Gestapo Surveillance Dossier Folkish Faith Groups & Cremation Societies (1935–1937) (Irving File 4)

This document is a historical Gestapo surveillance dossier compiled by the Geheimes Staatspolizeiamt (Secret State Police Office, i.e., Gestapo) in Berlin. It spans roughly 676 pages (though many are administrative forms and repeats), dating primarily from 1935 to 1937, and it deals with:

• Folkish / Völkisch religious groups (often small nationalist, neopagan, or Ludendorff-inspired faith communities that distanced themselves from mainstream Christianity).

• Cremation societies and burial practices, which the Gestapo monitored for infiltration by Marxist or anti-Nazi elements.

• Disclaimer
• This document is a historical artifact produced by the Geheimes Staatspolizeiamt (Gestapo) during the Nazi regime in Germany between 1935 and 1937. It reflects the surveillance, ideological bias, and discriminatory practices of a totalitarian state. The materials contain language, classifications, and assumptions that are offensive, prejudiced, and contrary to modern values of human rights, religious freedom, and academic integrity.
• The inclusion and analysis of this document are intended solely for scholarly, historical, and educational purposes. The views, terminology, and accusations presented within the original records are those of the authors and agencies of the Nazi state and do not represent the values or positions of the institutions handling or presenting this material today.
• Users are advised that the content may be distressing and should be approached with critical awareness, particularly in the context of Holocaust studies, religious persecution, and state surveillance.

Condition Note

Physical Condition (Implied from Scans)

• The dossier consists of scanned images of original typed German documents, many bearing stamps, handwritten signatures, and annotations.

• Pages are generally legible but exhibit signs of aging typical of mid-1930s paper: mild discoloration, fading ink in some areas, and some light stains or marks.

• The file appears to have been kept in an organized folder structure as indicated by cover labels (e.g., “Marxisten in den Feuerbestattungsvereinen”) and internal references (e.g., file and archive numbers).

Documentary Integrity

• The document sequence is intact and appears to be chronological.

• It includes official correspondence, surveillance reports, individual biographies, and institutional commentary by police and political agencies.

• Reports often carry both typed summaries and handwritten follow-ups, indicating a multi-layered administrative process.