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Guide to the Rousseau Family Papers
MS 44
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Table of contents
Title: Rousseau family papers
Dates: 1904-1958
Collection number: MS 44
Creator:
Rousseau family.
Collection Size:
.1 linear feet
(1 box)
Repository:
African American Museum & Library at Oakland (Oakland, Calif.)
Oakland, CA 94612
Abstract: The Rousseau family was a family musical ensemble consisting of husband and wife, Walter H. and Margaret Rousseau, and their
seven children: Anna E. Rousseau, James L. Rousseau, Charles P. Rousseau, Milton T. Rousseau, Margaret Rousseau, and Green
M. Rousseau. Beginning the 1910s, the family began performing at church and vaudeville theater venues throughout California,
including a four month long performance at the Panama-California International Exposition in San Diego, California in 1915-1916.
The Rousseau family papers include photographs, correspondence, and contracts that document the musical performances and business
activities of the Rousseau family.
Languages:
Languages represented in the collection:
English
No access restrictions. Collection is open to the public.
Materials are for use in-library only, non-circulating.
Permission to publish from the Rousseau Family Papers must be obtained from the African American Museum & Library at Oakland.
Rousseau family papers, MS 44, African American Museum & Library at Oakland, Oakland Public Library. Oakland, California.
Processed by Sean Heyliger, 06/28/2013.
Biography / Administrative History
The Rousseau family was a family musical ensemble consisting of husband and wife, Walter H. and Margaret Rousseau, and their
seven children: Anna E. Rousseau, James L. Rousseau, Charles P. Rousseau, Milton T. Rousseau, Margaret Rousseau, and Green
M. Rousseau. Beginning the 1910s, the family began performing at church and vaudeville theater venues throughout California,
including a four month long performance at the Panama-California International Exposition in San Diego, California in 1915-1916.
The family performed as the ‘World’s Most Famous Rousseau Family of Musicians’ and the ‘Silver Star Musical Family’ playing
an assortment of over 25 musical instruments, including the steel guitar, ukulele, mandolin, and violin.
Scope and Content of Collection
The Rousseau family papers include photographs, correspondence, and contracts that document the musical performances and business
activities of the Rousseau family. The papers consist of 21 photographs of various members of the Rousseau family, including
two group photographs from the 1920s depicting members of the Rousseau family musicians with their musical instruments. The
papers also includes letters of recommendation from theater hall managers attesting to the musical abilities of the Rousseau
family, a letter related to the Rousseau’s performance at the Panama-California International Exposition in 1916, two contracts
for performances at theaters throughout California, and W.H.H. certificate of appointment for the African Methodist Episcopal
Zion Church in El Centro, California.
Series I. Photographs
Series II. Correspondence
Series III. Contracts
The following terms have been used to index the description of this collection in
the library's online public access catalog.
Rousseau family (musical group).
African American musicians--California.
African American families--California.