Collection Guide
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Guide to the Blochman Family Collection
MS 11
MS 11
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Table of contents
Title: Blochman Family Collection
Identifier/Call Number: MS 11
Contributing Institution:
San Diego History Center Document Collection
Language of Material:
English
Physical Description:
0.25 Linear feet
(1 box)
Date: 1894-1976
Abstract: This collection contains materials related to Blochman Family history including correspondence and personal items. There is
a small amount of material regarding Temple Tifereth Israel and Hyman S. Wolf.
creator:
Blochman, Lawrence
This collection contains materials related to Blochman Family history including correspondence and personal items. The materials
consist of correspondence, newspaper and magazine articles, newsletters, admission cards, photographs and an autograph album.
Most of the correspondence in this collection is primarily related to Blochman family history. Many letters exist within the
collection between Lawrence Blochman (Larry), his sister Nathalie Levine (Nat), his wife Marguerite (Guite) and Trudie Casper,
the San Diego Historical Society volunteer who researched the Blochman family. There are many items relating to Lawrence Blochman’s
writing. Little material pertains to the activities of Abraham Blochman.
There is a small amount of material regarding Temple Tifereth Israel and Hyman S. Wolf. The connection is not apparent between
the Blochman family and Temple Tifereth Israel or Hyman S. Wolf other than their Jewish heritage.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Accession number 751217 (autograph album of Mina Blochman).
The majority of correspondence in folder 1 is handwritten.
Collection processed by Jennifer Vanoni on March 28, 2013.
The San Diego History Center (SDHC) holds the copyright to any unpublished materials. SDHC Library regulations do apply.
This collection is open for research.
Blochman Family Collection, MS 11, San Diego History Center Document Collection, San Diego, CA.
Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements
Fragile papers in Folders 1, 2, 3 and 4 with some glue staining. Autograph album is in fragile condition. (March 2013).
The collection is arranged by series:
Series I: Correspondence
Series II: Blochman Family
Series III: Lawrence Blochman
Series IV: Temple Tifereth Israel/Hyman S. Wolf
Biographical / Historical Notes
The Blochmans were a prominent San Diego banking family. Led by Abraham Blochman, who arrived in San Diego in 1881, the family
was involved in banking and commercial activities. Abraham was the founder of San Diego Building & Loan and the Blochman Banking
Company. In 1912, the Blochman Banking Company merged with Security Commercial & Savings Bank. In addition to his banking
activities, Abraham served as president of Temple Beth Israel and served as acting French Consul in San Diego for over 30
years (1882-1912).
Abraham’s grandson, Lawrence G. Blochman, was a noted author. He wrote over 40 novels and served as president of the Mystery
Writers of America. Born in San Diego, he served as Sports Page Editor for the San Diego Tribune before returning to fiction.
During World War I, Lawrence served in the Office of War Information and was chief of the Radio Program Bureau for Voice of
America. He died in New York in 1975.
Hyman S. Wolf came to San Diego about 1901 and was a business and civic leader and a moving force in Zionism and other Jewish
affairs. He was a shoe store proprietor, associated with real estate and in 1912, built the St. James Hotel with his brother
and cousin. Wolf was a co-founder of Temple Tifereth Israel.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Blochman, Abraham
Blochman, Haidee G.
Blochman, Lucien
Blochman, Marguerite
Blochman, Mina
Brust, Mae
Brust, Paul
Casper, Trudie
Levine, Nathalie
Sarassin, Rabbi Leopold
Wolf, Hyman S.
Banks and banking
Blochman Banking Company
Expositions -- California -- San Diego
San Diego Building & Loan
Sarassin Family Crest
Security Commercial & Savings Bank
St. James Hotel
Temple Beth Israel
Temple Tifereth Israel
Writing