Benjamin S. Ohnick family papers

Benjamin S. Ohnick family papers, 1935-1987

Overview of the Collection

Creator: Ohnick family
Title: Benjamin S. Ohnick family papers
Dates: 1935-1987 (inclusive)
19351987
Quantity: 1.42 cubic feet (2 boxes)
Collection Number: 5565 (Accession No. 5565-001)
Summary: Family papers related to WWII internment of Benjamin and his wife Ina Ohnick in Santo Tomas internment camp, Philippines and other materials
Repository: University of Washington Libraries, Special Collections
Special Collections
University of Washington Libraries
Box 352900
Seattle, WA
98195-2900
Telephone: 2065431929
Fax: 2065431931
speccoll@uw.edu
Access Restrictions: Open to all users.
Languages: English, German
Sponsor: Funding for encoding this finding aid was partially provided through a grant awarded by the National Endowment for the Humanities.

Biographical NoteReturn to Top

Benjamin Shannon Ohnick was born on July 29, 1890. He graduated from the University of Washington Law School in1913. He was an executive with Marsman & Co., in the Philippines, from the 1920 through the World War II, and was interned with his wife, Ina, in Santo Tomas internment camp, in Manila, from 1942 to1945. During this time their children, Barbara, Van and Benjamin Jr., were in school in the US. Both sons were also in the service during WWII. According to Barbara Ohnick, her father was himself part Japanese; his father emigrated to the US, first to the Southwest, and then early in 20th century came to Seattle at request of Emperor of Japan to establish Bank of Japan in Seattle. The family name was "anglicized" when her grandfather arrived in the US. Her mother was of Finnish/Swedish derivation. The children, though part-Japanese and all resident on the West Coast during the war, were not subject to the Japanese Americans internment on the West Coast.

Content DescriptionReturn to Top

The Benjamin S. Ohnick family papers consist of material relating to the internment of Benjamin S. Ohnick and his wife, Ina Elizabeth Ohnick, in Santo Tomas Internment Camp (Manila, Philippines) from 1942-1945. Of four binders, two contain telegrams, correspondence, notes, meal cards, vaccination records, financial notes, photographs and other materials chiefly documenting the internment. One binder contains correspondence, telegrams, and other material documenting information about Benjamin and Ida Ohnick received by their daughter, Barbara Ohnick. One binder contains travel ephemera from Benjamin and Ina Ohnick’s European trip in 1935, and return by way of South Asia. The collection also includes books about Santo Tomas Internment Camp (Manila, Philippines) and the mining industry in the Philippines, a commemorative 20th anniversary booklet of the camp's liberation, clippings, and a directory of internees.

Use of the CollectionReturn to Top

Restrictions on Use

The creators' literary rights have been transferred to the University of Washington Libraries.

Administrative InformationReturn to Top

Arrangement

Arranged into 2 series:

Personal papers, 1935-1947
Books and clippings, 1940-1987

Acquisition Information

Source: Barbara Ohnick, April 28, 2009

Detailed Description of the CollectionReturn to Top

Accession No. : Personal papers, 1935-1947Return to Top

Container(s): Box 1

1 cubic foot (1 box)

Arrangement: Arranged in 4 binders as received.

Scope and Content: Of four binders, two contain telegrams, correspondence, notes, meal cards, vaccination records, financial notes, photographs and other materials chiefly documenting the internment. One binder contains correspondence, telegrams, and other material documenting information about Benjamin and Ida Ohnick received by their daughter, Barbara Ohnick. One binder contains travel ephemera from Benjamin and Ina Ohnick’s European trip in 1935, and return by way of South Asia.

Restrictions on Access:

Accession No. : Books and clippings, Return to Top

.42 cubic feet (1 box)

Arrangement: Arranged according to type of record.

Container(s)		Description	Dates
Box/Folder	Accession
2/1		Cates, Tressa R., R.N.Infamous Santo Tomas. San Marcos: Pacific Press, 1981 General Notes: Autographed to Ina Ohnick by the author, 1982.	1981
2/2		Brougher, William Edward.The Long Dark Road. William Edward Brougher, 1946 General Notes: Autographed to Ben Ohrick by the author.	1946
2/3		Philippine Mining Yearbook for 1940. Chamber of Mines of the Philippines, 1940	1940
2/4		Stevens, Frederic H.Santo Tomas Internment Camp: 1942-1945. Frederic H. Stevens, 1946	1946
2/5		Gardner, L., ed.Santo Tomas Internment Camp Anniversary Booklet, 1945-1965: The Twentieth Reunion of Class of 1945. 1965	1965
2/6		clippings	1983, 1987, n.d.
2/7		Names and Addresses of Former Internees of Santo Tomas, Manila, Philippines. The STIC Group of China Lake, CA, 1965	1965

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