The John Heinz History Center in Pittsburgh is launching a new digital archive through the Rauh Jewish History Program & Archives, consisting of more than 500 letters from the archives of U.S. Congressman Henry Ellenbogen that document his efforts to help Jewish people escape Europe during the Holocaust.

During the early years of Nazi rule, Jewish people looking to escape to the United States required an affidavit from an American citizen to immigrate there. Hundreds of people turned to Ellenbogen for help.

These letters were digitized thanks to a grant from Henry’s daughter, Judi. The Ellenbogen papers are available for viewing online at historicpittsburgh.org.