Finding aid for Oliva, Henry J. papers, 1835-1974
MVC093
Finding aid prepared by Ali Phelps under the supervision of Hannah Rogers, 2024.
This finding aid was made possible in part through funding from the County of Ventura and the Heritage Fund at the Ventura
County Community Foundation.
Museum of Ventura County
January, 2024
100 East Main Street
Ventura, CA 93001
Business Number: (805) 653-0323 (Extension: 320)
library@venturamuseum.org
Contributing Institution:
Museum of Ventura County
Title: Henry J. Oliva papers
Creator:
Oliva, Henry J., 1901-1986
Identifier/Call Number: MVC093
Physical Description:
1.74 Cubic Feet
(1 carton, 2 legal-sized document boxes)
Date (inclusive): circa 1860 -1974
Abstract: Henry J. Oliva was a lifelong resident of Ventura County and worked as an accountant in the same office in downtown Ventura
from 1933 to 1986. He was involved in many local organizations throughout his life such as the Ventura Elks Lodge, Ventura
County Baseball Club, Native Sons of the Golden West and the Greater Ventura Chamber of Commerce. This collection is predominantly
historical photographs of Ventura County along with receipts, legal documents, and ledgers from his professional and personal
life.
Physical Location: COLLECTION STORED ON-SITE: Stored at the MVC Research Library. Requests do not have to be made in advance, but researchers
MUST make a research appointment on the
Research Library website .
Language of Material:
English
.
Conditions Governing Access
Open for research. Advance requests can be made to Research Library staff via email.
Conditions Governing Reproduction and Use
Property rights to the physical object belong to the Museum of Ventura County. Literary rights, including copyright, are retained
by the MVC.
Preferred Citation
[Identification of item], Henry J. Oliva papers, MVC093, Museum of Ventura County, Research Library, Ventura, California.
Provenance/Source of Acquisition
Joan C. Oliva; gift; 1988 and Henry Oliva II; gift; 1988
Processing Information
Processed by Ali Phelps under the supervision of Hannah Rogers, 2024.
Our collections are processed using MPLP methods so that we can prioritize access for users and identify potential priorities
for more detailed processing. If while using our collections you think there is something that should be added or amended
in the finding aid, we welcome your input. You can notify staff in the reading room or send us an email at library@venturamuseum.org.
Be sure to include the collection number and name and the box number you were working with in your email.
Biographical / Historical
Henry J. Oliva was born on February 19, 1901, to Joseph Oliva and Nellie Candida Oliva, both residents of Santa Paula. His
father owned a saloon in Santa Paula and his mother died shortly after his birth. He was the grandchild of Giovanni and Maria
Raffetto, who immigrated to the United States in the late nineteenth century from Italy and were active and prominent citizens
in Ventura County. He was employed by the Bank of Italy in downtown Ventura until he opened his own accounting practice beneath
the El Nido Hotel in 1933. He worked in that same office until his death at age eighty-five in 1986. He was active in many
local organizations such as the Ventura Elks Lodge, Ventura County Baseball Club, and the Greater Ventura Chamber of Commerce.
Scope and Contents
These records are largely comprised of photographs depicting people, organizations, businesses, residences and scenic views
of Ventura County in the first half of the twentieth century.They have been organized by theme. There are also documents and
ledgers pertaining to Oliva's professional life as an accountant.
Organization and Arrangement
The materials had been loosely organized prior to the current arrangement. Post-it notes were used to indicate possible names,
years and places for many of the photos. This information has not been confirmed.
General
These records contain cellulose nitrate and acetate negatives. Due to their volitility, all negatives in this collection should
be handled with care. Please see MVC staff for further guidance.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Santa Paula (Calif.) -- History
Historic Buildings -- California -- Ventura County -- Photographs
Ledgers
Business enterprises -- California -- Ventura County
Petroleum industry and trade -- California -- Ventura County
Fairs -- Ventura County
Box 1, Folder 3
Ivy Lawn Cemetery Association
1932
Box 1, Folder 4
Native Sons of the Golden West
1920-1938
Box 1, Folder 5
Rincon Associates, Inc.
1931-1937
Carton 3, Folder 6
Ventura Associates, Inc.
1927-1977
Box 1, Folder 7
Miscellaneous papers
1929 -1964
Box 1, Folder 8
Business, residence, church and school photographs (1 of 2)
circa 1860s - 1936
Box 1, Folder 9
Business, residence, church and school photographs (2 of 2)
circa 1860s - 1936
Box 1, Folder 10
Business, residence, church and school photograph negatives
circa 1860s - 1936
Box 2, Folder 11
People and organization photographs (1 of 2)
circa 1873-1939
Box 2, Folder 12
People and organization photographs (2 of 2)
circa 1873-1939
Box 2, Folder 13
People and organization photograph negatives
circa 1873-1939
Box 2, Folder 14
Oil and petroleum photographs
circa 1928-1958
Box 2, Folder 15
Ventura County landscape and map photographs
circa 1892-1929
Box 2, Folder 16
Coast highway and car crash photographs
circa 1911-1927
Carton 3
Frank Russell account book
1942 - 1951
Carton 3
National Theatre record book
1928 September 23 - 1929 September 8
Carton 3
C.D. Fosnaugh Co. minute book.
1925 November 11 - 1926 August 30
Carton 3
Ventura County telephone directory
1958
Carton 3
Ventura Investment Co. account book
1928-1930
