer and government employee discuss mass removal (ddr-densho-151-136)

Original caption: Hayward, California. Harry Konda, farmer, discusses evacuation details with a representation of the Farm Security Administration. Evacuees of Japanese ancestry will be housed in War Relocation Authority centers for the duration.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-151-136/

img Government worker interviewing issei farmer (ddr-densho-151-242)

Original caption: Byron, California. This farmer of Japanese ancestry is being interviewed at the Wartime Civil Control Administration station three days before evacuation.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-151-242/

img People receiving instructions on mass removal (ddr-densho-151-241)

Original caption: Byron, California. Three days before evacuation these people of Japanese ancestry are receiving their final instructions at the Wartime Civil Control Administration station in this agricultural community.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-151-241/

img Registering for mass removal (ddr-densho-151-80)

Original WRA caption: San Francisco, California. Bush Street, San Francisco. Japanese family heads and persons living alone form a line outside Civil Control station located in the Japanese American Citizens League Auditorium at 2031 Bush Street, to appear for "processing" in response to Civilian Exclusion Order Number 20.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-151-80/