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P.1 THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS OF CONTRA COSTA COUNTY, CALIFORNIA Date: June 10, 1997 Matter of Record SUBJECT: Contra Costa County Historical Society History Center On June 10, 1997, the Board of Supervisors heard comments from Betty Maffie, Director of the History Center, and Nilda Rego, author of the "Days Gone By" column in the Contra Costa Times Newspaper. THIS IS A MATTER FOR RECORD PURPOSES ONLY NO BOARD ACTION WAS TAKEN J�1 r � t A {-$. t' l'� .� - •. _ i i � ;'fid � t:.:. fi- ..( .''. a '�3Y���'q+*���, sf .^SJ "'y a`e,r c-.-; �•'': ^"�� �_.r tY } ''Y r s .'•::, � ,„'�"'7"' ,� .ter,, yv sc`W''3�`'r- 2 ^^....tx ,}j 'h2'+`•' r —._. _...... qt + F r, i r ✓`� r RESIDENCE AND FARM OF J. E.DURHAM. YGJ1ACIO VALLE"y, CO(VTP\A COSTA CO.cAL. j + CONTRA COSTA COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY ® HISTORY CENTER 1700 Oak Park Blvd., Rm. C5 Pleasant Hill, CA. 94523 We invite you to use our facilities Research...Documentation...Materials for Decorating cost Tax Books cs C Court Cases c 0�0 Maps v 35,000 Photographs& Negatives ® Slides Soil Survey Aerials Books '•t�rteal g0b` Newspapers Open 5 days a week.....appointments recommended Call for Research and Reproduction fees (44-5) 939-9180 .570 CONTRA COSTA COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY HISTORY CENTER BETTY MAFFEI-Director 1700 Oak Park Blvd., Rm C-5 sio Pleasant Hill,CA 94523 4451939-9180 i I I MARY-ELLEN JONES ARCHIVAL CONSULTANT HISTORICAL RESEARCHER I (510)254-2295 2 LOS AMIGOS CT. (510)254-2859(FAX) ORINDA,CA 94563 I NILDA REGO Days Gone By Column HOME: (415) 283-6333 00 California's Best Dally Newspaper-Awarded by C N.P.A. 2640 Shadelands Drive,P.O. Box 5088,Walnut Creek,CA 94596 A Publication of Lesher Communications, Inc. " ...: PF Ik tv 1w Ift ai- 4. ``1 } — -✓I F i``yy t ,yF�jJ`;I{ iNI��' r{ijj}��I �� ���� .yy�i+.`, y. {K.....�- � ,,,'�. s}-�. s r} .�;�;i} V 4 K'f'.•. ''"sem`••- 'fly.+;y.»;, rte-�- � SMt, LI y � i.4 2 ^yy •k.�i., �. �,; •w...�.tee{, ��.�`. � •r 4'c �ir�,t�eJ.1.` •' .y `}�^� b kyr � �% �" "."'^n' r•iA Y.._K'.� -� � i �,�&"."„� y F+'I��C+.ur�'Y ' !F'�,. � '4. G.i -til ,. ,/” •�u� i.� •� _ - ice' 'r sae r 1I/�'`'„ .;;rs• ,. ter. ® OFFICERS/1997 President Mary-Ellen Jones 1st Vice President Kathleen Mero 2nd Vice President Lucille Irish Secretary Nilda Rego Treasurer Anthony Dehaesus BOARD OF DIRECTORS/1997 Frank Bray Martinez Beverly Clemson Walnut Creek Tom Crews Concord Barbara Dear Concord Tony Dehaesus Walnut Creek Ruth Dyer Lafayette Lucille Irish Walnut Creek Mary-Ellen Jones Orinda Dean McLeod Bay Point Betty Maffei Walnut Creek Kathleen Mero Concord Connie Rehr Clayton Nilda Rego Moraga Dolores Ricks Martinez Michael Walford Concord Our Lady !Y� Cllurcl� " lic r Cal. Calho 11ichmonc , Yl r.t;4r . R f�^5�D�4f�µ�•y, .17 V 1 11 �t 8 �" ,acY ��. yt sr.'.d' •...-1.::.,,a..�,� s� J '"r r� `1�r�'H`� .� n �ttt� by '�'c S r �- tk M11ay..¢�is�4 ` ttzolr all melt lit) tlreoe �ereorllto ® TH.f1T we,-........... ...... _.._.-...... �c�cc� -----...-----.-..-...principal, �/� - and.. . c�_..2e��/ .�l�c�-t-J ��. ,.�. �_.. .. _ f sureties,are held and rml bound to the State o California,Galifor•nia in the sum of..`�`"'o - ............... —_---- Dollars, lawfal money of the United States of America, to be paid to the said State of California, for which payment well and truly to be made,we bind ourselves our and each of ou�heirs,executors and administrators,jointly and severally,firmly, by these presents. y — Sealed with our seals rind dated this.-...-...`� ���.._..-......___.........................day of 188•6 I THE CONDITION of the above ObUoation is such: that whereas,by an order of the Superior Court of Contra Costa County, State aforesaid, duly,made and entered on the_.. -111 ............-._day of-'--......-.:__ ........--_..._..._ ._._........................1�8 the above, bounden principal was appointed.......6............. ................ ............... ............_.__....deceased,and letters.... .......... .............._........... ..._a........ ------.- - were dirceted o be issued to. '. -upon _ _ executing -....-.--- a bond according'to law,in said sum of..__...°�f 6 �`-� ....... . ... ...................:__._..:........................__........................................................... ..: lJ.... •.............-....--........................... _ -- - ........__.------- -.._.... - _ ..................- - - - - ...--. ---- ----...----- -----------------..._ -- _ .----------- ---.-...... aZ OW, ZIMC(Ort, if the said -_ �, �e�e� . ® shall faithfully execute the duties of the trust cco dins to law,then t�Oblisa- . f t tion to be void: otherwise to remain in full force and effect. ' Sinned, sealed and delivered, in p �SEAL� the presence of EAL 2� - -- -- - ------1 S"� O i - 1�_SEAL� s. ,County of Contra Costa. - _c.- '-GYY--.�J���.- '. f�f.��.t�i;�._-.a..:.anrZ:.: •.�!'�.. � ................' ... _" 1 sureties named,in the above bond,beinf" duly/ sworn,each for himself says that he is a freeholder and,resident within said State,and is worth the said sum of : r"u _c--..-�-� .............. ............_............ Dollars over and above all his debts and liabilities, exclusine of property exempt from execution. Subscribed and sworn to before me, this . -..--.._..:..-..__................_.... .:-....-..._-. 188- ..... .: ...'..... ......................... - r 1 •� ,�, ��" w Ov •s._� WW IINKi ,b:�'r;' '�'� 'i�� { � ,fity��y4•i.���h i'�4,��i 4 it� r F r j+ 3'j�p �{`:'" a 1r0��{'fv w� ��'''y��� .r ,ti`a'." `'•�� y� +p��P' 1`� ri �n "���+`S �t� l•, � ''t�`r+.', -�`` - - 071�1,101 3 M `" f �'K•fit.. � '•' ft.7 Its: K , MR --•--.""" '"rte` � - .,�,� Board of Supervisors Contra Costa County 10 June 1997/10:00 a.m. Mr. Chairman Members of the Board of Supervisors My name is Mary-Ellen Jones I am President of the Contra Costa County Historical Society. I am also the archivist of the Historical Society's History Center. ® I am a professional archivist, retired from The Bancroft Library at the University of California at Berkeley. The Bancroft Library is a major repository for the study of the history of western North America with emphasis on California. I think it might help if I define two terms that are not exactly household words: 1 - archivist 2 - archives An archivist is a person. His or her job is to maintain custody of and provide access to archival records (unpublished documents) created by or compiled by individuals and organizations. The term archives is used to describe two different things: 1 - the building in which archival records are housed ® 2 - the archival records themselves i ® The History Center, the major activity of our Historical Society, is an archives. It is a repository containing unpublished records of individuals and organizations. Its collections consist of correspondence, diaries, manuscripts of writings, photographs, maps, scrapbooks, clippings, and ephemera. The History Center is not a library, although it does maintain a rather extensive collection of reference works. The History Center is not a museum. We do not collect Aunt Minnie's butter churn or her old lace curtains. We are not into artifacts. The History Center collects documents -- the written word. It is an incredibly rich, irreplaceable, and growing repository for records - past, present, and future - that are relevant to the study of Contra Costa County. Another hat I wear is as a Regional Vice President of the Conference of ® California Historical Societies,. This is a statewide volunteer organization which seeks to unite historians in their common efforts to appreciate and preserve their past. I represent Contra Costa County. In this capacity, I have toured local repositories throughout the state. Without question, Contra Costa's History Center contains the most valuable collections found in any comparable archives -- whether measured historically or monetarily. Our History Center is the most professionally organized, administered, and staffed local archives that I have seen anywhere in California. The staff is exceptional. Many have learned basic principles of sound archival management and continue to build on their knowledge by attending professional workshops and seminars. They know what they are doing. This is important because cataloging archival collections is complicated. Every collection is unique. Each document must be examined carefully for ® content and research potential. Ideally, this work should be done by staff members who are trained in archival processing and care very much about what they are doing. An extra bonus is to find volunteers who know the subjects they must deal with. The volunteer staff of the History Center is exactly that - trained and dedicated. Collections at the History Center are arranged and cataloged within guidelines established and practiced by archival institutions throughout the world. All documents are housed in acid-free folders, cartons, and boxes, as well as in chemically-inert polypropylene for maximum preservation potential. All of these storage containers are in conformity with strict archival standards as established by the Society of American Archivists. Processing of archival collections requires space - lots of it. Ideally, each cataloger should have for his/her exclusive use, a desk and two work table. Using this guideline, History Center catalogers by themselves should be occupying about half of our current space. In reality, we squeeze into our current facility the following: all of our catalogers other assorted staff members numerous desks and chairs . computers and printer fax machine copy machine file cabinets flat files for maps shelves to house collections storage cabinets a research area for users It is not easy to work under such crowded conditions. A sense of humor is mandatory. TO SUM UP: We have skilled staff members. We have the expertise required to handle archival materials. We are willing and able to preserve and provide access to additional County records that are not now available for use. In order to do this, we must find additional space. We are here today to seek your help in solving our space problem. Thank you. ® TYPES OF UNPUBLISHED DOCUMENTS WHICH MAY BE FOUND IN ARCH_I VAL.._._COL LECT_I.ONS.. Incoming letters Outgoing letters - usually in the form of drafts , car- bons , letterpress books , or copy books Telegrams , cablegrams , night letters Memoranda Notes Diaries Daybooks Commonplace books Memoirs Interviews Oral histories Minutes Manuscripts of writings , speeches , sermons Reports. Business records Financial records Household accounts Inventories Genealogies school records Church records Fraternal order records f° ® Diplomas , certificates , and awards i'. ,i ' i z V Maps Photographs and negatives Films Tapes Scrapbooks Clippings Miscellaneous documents required by law including: Citizenship papers Marriage and birth records Naturalization papers Guardianship records Passports Land records Court records Ephemera - aka Paper Americana - including: Trade cards Greeting cards ® Posters Broadsides Timetables Tickets Menus Programs Post cards Letterheads DREADED ENEMIES OF DOCUMENTS People - past and present , i .e . , former owners and cur- rent caretakers through careless handling , improper storage , and irreversible conservation techniques Light Moisture Heat Cold Temperature extremes ® Vermin Fungus Dust Dirt Residual chemicals Insects Rubber bands Masking tape Scotch tape Magic mending tape Paper clips i.. Rubber cement ` Elmer 's Glue-All :R, ® 2 Acidic adhesives Mold Atmospheric gases Acidic mat board Lamination Wood storage cabinets Glassene envelopes Acidic envelopes of any kind Post-It notes Non-archival vinyl album pages Become brittle , wrinkle , shrink , and emit chloride ® gas which causes photographs and printing to stick to the vinyl S The Archivut C;oae, Y The Archivist has a moral obligation to society to take every possible measure to ensure the preservation of valuable records, not only those of the past but those of his own times, and with equal zeal. The Archivist in appraising records for retention or disposal acts as the agent of future generations.The wisdom and impartiality he applies to this task measure his professionalism, for he must be as diligent in disposing of records that have no significant or lasting value as in retaining those r that do. The Archivist must protect the integrity of records in his custody. He must guard them against defacement, alteration, or theft;he must protect them against physical damage by fire or excessive e exposure to light, dampness, and dryness;and he must ensure that their evidentiary value is not impaired in the normal course of rehabilitation, arrangement, and use. The Archivist should endeavor to promote access to records to the fullest extent consistent with the public interest, but he should carefully observe any proper restrictions on the use of records. He should work unremittingly for the increase and diffusion of knowledge, making his documentary holdings freely known to prospective users through published finding aids and personal consultation. The Archivist should respond courteously and with a spirit of helpfulness to reference requests. He should not place unnecessary obstacles in the way of researchers but should do whatever he can to save their time and ease their work. He should not idly discuss the work and findings of one researcher with another; but where duplication of research effort is apparent, he may properly inform another researcher. The Archivist should not profit from any commercial exploitation of the records in his custody, nor should he withhold from others any information he has gained as a result of his official duties— either in order to carry out private professional research or to aid one researcher at the expense of another. He should, however, take every legitimate advantage of his situation to develop his professional interests in historical and archival research. The Archivist should freely pass on to his professional colleagues the results of his own or his organization's research that add to the body of archival and historical knowledge. He should leave to his successors a true account of the records in his custody and of their organization and arrangement. Wayne C._Grover Archivist of the United States 1948-1965 Reissued by the rational Archives and Records Administration April,198.5 •.c s� me uuui. uwi - : a�e '�;a:a- x,,� r u „!►� .---=_ �. pikH11111I111I111VtIIIhIiIIN9�1IlVIII{IiPIIIJIs�Si111NpIfIUlilJihilttllnlltlllglutll'"- ,'t=; f � 4lIIII}Dili{AIIA�tIII�11I��i�tlili_.14111'Ikv �tIl{Utl1INII11nI_I__� a— t..r 1 yr+.M«• ++....ir+�j yes=:, e � 1 O Contra Costa County Supervisors Meeting, June 10, 1997 p Good Morning: My name is Betty Maffei. I am the director of the Contra Costa County History �I Center. I am a graduate of the University of California, Berkeley. My expertise is in Public Relations, Promotions, and Marketing. The Contra Costa County Historical Society was founded in 1951 by two men: A.F. Bray, a Superior and Appellate Court judge from Martinez (the last court house bears his name) and Louis L. Stein, a pharmacist and historian from Kensington. In 1978 Justice Bray and Louie Stein discovered the Vicente Maratinez Adobe was to be torn down. To quote Louie: "The Justice said:Take care of it Louie so I went to the bank, took out a loan and bought the adobe." The Stein family would come on week-ends to tend the orchards, pick the crops, and paint the historic home. When the National Parks Service bought the John Muir site they bought the adobe from the Steins for the same amount they had paid for it. ® In 1979 the Board of Supervisors of Contra Costa County declared the Contra Costa County Historical Society to be the official society of the County. In 1984 the Supervisors provided a school room (29 by 31 ft) at 1700 Oak Park Blvd, Pleasant Hill and the Louis and Mildred Stein History Center was opened. The collection was first sent to the Hearst Museum at UC Berkeley to be fumigated. From there they were taken to the History Center and housed in acid free folders and acid free cartons. The Stein collection was considered the largest ever to be given to a private organization. Louis Stein collected assesment books, court cases, maps and photographs. Although the items he collected from this county were identified as microfilmed, we find many maps, and several cartons of court cases that somehow slipped through the cracks. Since 1984 we have received many other valuable collections including..the Dorothy Mutnick collection and research on some Alta ® California Pioneers and Descendants. Her complete genealogy on the early settlers in Mexican Contra Costa County Supervisors Meeting, June 10, 1997 ® Territory is considered invaluable. The Contra Costa Times collection of negatives from the 1960s to 1980s add to the complete collection of Less Sipes,Oakland Tribune photographer and writer. Two years ago,Frank Bray, son of Justice Bray asked if we wanted "Grandpa's collection". Grandpa was Sheriff R.R. Veale. His daughter married the Justice. The collection turned out to be another"greatest".. The first delivery was 60 boxes. All the history of Sheriff Veals career as sheriff for 40 years in CCC. We were so over crowded, we asked for more space and were given 1/2 of another schoolroom at 1700 Oak Park Blvd. Immediately, the Nancy Fanden collection was given to us and a huge collection of framed photographs from the State Archives was delivered. These photographs range from 40"x20"to 5'x7'. In 1991 County Clerk Steve Weir called to ask for our help in indexing 300 linear feet of records found in a remote office space. When we looked at them, we discovered they were not all marked microfilmed. ® These books and several cartons of court cases are now waiting to be moved into our repository. Because of a 1992 Judicial Council of California ruling these items must not be shredded. The rule-#243.5 states that all items up to and including 1911 must be kept intact and items from 1912 to 1949 should be kept. The records are now stored in the basement of the post office on Court Street. That basement is known to leak in the winter ..,.so we are on borrowed time hoping to save intact what, by law must be saved.; Our organization supports itself through membership dues, research fees, sale of photos,maps, and books.. Unlike other counties, we do not receive funds from county budget. We are recognized as a professional, primary source research archive. Professional researchers, geneaologists, county offices use our Center. Most of the history on theLos Vaqueros Dam area was done in our office commissioned by the Water Company. There are 36 volunteers who work for the History Center, The archives are open 5 days a week.. Today is probably the first Contra Costa County Supervisors Meeting, June 10, 1997 ® Tuesday the office has been closed since 1984. . Contra Costa County is one of a very few Counties to not have a county supported archives. The Judical Council suggests a historical society by appointed as repository if there is not room in the county. You have appointed this society as the official society, and we are a repository. At this time we need space to do what is necessary. One other facet of our organization is the publishing of Contra Costa History. We have published books and documents since 1951 and recently re-published a book on Clayton Valley. We are currently working with Dr. Marvin Epstein, who is writing the history of medicine in Contra Costa County, 1950-1990. He is one of the founders of John Muir Hospital. And, the most exciting and fun publication is to be published by Christmas, this year. We will publish the "Days Gone By" stories from the Contra Costa Times by Nilda Rego. May I present to you, Nilda Rego. ® HISTORY CENTER VOLUNTEER STAFF June 1997 June Whitesides Walnut Creek: Director of Photography. Refs: Advertising, formerly with California Historical Society. Betty Maffei Walnut Creek: Director of the History Center. Refs: Public relations promotions and marketing, historian. Bev Clemson Walnut Creek: Library & Accessions. Refs: former Director of Shadelands Museum, historian. Kathleen Mero Concord: Database Manager. Refs:Computer Consultant,geneaologist, John Marsh biographic research Bill Mero Concord: Computer programmer & developer. Refs: Retired geologist & geophysicist, researcher, historian. Bill Larkins Pleasant Hill: Photo historian. Refs: Aviation historian, author several books on aviation, professional photographer. Tillie Larkins Pleasant Hill: Photo historian. Refs: Researcher, Ruth Weld Concord: Document transcriber. Refs: Geneaologist, researcher Ruth Dyer Lafayette: Cataloguer. Refs: retired high school teacher, catalogued Mutnick Collection. Andrew Young Alamo: Document transcriber. Refs: Author,historian,formerly a ® member of Planning Commission of Contra Costa County and San Ramon Valley area Planning Commission Julie Landucci Concord: Stenographer, oral histories Margo Honeck Pleasant Hill: Filing Assistant. Refs: geneaologist, indexing orbituaries Phil Hoehn San Francisco: Map Curator. Refs: Chief Map Cataloguer, UC Berkeley. Rick Maffei Walnut Creek: Financial advisor. Refs: Business owner John Nutley Walnut Creek: Map expert. Refs: Retired high school teacher, indexing soil survey maps. Bernard Freedman Concord: Document transcriber Refs: Author, historian, cataloguer. Denise Hueners Concord: Filing assistant. Refs: geneaologist, researcher of the Soto Family. Bret Stroozas Walnut Creek: Computer Assistant. Refs: Scientific researcher UC Berkeley. Jean Kenyon Walnut Creek: Photo Assistant. Refs:Collector of Californiana Mary-Ellen Jones Orinda: Archivist. Refs: Retired archivist, The Bancroft Library, UC Berkeley. Author, photographer, professional researcher JaneHunnicut Clayton:R.R. Veale Collection cataloguer. Refs: Retired high school teacher, indexing Veale Collection Shirley Henderson Clayton: R.R. Veale Collection cataloguer. Refs: Retired Contra ® Costa County District Attorney's office Tom Wilkins Clayton:R.R. Veale Collection cataloguer. Refs: Retired O Barbara Dear Concord: Computer assistant. Refs: Retired accountant, historian, researcher. Nilda Rego Moraga: Press Advisor. Refs: Columnist , CCTimes "Days Gone By" researcher, historian. John Mackenzie Sacramento: Indexer. Refs: Retired CA Fish & Game, former East County resident, indexing Balfour Guthrie Collection, author, President John Marsh Historic Trust. Grace McNeill EI Cerrito: Filing Assistant. Refs: Retired county librarian, Main Library and EI Cerrito Branch. Dolores Ricks Martinez: Filing Assistant. Refs: Past-Pres. Martinez Historical Society, retired business woman, researcher. Lucille Irish EI Cerrito: Computer Assistant. Refs: Retired City Clerk of EI Cerrito and Asst. City Clerk of Orinda. Tom Crews Concord: Pony Express Committee. Refs: Professional phototographer, researcher, author, expert on Pony Express. Sarah Mero San Ramon: Stenographer. Refs: Desktop publisher Dean McLeod Concord: Researcher. Refs: Professional researcher. Ron Mero Concord: Webmaster History Center Web Page. Refs: PG&E Regional computer systems co-ordinator. Marvin Epstein; MD Walnut Creek: Author, writing History of Medicine in CCC 1950 to 1990. Refs: Physician, author, photographer, of founders of OJohn Muir Medical Center. Mary Ellen Maton Orinda: Newspaper clipper. Refs: Retired psychologist. Mildred Freitas Danville: Newspaper clipper. Refs: Retired. Francis Bailey Rossmoor: Newspaper clipper. Refs: Retired tour director. IN THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS OF CONTRA COSTA COUNTY, STATE OF CALIFORNIA I AIn the Matter of Appointing ) RESOLUTION NO. 79/932 An Official Historical Society ) WHEREAS it appears that the rapid and continuing population increase in Contra Costa County brings thousands of new residents who are unfamiliar with the County's colorful historical heritage, dating back to the original exploration of this area by Captain Pedro Fages 200 years ago; and WHEREAS the Board of Supervisors of this County from time to time has need of the counsel and advice of local historians on County historical questions; and WHEREAS this County has need from time to time for a source of knowledgeable historical information to answer inquiries received on County history and the pioneers who lived here; and WHEREAS occasional public historical events, which call for local observance or celebration, would be facilitated by the availability of volunteer services of a stable and experienced group of history-oriented citizens; and WHEREAS the Contra Costa County Historical Society, a not-for- profit California corporation with members throughout this County, has agreed to volunteer its services as may be needed in all these matters; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT BY THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS OF THE COUNTY OF CONTRA COSTA, CALIFORNIA, RESOLVED that the Contra Costa County Historical Society is considered a valued historical resource of volunteer services, and by these presents is hereby designated as the Official Historical Society of Contra Costa County, California; and BE IT BY THE BOARD FURTHER RESOLVED that, as the need may be her--after de ermined, the Board of Supexrvtsors. or its delegated representatives, may take volunteer counsel of the Contra Costa County Historical Society in matters relating to the history and heritage of this County; and BE IT BY THE BOARD FURTHER RESOLVED that, as the need may be hereafter determined, the Contra Costa County Historical Society may be called upon to lend such volunteer assistance and aid as the Board may request in public events celebrating or relating to County history; and said Society is hereby commended for its public spirit and dedication to advancing the knowledge and appreciation of local history. PASSED AND ADOPTED thisllthday of September, 1979• I HEREBY CERTIFY that the foregoing is a true and correct copy of a Resolution entered on the minutes of said Board of Supervisors on the date aforesaid. b: tees '.:and and the a of the Board of Supervisors affixed this lith day of September 1979. . cc: Contra Costa County Historical Society c/o J. R. OLSSON, Clerk County Administrator County Librarian County Clerk /Q Director of Planning ByJ] tiiLZ_ - Deputy Clerk County Administrator Diana M.Haman In the Board of Supervisors of ® Contra Costa County, State of California September 11 19 79 Inthe Matter of Resolution Approving Contra Cost Count;; ?'istorical SIl ociety as the Official Historical Society of the County. The Board having received an August 27, 1979 letter from Mr. James B. Jory, Secretary of the Contra Costa County Historical Society clarifying the Board's suggestion that said Society be designated as the Official Historical Society of the County for specified purposes and urging adoption of an applicable resolution; IT IS BY THE BOARD ORDERED that the aforesaid resolution Is APPROVED for adoption. PASSED by the Board on September 11, 1979. I hereby certify that the foregoing is a true and correct copy of an order entered on the minutes of said Board of Supervisors on the date aforesaid. Witness my hand and the Seal of the Board of Supervisors cc: Mr. James B. Jory affixed this llthday of September , 19 79 County Counsel County Librarian County Administrator //� R. OLSSON, Clerk By. ;•L� Deputy Clerk ® Diana .M. Herman H-24 3/79 15M 54ubtirtial (gou nil of Uifornia ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE OF THE COURTS 303 Second Street, South Tower • San Francisco, California 94107 PHONE 415 396-9100 FAX 415 396-9349 June 10, 1992 Ms . Betty J. Maffei . Director, Contra Costa County History Center 1700 OakPark Blvd. , Room C-5 Pleasant Hill, CA 94593 Re: Court records sampling program rule Dear Ms . Maffei : Thank you for commenting on the court records sampling program rule. We received many thoughtful and useful suggestions for improving the sampling rule in response to the first and second invitations to comment that were mailed statewide to over 1200 persons and organizations interested in retention and disposition of court records . The Advisory Committee on Court Records Management reviewed all ® of the comments and incorporated many of the suggestions in the rule that was finally recommended for adoption to the Judicial Council . The advisory committee attempted to balance the prac- tical needs of the courts with the needs of researchers and historians in developing the program. Enclosed is a copy of rule 243 . 5 of the California Rules of Court adopted by the Judicial Council on May 28, effective July 1, 1992 . We also enclose discussion on the rule from the advisory committee report to the council and action taken by the council on a number of court records management issues . Again, thank you for taking the time to communicate your views . We appreciate your interest in court records management issues . Veerr/y1 truly yours , Cara M. Vonk Attorney CMV: rpw Enclosures ® 464/VO cc: Malcolm M. Lucas , Chief Justice William C. Vickrey, Director Members of the Advisory Committee on Court Records Management Frederick J. Brousseau, Consultant, Ernst & Young... ® Rule 243 . 5 . Superior court records sampling program (Gov. Code, S 69503) (a) [Purpose] The purpose of this rule is to establish a program to preserve in perpetuity for study by historians and other researchers all superior court records filed before 191.1 and a sample of superior court records filed after January 1, 1911, to document the progress and development of the judicial system, and to preserve evidence of significant events and social trends . This rule is not intended to restrict a court from preserving more records than the minimum required. [Adopted effective July 1, 1992 . 1 (b) [Comprehensive records] Each superior court shall preserve forever comprehensive court records as follows : (1) All records filed before 1911; (2) All case indexes ; (3) All judgment books if the court maintains judgment records separate from the case files; (4) All minute books if the court maintains minutes separate from the case files; and _L5) All registers of action if the court maintains them. Each superior court should, if practicable, preserve forever all court records filed from 1911 through 1949 . [Adopted effective July 1, 1992 . 1 (c) [Sample records] If a superior court destroys court records without preserving them in a medium described in subdivision (h) , the court shall preserve forever a sample of each year ' s court records as provided by this rule of all cases , including sealed, expunged, and other confidential records to the extent permitted by law. If a court does not destroy court records, or if a court destroys court records but preserves them in a medium described in subdivision (h) , the court is not required to select for preservation a sample of each year ' s court records . [Adopted ® effective July 1. 1992 . 1 ® (d) [Court record defined] The "court record" under this rule shall consist of the following : ( 1) All papers and documents in the case folder; but if no case folder is created by the court, all papers and documents that would have been in the case folder if one had been created; and (2) The case folder, unless all information on the case folder is in papers and documents preserved in a medium described in subdivision (h) ; and (3) If available, corresponding depositions, paper exhibits , daily transcripts, and tapes of electronically recorded proceedings . [Adopted effective July 1, 1992 . 1 (e) [Sampling technique for courts with more than one judicial position] Two courts with more than one judicial position assigned in rotation by the Judicial Council shall preserve 100 percent of their court records for a calendar year ( "longitudinal sample" ) . All other courts shall preserve a Osystematic sample of 10 percent or more of each year ' s court records and a 2 percent subjective sample of the court records scheduled to be destroyed as follows : (1) The "systematic sample" shall be selected as follows after grouping all cases scheduled to be destroyed by filing year : (i) If the cases scheduled to be destroyed for a filing year number more than 1, 000 cases , the sample shall consist of all cases in which the last digit of the case number (0-9) coincides with the last digit of the year in which the case was filed. (ii) , If the cases scheduled to be destroyed for a filing year number from 100 to 1, 000, the sample shall consist of cases selected by (1) dividing the number of cases filed by 100, rounding fractions down to the next lower number, and (2) counting the cases and preserving each case with a position number in the files or other record that corresponds with the number computed (for example, 670 cases 1 100 - 6 . 7; select every sixth case) . 465/VO 2 i ® (iii) If fewer than 100 cases of a filing year are scheduled to be destroyed, all of the cases shall be preserved. (iv) If the records to be destroyed are old, unnumbered cases , the sample shall consist of cases identified by counting the cases (0-9) and preserving each case with a position number in the file or other record that corresponds with the number determined under subdivision (i) or (ii) above, unless fewer than 100 cases are to be destroyed. (2) The "subjective sample" shall consist of at least 2 percent of all cases scheduled to be destroyed, but not fewer than the court records of 20 cases, and shall include (i) all cases accepted for review by the California Supreme Court, ( ii) "fat files" or the thickest perceived case files, and ( iii) cases deemed by the court to be of local, national , or international significance. These cases shall be identified by stamp or mark to distinguish them from the systematic sample . The Judicial Council will provide each court with a list of cases accepted for review by the California Supreme Court each year . [Adopted effective July 1, 1992 . 1 (f) [Sampling technique for courts with one judicial position] Courts with one judicial position will be assigned by the Judicial Council to one of two groups . One court in each group assigned in rotation shall preserve 100 percent of each year ' s court records . Each of the other courts in the group shall preserve a subjective sample of at least 2 percent of all cases scheduled to be destroyed, but not fewer than the court records of 20 cases , and shall include (1) all cases accepted for review by the California Supreme Court , (2) fat files or the thickest perceived case files, and (3) cases deemed by the court to be of local , national , or international significance. These cases shall be identified by stamp or mark to distinguish them from the systematic sample. The Judicial Council will provide each court with a list of cases accepted for review by the ® California Supreme Court each year . [Adopted effective July 1. 1992 . ] I 465/VO 3 r O (g) [Augmented sample) The Judicial Council may designate a consultant to review, under the guidance of .a qualified historian or archivist, court records scheduled for destruction and determine if the court ' s systematic sample should be augmented to improve representation of the variety of cases filed. , The court should give the consultant 60 days ' notice of intent to destroy any court records that it does not plan to retain for the sample. The consultant ' s role shall be advisory to the court . If the consultant determines that the systematic sample does not represent the variety of cases filed in a sample year, the court should select a random sample of cases to augment the systematic sample. Final selection of the court records to • augment the sample shall be determined by the clerk of the superior court . .. - [Adopted effective July 1. 1992 . 1 (h) [Preservation medium] Comprehensive court records under subdivision (b) filed before 1911 shall be preserved in their original paper form unless the paper is not available. ® If practicable, courts should preserve paper records filed after January 1, 1911, because they are preferred by historians and researchers . Courts may, however, reproduce the paper records on microfilm or other electronic or micrographic media, if the records are reproduced and maintained in accordance with archival standards recommended by the American National Standards Institute or the Association for Information and Image Management and the condition of the paper records permits reproduction without damage to the originals . [NOTE: Optical disk storage is not recognized as an archival medium, although it may become so with advances in the technology. ] [Adopted effective July 1. 1992 . 1 (i) [Storage] Until statewide or regional archival facilities are established, each court shall be responsible for maintaining its comprehensive and sample court records in a secure and safe environment consistent with the archival significance of the records . The court may deposit the court ® records in a suitable California archival facility such as a university, college, library, historical society, museum, 465/VO 4 ® archive, or research institution whether publicly supported or privately endowed. The court shall ensure that the records shall be kept and preserved according to commonly recognized archival principles and practices of preservation. [Adopted effective July 1. 1992 . 1 (j ) [Access] The court shall ensure the following : (1) The comprehensive and sample court records shall be made reasonably available to all members of the public. (2) Sealed and confidential records shall be made available only as provided by law. (3) If the records are preserved in a medium other than paper, equipment shall be provided to permit public viewing of the records . (4) Reasonable provision shall be made for duplicating the records at cost . [Adopted effective July 1 . 1992 . 1 (k) [Choosing an archival facility] If a local archival facility is maintaining the court records, the court may ® continue to use that facility' s services if it meets the storage and access requirements under subdivisions (i) and (j ) . If the court solicits archival facilities interested in maintaining the comprehensive and sample court records, the court shall follow the procedures specified under section 69503 . 4 of the Government Code, except that all entities listed under section 69503 . 4(a) shall be notified and the comprehensive and sample court records shall not be destroyed. Courts may enter into an agreement for long-term deposit of records subject to the storage and access provisions of this rule. ( 1) [Reporting requirement] Each superior court shall provide semiannually to the Judicial Council (1) a list by year of filing of the court records destroyed, (2) a list by year of filing and location of the court records of the comprehensive and sample court records preserved, and (3) a list by year of filing and location of the court records transferred to ® entities under section 69503 .4 of the Government Code. [Adopted effective July 1. 1992 . 1 465/VO 5 _R 1 •W SrL ��.. ��h C__' ° � gel •� 1 syy' � z 4 SSL..•: RESIDENCE AND RANCH of JOSEPH PFISTER, f l$OLE,CONTNA COSTA CO. CAL.. a s r � fx�Y;� 1✓ c } s � r i 1 r r , ( ` 1 TV MIMI s C 4 rta t",l fr° e+ } "ti i• i t �y tis* 'S ��t • W! 'Yj �.y�� :�'���r#� SH�'tat�yi �t�-t� - All is 1' F , Cyt, r s t i t i n. ■■ y s L"t� t-A� t�-�' i }_�s " �.r'i ���l1t��st�"�y t i2 i f � t- y ! A Message: 4 To: cchistry@ix.netcom.com From: nilda rego <nilda@ccnet.com> Subject: revised presentation Date: Fri, 6 Jun 1997 0$:56:40-0700 (PDT) Presentation before the Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors Re: Contra Costa County Historical Society June 10,1997 Good morning My name is Nilda Rego. I am a local history columnist for the Contra Costa newspapers. My column"Days Gone By"appears every Saturday in the Contra Costa Times, the West County Times and the Valley Times. I am here this morning to talk about access, specifically the ease of access. You have heard about the marvelous treasure of old documents located in the basement of the old Martinez Post Office. These date back to the last century. They represent a wonderful resource for the people of Contra Costa County and they are next to impossible to access. In order to get to these documents, assuming you know they are there you have to call ahead (if you know whom to call). It is not always easy to figure that out, especially with the centrex push one or two or whatever button. Then when you have figured out you need to talk to the administrative clerk of the superior court you make an appointment. On the appointed time and day you go to the basement of the Hall of Records, stand in line in front of the glass barrier and tell one of the clerks your mission. This kind of procedure is probably repeated in other departments when you do historic searches whether it is for old maps, old health docutments or whatever. Now we realize this quest for historic information is not what your employees have been hired to do. They are extremely busy with current business and documents. The day members of our Contra Costa County Historical Society Board went to view these documents we had an appointment;but we were still interrupting the flow of usual business. The administrative clerk was working on the budget. She had to find another person to take us to the post office. We stayed in the basement checking out thedocuments for 20 minutes. The clerk,your employee,stayed with us as she should have. We interrupted her work too. I know that. She had other things to do. She didn't know what was in that basement. I don't know how many people on your staff know what documents are in that basement or how to ® help people find what they need to know from these documents. Again this isn't their job. We,the Contra Costa County Historical Society History Center staff of volunteers are prepared to help you and the people of this county access these materials. We have the knowledge, the expertise to preserve these documents, to help people find out what they want to know from these documents and to provide access. But we need your help too. We need more room for these materials. That is why we wanted you to come and see the History Center and its collections to see what a grand resource we have and how crowded we are. We desperately need more room. Help us. Help yourselves. Help the people of this county. We are suggesting a resolution and hope you will consider it. SUGGESTED RESOLUTION FOR THE CONTRA COSTA COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS June 3, 1997 WHEREAS it has come to our attention that there is a serious need to preserve, protect and make accessible many archival documents, court ledgers and other materials now held by the County of Contra Costa, AND WHEREAS the Judicial Council of California Rule#243.5 states that all items up to and including 1911 must be kept intact and items from 1912 to 1949 should be kept, O AND WHEREAS the Contra Costa County Historical Society has been previously designated the Official Historical Society of Contra Costa County, and have indicated their willingness to accept the responsibility and custody of such documents as needed and on a regular basis, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that efforts be made to provide as quickly as possible, working and storage space to the Contra Costa County Historical Society's History Center and that such space be adequate for their current holdings and future acquisitions. •v� cd E u o 3 v -o 0 as v E u o " px •.7 N �$ G Ems . .0 ` O r m x O 7 m •p m O•d.0 p�OD=u C wa. 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H. BROWX, Clerk of the Supren* Court of the State of California, do hereby ! certify that the forefoinff is a true copy of an original judgment _-------------------I----_--------.entered in the above entitled cause,on the...o---- -..day i of..-.----�G% ------------ 18911—, and now remaininff:of record in my office. I Witness my hand and the seal of the Court, affixed at my -da _...... ..__,y of- .4. D. 189. r -- - Clerk. 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'� S .n � � � i7. T �4; "Y�E r e �� k �l /Y d u $ e�% iia •i ,I � Ir ��'' t r+I�iiiflilfj�;P �':� n r.Fx' a F }1 / I •. 1 � 14 .i t n �v�.) 1 Ix i .n L �= f^ Z N.•... L.•..... �.... N S(' •wwl ;Zr ~:' ell M."Iloilo In Q tm �� ,:.i� ,;"1 Pt,�tk�1�y'I kyf Yf[ � 4 '. _, � � i• Kw v• ����� ' �,x _ ;":;aa".�...�:.x ��...;, ,., � 'rte;:? :' •::.e3sLnu�-seae�c':,sy-� +.rr.sW�. Rel{, yy �Y � ,':4 f i:~•+ ,� �1.f ' _ .., ', /("'i j'' $ `:tom ' S ..r �y, kv -baa• ,R'e�� � .. .•s. a aik .} ; �ti'- - .�.04 t Y IWO r. costa Cod BULLETIN ! 1700 Oak Park Blvd. Pleasant Hill, CA Room C-5 94523 eCoi'ical S00 April 1997 PONY bamEss PLAQUE DEDICATED A mm 27 MARK YOUR CALENDARS A monument commemorating the presence Wr MEMBERSHIP of the Pony Express in Contra '�+ MEETING/LUNCHEON Costa County will be unveiled The now-familiar colorful in Martinez on April 27. This t' flyer has been received and all long-overdue plaque will necessary arrangements have been recognize the fact that on nearly made for the momentous First Membership Meeting/Luncheon of two dozen occasions, Pony 1997. The date is Saturday April 19. Express riders carried the mail overland from Martinez to Oakland and Details appear on the back page. on to San Francisco. Honoring the Pony Express with a plaque is a major accomplishment for the Contra Costa County Historical Society, GOODIES DONATED especially for its past president, Roy Bloss, authority on the Pony TO SCA Express,author of several books on the subject,and the primary force The Board of Directors voted behind this project. at its January meeting to donate several Dedication ceremonies will take place at the Main Street items to a fundraising raffle conducted yearly by the Society of California Fountain on Sunday,April 27 at 3:30pm. George Miller,member of the Archivists. This Endowment Drawing United States House of Representatives from California, will be the is a delightful highlight of their keynote speaker. Annual Meeting. The Board agreed to participate again this year by sending three of our limited edition Pony Board Elects New Officers Express t-shirts, one of George Emanuels' handsome books about During its monthly meeting on January 7, 1997 the Board of Contra Costa County,and a copy of our Directors elected the following as officers of the Contra Costa County recently-reprinted Clayton: Not Quite Historical Society: Shangri-La. President Mary-Ellen Jones 1st Vice President Kathleen Mero 2nd Vice President Lucille Irish HISTORIC NEWSPAPERS Secretary Nilda Rego There are still copies available Treasurer Anthony Dehaesus of two historic newspapers: the Both officers and board members invite suggestions for the Centennial Edition of the Contra Costa Gazette, published in 1958-1959, and improvement of meetings and all other aspects of our Society. Leave the Morning News Gazette, published a message at the History Center, send a letter outlining your ideas, in 1976. These rare newspapers are recommendations and complaints,or better yet,come to a membership available at the History Center at no meeting or a board meeting and share your thoughts in person. Board charge. meetings are held at the History Center at 7:30p.m.on the first Tuesday of the month. 2 FACTS CONCERNING THE ANNOUNCEMENTS CONTRA COSTA COUNTY JUST DO IT! HISTORY CENTER In its never-ending attempt to The Contra Costa County History Center maintains custody of and achieve total efficiency by responding provides access to a major archival collection documenting the history of to correspondence as quickly as the County. possible, the conscientious staff of the History Center earnestly requests that Consisting of letters,diaries,manuscripts of writings,legal records, all mail be directed to our Oak Park photographs, maps, newspapers, periodicals, and books, the collection is address listed on the back page of the being cataloged,preserved, and made available to researchers according to Bulletin. Whenever Barbara Dear approved archival methods as established by the Society of American selfishly takes a vacation and cannot Archivists, the Society of California Archivists, and other professional pick up our mail at the Concord Post organizations. office it smolders there until she Most of the documents in the History Center collections exist only chooses to return. in this repository. They are unique and of inestimable value. They are administered by a professional archivist with twenty-five years experience ORPHANED with The Bancroft Library at the University of California at Berkeley. HOLLINGER CARTONS Because the entire staff of the History Center is knowledgeable concerning j the use of sound archival methods, preservation for future generations of SEEK NEW HOMES the material in its custody is assured to a degree found in few, if any, A major project to re-house comparable county repositories. documents in smaller boxes for easier access has resulted in a number of acid- free, vermin-resistent, sturdy, archival Pure eggs for hatching. White. A flying base ball collided with storage cartons becoming available at Black,and Brown Legborns, Houdan. Louis Bush a few days since, giving the History Center. Designed for either ) Langshan,Plymouth Rock and Black him a very black eye as a reminder of letter or legal files,these containers are Minorca Price$1 to$1.50. the game. No serious results are WEITZ&WOOD, likely to follow, although the blow a must for the safe storage of • feb11 Danville.Oal. was a severe one, irreplaceable records.The price is$3..50 each, a two dollar savings over new MARTINEZ GAZETTE APRIL 8, 1893 cartons. r----------------------------------------t cs...eta C. I MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION I I ® A NON-PROFIT I CORPORATION 0 NEW 0 RENEW GIFT DATE y� $o . FOUNDED APRIL30, 1951 •�'lo�l c NAME(S) I I I I CONTRA COSTA COUNTY ADDRESS I I HISTORICAL SOCIETY I 1700 OAK PARK BLVD RM C-5 CITY ZIP+ PLEASANT HILL,CA 94523 PHONE 510/939-9180 FAX 510/939-4832 PHONE FAX I I WE INVITE YOU TO VISIT E-MAIL I OUR HISTORY CENTER {MEMBERS ENJOY FREE RESEARCH PRIVILEGES} HISTORY-RESEARCH-GENEALOGY I -ARCHIVES INCLUDE- HISTORY CENTER HOURS DUES MAPS-TAX LEDGERS-BOOKS {ALWAYS CALL TO CONFIRM} ANNUAL LIFE COURT CASES-NEWSPAPERS _INDIVIDUAL$15 _INDIVIDUAL$200 35,000 PHOTOGRAPHS/NEGATIVES/SLIDES MON&FRI-9AM TO 12:30PM _COUPLE$25 _COUPLE$250 OBIT FILES-SOIL SURVEY AERIALS-BIO FILES TUES/WED/THURS 9AM TO 3PM —SPONSOR$35{ANNUAL} ALSO BY APPOINTMENT _CORPORATE$250{ANNUAL} L———————— —————————————————————————————J P HIS TOR ' We're Full of It! Betty Maffei,Director,History Center FLASHES * We have received many e-mail requests for information about Contra Costa County. Several County residents have asked for membership information. FROM Our Web page, created for us by Ron Mero, has resulted in contact from clients THE throughout the world. PHOTO * Nilda Rego's column, Days Gone By, appearing in the Contra Costa Times also brings requests for additional information. The most recent request, _ DEPT concerning a man who died sitting against a tree in Clayton,brought a letter from a researcher looking for the Tubbs family.Tubbs employed the man who died. We A SPACE FOR EVERYTHING— were able to supply further information for them And everything to fill its space! * The grandson and great-granddaughter of John Bermingham(owner of One hundred and fifty years ago there Hercules Powder Works) arrived at our office. He lives in Hawaii and she in was room for all in the vast expanse of Oregon.'They found photographs of the family home and the Powder Works,and Contra Costa County. There was fertile a will of another family member. Dr. Joseph Mariotti of Pinole agreed to meet soil for many forms of agriculture,the them,show them various sites,and share his personal collection about the business orchards, vegetable fields, wheat * Professional researchers have been working on the Pt.lsabell area and ranches, and the vineyards and ample the Glass house in San Ramon. In both cases, the History Center has had ample area for industries, fishing, mining, information to help with their projects. petroleum,paper-making,sugarrefining * Watch for the new Sunday Contra Costa Times. They have decided to and steel fabrication. There was plentyof room for people too! Our pioneer use some of our photographs for their sections. folk came from many countries and * The Pony Express plaque will be dedicated on April 27 at 3:30 p in.in represented all races.They found ample Martinez. George Miller will be the keynote speaker. The event will be held at the area for building their residences and fountain on Main Street. their towns with schools, churches, * Grace McNeill of El Cerrito has joined the staff of the Center. Her parks and businesses — Main Street r�1 experiences as a librarian at the Central Library in El Cerrito are most welcome. USA. * We are still waiting for clippers to arrive. We have the papers...lots of Now,we find a different view them,the scissors,and the chairs. All we need is the eager person(s)willing to sit of our county land;it's smaller,with not in the chair,use the scissors,and clip,clip,clip! so much open space as we would wish. * Bev Clemson continues to "free-up" space for new collections and However, here at the History Center, works diligently on every research request we receive. Her latest has taken two we can prove that such was not alwaysthe case. Our PHOTO COLLECTION months but she keeps finding more information. Her client is delighted. provides ample evidence of the way it With so many collections, so many researchers, and so much technical was and our archives offer written equipment in so little space, we are certain Louis Stein and Justice Bray would be history of the past. proud. In our photo files,you will find early views of the great expanses of untouched land and images showing the subsequent filling of this land. In fact,you can enjoy noting the growth of your own town by studying some of the thousands of photos we have cataloged for you. Many of these are also on a slides which can be reproduced along with any of the photos which are of µ: interest to you. Every area from gym. Alamo to Ygnacio Valley and beyond are represented in our files! a. We will be delighted to see you in the History Center Office. Join, enjoy,and learn about your county. On another note, please keep RIM � g sending county shots which you no longer wish to keep;an identification of -' date, place and family name (if s � f applicable) will earn you our undying gratitude. Your gift of your treasured photos receives our heartfelt thanks. MDUNT DIABLo FROM VICINITY of GREEN VALLEY To STONE VALLEY ROADS Jean Kenyon June Whitsides Tillie and Bill.Larkins 4 MYSTERY PHOTOGRAPH #4 ' These young people are entirely too charming to remain in the History Center's photo file under: Groups, unidentified,n.d. Please examine each face carefully. Perhaps someone will recognize a very When processing young grandparent or other relative or friend. Does the house look material for computer input at � familiar- or the fence? _-How the History about the dog? Solve this mystery and y Center one become the proud owner of one of our historic Pony Express t-shirts occasionally runs across something a bit different. Let's look at the probate vouchers for Simon Wolf,aresident of Antioch y who died in 1878. There are 44 .� vouchers in the folder-some for substantial amounts, so the inference is that the deceased had w �' a successful business. It is described as general merchandise." Annette Wolf, executrix of the estate and presumably fp Simon's widow,submitted to the zfi court a rather unusual claim. It is headed"money disbursed by Mrs. ' Wolf for mourning." Here are her purchases:From D.Samuels, 15 yards of cashmere plus a half l"Oh INALE -- 80 MIEN',' F125 PER ACI-E; dozen handkerchiefs - from 1 Choice fruit land near, Monte Diablo. Addrem AiKS. Leszinsky Brothers, 20 yards of CLARA U. POTIV N, 011culd,COUL13 eta COMAY, cashmereplusbuttonsandlinings iuy'7 hil - from Mrs. Blochman, 4 hats plus a bonnet-from`Bien"three S.F. MORNING CALL MAY 23, 1885 pairs of kid gloves - from Kiezenthals 4 pairs of shoes. To Miss Lizzie Rowe $20 was paid for making dresses. The sum f, total was $100, a considerable amount 119 years ago. �u Normally bills allowed by the probate judge are for debts of the deceased,plus costs of burial, and until the close of escrow the n, -� only family expenses usually approved are for necessities. But in this case it appears the judge agreed that under the .._;. circumstances a bit of self- indulgence was not inappropriate. PAVING MAIN STREET, WALNUT CREEK OCTOBER 1921 Andrew H. Young i � 5 FROM THE EDITOR9S FILE HISTORIC EXHIBIT IN CLAYTON Mary-Ellen Jones Some of you were probably as _ bowled over as I was to read in the �I December Bulletin: "Martinez -- ' Garage Yields Forgotten Treasurers." I have suspected for - ��jj some time that the Contra Costa ❑ ,..,, County Historical Society is becoming a force to be reckoned with, but unearthing defunct 6101 Main government officials is definitely outside the parameter of our .The staff of the Clayton expanding capabilities, to say nothing of our bylaws. To be sure, all Historical Society prepares an resurrection efforts must be focused on ferreting out documentation relating impressive historic exhibit four to our past. times a year in their Museum at Speaking of documents relating to our past,last November I attended 6101 Main Street. Their current the wonderful 33rd Semiannual Book and Paper Collectors Fair in Berkeley. Although my purpose in going was to search for tombstone and exhibit, on display through May cemetery ephemera,these fairs are great fun even for non-collectors,if such 25, is THE CELTS featuring people exist. Over fifty dealers had booths crammed with every type of Margaret McLay Clayton, terrific material relating to any subject you can name. I bought several dozen Fintry,Scotland. Museum hours L� postcards and a few invoices,and then spent three or four hours talking with are 2:00 to 4:00 Wednesday and dealers and friends and looking at all the fascinating things around me. Sunday or by appointment,(5 10) My point is this: History is created in many forms - pamphlets, 672-0240. books, invoices, postcards, menus, certificates and diplomas, brochures, railroad and bus tickets and timetables, maps, photographs, business letterheads, school report cards, city and county directories and telephone books, and, of course, correspondence. These items are important by themselves and often of greater value when examined in conjunction with DIED WITH AN=011 TIED TO>;iMs NEM related materials. Joseph Spalding, an old time Because the History Center's budget precludes expenditures for miner.but more recently a bar tender Contra Costa documents, it is vital that members search their attics and for Frank Emmons at Port Costa, die- appeared on'March bth, and no clue closets and donate to the History Center their treasured bits of was obtained as to his whereabouts attheehsadtowa,irreplaceable history. wh timid this yws Perhaps a few figures might help illustrate not only the historic found floating in the straits at Port Costa. A piece of iron weighing value of ephemera but also-its monetary value. Prices of postcards range thirty-nine pounds was died to his of from one dollar up,mostly up. One dealer priced his substantial collection neck by a stout cord, but spite � this tact the body rose to the surface at$12.50 to$20.00 each. An image of the LaSalle Institute in Martinez was and was.floating toward the ocean when$18.00. Invoices and letter head sell for $10.00 and u Chambers of summodanddiscovered. Coroner Curry was P• summoned and Impannelled a jury, commerce and other promotional brochures were $10.00 to $30.00 each. the verdict rendered being that. the Automobile road maps dating from the 1950s and later were$3.00 to$5.00. th t elicited lecea deco proved au cede o He Older maps were appreciably higher. Photographs run from sometimes is supposed to have become desponfl- ent on account of his financial reasonably priced to out of sight, mostly the latter. troubles,and tied the iron to his neck To further convince everyone to view items found around the house that there might be ino n escape for him after he plunged inescape the muddy with greater respect instead of thoughtlessly discarding what appears to be note epf theted, straitsas . Foul p l pling hails old junk, I cite the following:A 1929 Times-Minor reprint of Newmark's no enemies,and enjoyed the respect 1850 Census of the City and County of Los Angeles,California is listed of his associates, all of whom had a mosin a Sacramento dealer's catalog at$125.00. The dealer's note states: "First 64 yearsnofy ly reelioq for him. He was Y � Edition miraculously recovered in 1915 from a pile of burning rubbish three miles from San Fernando Mission by Mr.Cecil B.de Mille(of motion MARTINEZ GAZETTE picture fame)." ApPuL 8, 1893 Please join us in helping preserve our past. 6 MEETINGS, PAST & FUTURE, OF THE CONFERENCE OF CALIFORNIA HISTORICAL SOCIETIES Although I often state that I go to Southern California only with a gun at my head,I ventured to Ontario on March 26 to attend the Southern Symposium of the Conference. In one a. sense,I did have a gun at my head because the editorship of the y Historian was to be the major business of the Publications Committee. I definitely did not want the job,so felt compelled to be there to steer discussion toward someone else-anyone else. My plan succeeded. Hosted by the Associated Historical Societies of Los s Angeles County,the meeting was excellent. All sessions were held within our comfortable Country Suites hotel,a thoughtful ' arrangement especially appreciated by the geographically _ impaired. The theme of the Symposium, Preserving the History of Your Community, was carried out by four outstanding workshops dealing with videotaping,genealogical research methods, copying historic photographs, and oral history methodology. The accompanying syllabus is exceptional. A copy can be consulted at the History Center. Saturday afternoon's bus tour was wonderful. We visited the Yorba-Slaughter Adobe,the oldest standing adobe " in San Bernardino County(1852);toured Graber Olive House and processing plant(1894);and explored the Casa de Rancho Cucamonga/John Rains House (1860). The Graber House tour was fascinating because of the insight it provided into turn-of-the-century production methods. The building has been altered very little and Graber olives continue to be cured and packaged essentially as was done when the plant was built. j The 1997 Annual Meeting of the Conference will be ; held in Chico, June 12-15. This delightful college town is within easy driving distance of Contra Costa County.Originally SCENE AT THE YORBA-SLAUGHTER ADOBE, OLDEST a Spanish land grant,made in 1843 to one William Dickey,the STANDING ADOBE IN SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY rancho was purchased several years later by overland pioneer (1852). John Bidwell. Yreka will host the 1997 Northern Symposium next October 3-5. Located about 300 miles north, this historic mining center began in the spring of 1851. Siskiyou County is beautiful in the fall,and Yreka is well worth a trek north. Call the History Center or me about a month before these meetings to learn about both programs. Come to Chico and Yreka for delightful days ` experiencing history. ' Mary-Ellen.Tones Regional Vice Presidents Contra Costa County ` (510)254-2295 FAX.(510)254-2859 CONFERENCE ATTENDEES LISTEN CAREFULLY AS AN EMPLOYEE OF THE GRABER OLIVE HOUSE.DESCRIBES HOA' OLIVES ARE PROCESSED IN THEIR 1894 PLANT. P GEms FRom mEDOROTHYMUTNICK • • THE SQUIRREL LAW The Moraga Land Association has been incorporated in San Francisco to deal in lands in Contra Costa and Alameda counties. The Directors are Angus A. Grant, Selections from the Contra Costa Lewis A.Grant,John A.Burton,Arthur Burton and Edward Dexter.Capital stock, Gazette of August 22 and 15,1874: $1,000,000 divided into 10,000 shares of which five have been subscribed.These are the parties who made the recent purchase of the Moraga Ranch.We were informed Sec. 1 Squirrels infesting at the time the deed was recorded that it was their intention to put surveyors in the lands in the Counties of Contra Costa field at once and divide the land up into convenient parcels,and have since learned and Alameda are hereby declared to that the work is now going on as rapidly as possible.It is said to be the intention of the new owners to lay out a town at some suitable place,and that efforts will be made be public nuisance. TO BE to colonize it with families from the east. . . DESTROYED BY LAND Contra Costa Gazette. 711311889 OWNERS - OR, IN CASE OF THEIR NEGLECT, BY PUBLIC The surveyors are steadily at work subdividing . . .There is talk of a branch of the AGENTS - EXPENSE TO BE A California and Nevada running into Moraga, and the fact that one of the principal LIEN ON THE LAND. (This law, owners of that tract has a contract for building the road to the point where a branch which continued for 21 sections, would connect, . . .points to something more than a mere accidental connection .. was eventually declared Contra Costa Gazette. 91711889 unconstitutional.) At the valley of Moraga and Willows the farmers have severed all connection with TO EDITORS OF CONTRA civilization,the roads in all directions being blockaded.I also found the farmers of COSTA GAZETTE - Dear Sirs: In that section in a state of apprehensiveness. The cause was the appearance of an your issue of August 8th, I saw Mr. inspector from Alameda,a member of the Board of Health.He left strict orders with every farmer living on the water sheds that feed the reservoirs from which water is Hammitt's "open letter" to Captain taken for public use,to remove their barns,pig-pens,etc.,200 feet from any stream Small, answering the supposed or gutter that carries water during the rainy season.That they must comply with this objections he and others had to the request within twenty days after the time of notification and no more,under penalty Squirrel Nuisance Abatement Law, of prosecution by the State.The penalty is imprisonment or a$1,000 fine or both. passed by the last Legislature. I have Time will be up in a few days, and not one removal, but many consultations with had no consultation with Captain some of the ablest attorneys in the State. Small,thereforethis isnothis answer, Contra Costa Gazette, 211311897 but my own,to the explanation given by Mr. Hammit in the four FOR SALE-A BARGAIN propositions mentioned. The first ONE-ELEVENTH INTEREST of the RANCHO DE PINOLE, comprising fully supposed objection I have nothing to fifteen hundred acres.Also,the House,Vineyard,and improvements made on that say about,nor have I any objection to portion occupied by Vincente Martinez, and later by L. Franklin, near the town of make on the constitutional question; Martinez. Terms of payment easy. Apply to EDWARD FRANKLIN Real Estate nor shall I object to the third Agent,corner Sacramento and Battery Sts. San Francisco proposition. But, to the fourth - I Contra Costa Gazette.412811860 confess entertaining an objection to a law that gives a right of coming on PONY EXPRESS. my farm and into my field with a CLASSIC company of irresponsible men,with Office, Montgomery street, their poison and shotguns,to straggle GRAPHICS at will through my stock and stubble CHANGE OF TARIFF DESKTOP PUBLISHING& fields, where one spark of powder, PROM T1118 DATZ ws GRAPHIC DESIGN or one match carelessly or WILL FORWARD accidentally dropped, may conveyCHERYL HELLER destruction to my house,barn,fences AIIAB.TE$ OUNCE LETTERS 707) 746-5889 and all provender,and,consequently t'b'rd"R the some for" w eb .dd1Uea.1 ao.roisn"or hacUot thereof. CALL FOR AN ESTIMATE ON to the stock. This is no visionary The Coorlr w1U lM.n MeL description.Three times last summer Wedncsday and(Saturday, YOUR PROJECT TODAY P the L:prue doaar at SR P.M. my fields were fired by powder from `°'`-u J.L,xeemr.AML trespassing gun shot. 8 Coo laid a cee7.+ .. MEMBERSHIP MEETING CONTRA COSTA COUNTY Luncheon & Lecture HISTORICAL SOCIETY Randall Milliken,Ph.D. Officers Joyce Dye had President.............Mary-Ellen Jones romised Sharon Richter of the h 1st Vice Pres............ Kathleen Mero East Bay Genealogical Society SPEAKER:Randall Milliken,Ph.D. 2nd Vice Pres...............Lucille Irish to look up William Tubb at the Author&Expert Secretary .......................Nilda Rego on S.F.Bay Area Indigenous People Treasurer...........Anthony Dehaesus Contra Costa County History Center. Imagine Dye's Directors surprise to find part of her SUBJECT:................Tribal Culture Frank Bray ........................Martinez work all done for her when in Contra Costa County Beverly Clemson ......Walnut Creek she opened up the Contra Tom Crews........................Concord Costa Times on March 9. Right DATE: ..... Saturday,April 19, 1997 Barbara Dear................. Concord there in Nilda Re o's Da Anthony Dehaesus ....Walnut Creek g �.-s TIME: 11:30a.m.No-host cocktails Ruth Dyer........................Lafayette GOwas a story about 12Noon Luncheon&Speaker Lucille Irish...............Walnut Creek Preacher Tubb and a photo of Mary-Ellen Jones.................Orinda Tubb's house in Alamo. Dye MENU:Herb Marinated Chicken Breast Betty Maffei .............Walnut Creek attributes the coincidence to Dean McLeod.................Bay Point LOCATION:..................Sheraton Hotel Kathleen Mero..................Concord ESP. Rego says the credit 45 John Glenn Drive Nilda Rego .........................Moraga belongs to Bev Clemson, Concord Constance Rehr..................Clayton Contra Costa County History Dolores Ricks...................Martinez Center volunteer, who found RESERVATIONS: ..... Send check Michael Walford...............Concord for $19.00 per person to Beverly the strange story of Tubb arid Clemson, CCCHS, 1700 Oak Park passed e old p d hthld CBlvd., Room C-5, Pleasant Hill, CA j Costa County Gazette while 94523. Please send your check,pay= HlstOry'Cent�er she was filing at the center. All able to CCCHS, by the deadline to ;1700 OakPark"'Blvd. reserve your place. = " kinds of stories lurk in the files Rm. C 5 �rry.R at the center. Come and have RESERVATIONS ARE DUE BY Pleasant Hill'CA 94523- a look. MONDAY,APRIL 14,1997. F (510) 939-9180 Nilda Rego FAX (5101939-4832 COPYRIGHT 1996 BY THE CONTRA Cosra COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY. CONTRA COSTA COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY ' - NONPROFIT ORG. 1700 Oak Park Blvd., Room C-5 U.S. POSTAGE Pleasant Hill, California 94523 PAID CONCORD, CA PERMIT NO. 630 �1