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Yesterday The National Archives releases records of claims for financial assistance submitted in the mid 1960s by UK victims of Nazi persecution, or their family members if deceased.

We are working with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) to transfer and release these records in four tranches between March 2016 and spring 2017. The first tranche of more than 900 original records are available to view in the public reading rooms at The National Archives as of yesterday, 31 March 2016.

These records include personal details of UK citizens who applied for compensation as a result of having been victims of Nazi persecution. Specifics can include names, evidence of their internment, details of their next of kin/dependents, medical forms (for disablement awards) and the final outcome of their claim, which includes details of their award where successful. Some files contain a first-hand account of experiences whereas others just have the application form.

Agreement between the governments of the United Kingdom and the Federal Republic of Germany for a compensation scheme was formally sanctioned on 9 June 1964. The Anglo-German Agreement provided £1 million for the benefit of UK nationals who were victims of Nazi persecution or to their dependents, if deceased. Applications closed on 31 March 1966. A total of 1,015 awards were made under the scheme of which 238 were from dependents.

Due to there being sensitive personal data contained in these documents which relate to individuals that may still be living, some files will be redacted and names withheld for data protection purposes.

Find out more on our blog: How were British victims of Nazi persecution compensated?