Description

February 14, 1942 – The Mayor of the Municipality of Khenchala write to the Prefect of Constantine to inform him that Mrs. Vve MAURIN, wife of the former Mayor of Khenchala, did not subscribe to the census declaration, and attach a baptismal certificate to the letter. She indicates to be of French nationality and “of the Catholic religion since June 3, 1940”, and “claims to have only two Jewish grandparents, the other two being of the Protestant religion”, but “that she is not in measure… to provide the necessary justifications as to the religion of her grandparents ”.

An investigation is carried out over several months to verify the authenticity of Ms. MAURIN’s statements and the sincerity of her baptismal certificate.

May 15, 1942 – The Superintendant of Khenchala writes to the Prefect of Constantine, Department of Jewish Questions and Secret Societies, “that the sincerity of Mrs Vve MAURIN’s baptismal certificate can hardly be questioned. A religious instruction, preparatory to baptism is essential. It lasts several weeks. Father LE CLAINCHE, signatory of the baptismal certificate, told me that this religious instruction had been given to Mrs MAURIN. The date on which Mrs MAURIN decided to convert therefore seems to be much earlier than her date of baptism”.

June 1, 1942 – The Prefect of Constantine writes to the Head of the 2nd Division, reports to him the reasons that the Superintendant had mentioned, but specifies “that the sincerity of the attached baptismal certificate produced by Mrs Vve MAURIN does not seem to have to be questioned “.