Guide to the Forster-del Valle family papers MS.R.048
Finding aid prepared by Manuel Escamilla, 2009; machine-readable finding aid created by Joanna Lamb.
Special Collections and Archives, University of California, Irvine Libraries
(cc) 2009
The UCI Libraries
P.O. Box 19557
University of California, Irvine
Irvine 92623-9557
spcoll@uci.edu
Contributing Institution:
Special Collections and Archives, University of California, Irvine Libraries
Title: Forster-del Valle family papers
Creator:
Forster-del Valle family
Identifier/Call Number: MS.R.048
Physical Description:
1 Linear Feet
(3 document boxes)
Date (inclusive): 1804-1975
Date (bulk): 1880-1930
Abstract: The collection contains handwritten correspondences, telegrams, family photographs, and religious ephemera complied by the
Del Valle and Forster families between 1804 and 1931.
Language of Material: The majority of this collection is in Spanish and English.
Access
The collection is open for research.
Publication Rights
Property rights reside with the University of California. For permissions to reproduce or to publish, please contact the Head
of Special Collections and Archives.
Preferred Citation
Forester-del Valle Family Correspondence. MS-R048. Special Collections and Archives, The UC Irvine Libraries, Irvine, California.
Date accessed.
For the benefit of current and future researchers, please cite any additional information about sources consulted in this
collection, including permanent URLs, item or folder descriptions, and box/folder locations.
Acquisition Information
Gift of Lorenita Forster Weisenburg, 1973.
Processing History
Processed by L. Viveros, 1998 and Manuel Escamilla, 2009.
Historical Background
The Del Valle and Forster families were prominent Californio landowners during the 19th century. John F. Forster was the son
of California's largest land owner Don Juan Forster who owned Rancho Santa Margarita located in present day Orange County.
Reginaldo and Josefa Del Valle were the children of California politician Don Ygnacio Del Valle who owned Rancho Camulos in
present day Ventura County. Reginaldo Del Valle practiced law and was elected to the California State Senate. The marriage
between Josefa Del Valle and John F. Forster joined these two prominent families together.
Collection Scope and Content Summary
The collection contains handwritten correspondences, telegrams, family photographs, and religious ephemera complied by the
Del Valle and Forster families between 1804 and 1931. The majority of the material was written by or addressed to Reginaldo
Del Valle (1854-1938), Josefa Del Valle Forster (1861-1943), or John F. Forster (1945-1901) between 1870 and 1931. The letters
address family visits, weddings, deaths, religious ceremonies, and business transactions. Additionally there are several letters
between Josefa Del Valle-Forster and various Catholic religious leaders. Included in the collection of religious ephemera
are the funeral notices of several prominent religious figures and the Polish actress Helena Modjeska.
Collection Arrangement
This collection is arranged in 4 series:
- Series 1. Clippings and family records, 1877-1975 and undated
- Series 2. Correspondence, 1804-1931 and undated
- Series 3. Photographic materials, ca. 1880s-1940s
- Series 4. Religious ephemera, ca. 1840s-1970s
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Christian life -- United States -- California -- 19th century
Prayer books
Photographic prints -- California -- 20th century.
Photographic prints -- California -- 19th century.
Devotional images
California -- History -- 19th centrury -- Sources
Bible cards
Del Valle, Reginaldo F. (Reginaldo Francisco) -- Archives
Forster, John -- Archives
Clippings and family records Series 1
1877-1975 and undated
Series Arrangement
This series is arranged alphabetically.
Scope and Content Summary
This series comprises newspaper articles and family documents including correspondence and financial documentation pertaining
to the Del Valle and Forster family history. The material includes original documents as well as reproductions. Most articles
focus on Forster and Del Valles family members, there are also records of the social events and family history of various
Orange County pioneer families.
box 1, folder 2-11
Clippings and family records,
1877-1975 and undated
Arrangement note
The clippings and family records are arranged chronologically.
box 1, folder 12
Reginaldo Del Valle,
1913 and undated
Correspondence Series 2
1804-1931 and undated
Scope and Content Summary
This series includes letters, telegrams, and postcards written between 1804 and 1931. The bulk of the material is written
in Spanish. Highlights of the collection include several letters between John F. Foster and his wife Josefa Forster-del Valle,
correspondences between Josefa del Valle and religious leaders, as well as Reginaldo del Valle's letters home while studying
at the University of Santa Clara.
Series Arrangement
This series is arranged alphabetically.
box 1, folder 13-25, box 2, folder 1-23, box 3, folder 1
Letters
1804-1931 and undated
1871-1898
Arrangement note
The letters are arranged chronologically.
box 3, folder 2-4
Postcards,
circa 1880-1925 and undated
Photographic material Series 3
ca. 1880s-1940s
Series Arrangement
This series is arranged alphabetically.
Scope and Content Summary
Collection includes several images of religious leaders and various original and photocopies of Del Valle and Forster family
members. The following individuals have been identified in the photographs: Mother Bonaventure Fox, Father de Prada, Margarita
Schneider, General A. Cardenas, Ynez Kirby, Lucretia Del Valle, Josefa Del Valle, Reginaldo F. Del Valle, John F. Forster,
Jr. Ysabel Del Valle, Ygnacio Del Valle, and Ygnacio F. Forster, Jr. The collection includes photographs from Edward Curtis's
Biltmore studio.
Original photographs,
circa 1880s-1940s
box 3, folder 5-6, box FB-064, folder 8
box 3, folder 9, box FB-064, folder 8
box 3, folder 10
Photocopies,
circa 1880s-1940s
Religious ephemera Series 4
circa 1840s-1970s and undated
Scope and Content Summary
This series includes small religious cards with Christian imagery and prayers. The collections earliest dated image is from
1860; however, the majority of the series is undated. There are cards in English, Spanish, French, German, and a few containing
Latin phrases. Three folders contain the funeral notices of Forster family members, family friends, and religious leaders.
One folder contains calling cards from various individuals.
Series Arrangement
This series is arranged alphabetically.
box 3, folder 12-14
Funeral cards,
circa 1880-1975
box 3, folder 15
Prayer books and other materials,
circa 1840s-1880s
box 3, folder 16
Prayer and holiday cards,
undated
box 3, folder 22
Religious images,
undated
