Verdoner children playing in the garden

The Verdoner Family - Gerrit and Hilde Verdoner, their children Yoka (b.1934), Francisca (b.1937) and Otto (b.1939) - were Jewish. In May 1940, when the Germans overran the Netherlands, Nazi decrees aimed specifically at Jews forced Gerrit out of his business and Yoka out of her second grade class. When the Nazis commandeered their home, the Verdoners went to live with Gerrit's parents in Amsterdam. Shortly thereafter, Gerrit and Hilde decided to place the children in hiding. Their foresight enabled the children to survive and save these family films. Hilde entered Westerbork on December 18, 1942, while Gerrit had a job with the Jewish Council. On September 29, 1943, after the collapse of the Jewish Council and Gerrit's narrow escape from the Germans, Gerrit found refuge in a hideout on a farm. On January 8, 1944 Hilde was sent to Auschwitz. After the war, Gerrit managed to reunite with his children and other surviving family members. The Verdoners emigrated to the US in 1946. CU, Otto Verdoner standing in his crib, smiling happily for the camera. ECU, Otto's face. VS, Otto playing with wooden toys in his crib. MCU, Francisca seated in a chair next to Otto's crib, she talks to her brother, and amuses herself. EXT, several children, including Yoka and Francisca Verdoner in the Verdoners' garden. ECU, Otto in the arms of his mother Hilde, passing the camera to go outside with the other children. VS, children running around playing ball, the father of the other young children (3) is present. There are two boys and one girl. Yoka and the boys chase each other around the yard. MS, quick glimpse of the grandparents out on the patio.