Three days ago, on August 28, 2025, I reached a milestone that has been months in the making. Profiles for all 442 Bibelforscher documented in the Ancestry.com Dachau concentration camp records has been created. Each profile represents not just a name and date, but a person who suffered persecution for their religious beliefs during one of history's darkest chapters.
https://www.wikitree.com/g2g/1932671/
Update: Joined the WikiTree Saturday Roundup and spoke about this milestone!
The Purple Triangle Badge
Why This Project Matters
When I started the Purple Triangles - Dachau project on WikiTree, I was struck by how little attention this group of Nazi victims receives in mainstream Holocaust education. These 442 individuals represent just a small section of the Bibelforscher at different camps, and even at Dachau itself. They were simply the most easily identifiable group within the Germany, Dachau Concentration Camp Records, 1945 record set on Ancestry.com. These 442 individuals deserved to have their stories told, their names preserved, and their descendants given the chance to discover their family history.
WikiTree, with its mission to create "a global family tree for our cousins and descendants to enjoy for free, forever," provides the perfect platform for this type of memorial project. With over 42 million profiles and more than 1.2 million community members, it's become the most trusted collaborative family tree—and it's completely free.
The Research Process
Creating these profiles required more than just copying names from records. Each entry involved:
- Cross-referencing multiple sources: The Ancestry.com Dachau records served as my starting source, but I verified information against the Arolsen Archives (formerly the International Tracing Service). There were some transcription errors between Ancestry and the actual document on Arolsen.
- Contextual research: Understanding the historical context of Bibelforscher persecution
- Careful documentation: Ensuring each profile met WikiTree's standards for sourcing and accuracy
- Respectful presentation: Balancing historical accuracy with dignity for the victims and consideration for any living descendants
The Arolsen Archives proved invaluable as a primary source. As the world's largest archive on the victims and survivors of National Socialism, it provided additional details and verification that strengthened the reliability of each profile.
The Human Stories Behind the Numbers
While working on this project, it became impossible to see these as just "442 profiles." Each name represented someone's father, mother, sibling, or child. Someone who chose their faith over their freedom, and in 167 cases, ultimately paid the highest price.
The age ranges surprised me—from young adults barely out of their teens to elderly individuals who had lived full lives before their world was turned upside down.
What's Next
Completing the Dachau records is just the beginning. The Purple Triangles project includes other camps and locations where Bibelforscher were imprisoned. There are thousands more stories waiting to be told.
These profiles also need to have their family members added and to be connected to the main tree. Can you help us get them connected?
- Family Tree Size One
- Needs Profiles Created - Evidence of family members on source documents
Why WikiTree?
This project reinforces why I believe in WikiTree's mission. Unlike commercial genealogy sites that lock family history behind paywalls, WikiTree ensures that these important historical records remain accessible to everyone. Family historians, researchers, students, and descendants can access this information without barriers.
In a world where Holocaust denial persists and historical memory faces constant threats, projects like this serve as digital monuments. They ensure that the names, stories, and sacrifices of persecution victims are preserved for future generations.
The Purple Triangles - Dachau project continues to accept contributions and welcomes anyone interested in Holocaust research or family history preservation. Visit WikiTree to learn more about contributing to our collaborative global family tree.
