Collection Guide
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Kellam (Frederick) Papers
SFH 454
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Table of contents
Title: Frederick Kellam Papers
Date (inclusive): 1880-1973
Date (bulk): 1880-1929
Identifier/Call Number: SFH 454
Creator:
Kellam, Frederick, 1865-1953
Physical Description:
1 carton, 1 small pamphlet box, 1 shoe box.
(1.5 Cubic Feet)
Contributing Institution:
San Francisco History Center, San Francisco Public Library
100 Larkin Street
San Francisco, CA 94102
(415) 557-4567
info@sfpl.org
Abstract: Frederick Kellam served as secretary for the Royal Insurance Company during the 1906 San Francisco Earthquake. He rose through
their ranks until he retired in 1929 as General Manager of North American operations. The Royal Insurance Company played a
critical role financing the rebuilding of San Francisco after the 1906 Earthquake and Fire.
Language of Materials: Collection materials are in
English.
The collection is available for use during San Francisco History Center hours, with photographs available during Photo Desk
hours. Collections that are stored offsite should be requested 48 hours in advance.
All requests for permission to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the City Archivist. Permission
for publication is given on behalf of the San Francisco Public Library as the owner of the physical items.
All requests for permission to publish from photographs must be submitted in writing to the Photo Curator. Permission for
publication is given on behalf of the San Francisco Public Library as the owner of the physical items.
[Identification of item], Frederick Kellam Papers (SFH 454), San Francisco History Center, San Francisco Public Library.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Donated in 2016 by Kellam de Forest, Frederick Kellam's grandson.
Researchers are encouraged to see also Here Today Gone Tomorrow by the Junior League of San Francisco, the Junior League Collection,
the San Francisco Ephemera Collection and SFH 16 Royal Indemnity Company Records of the 1906 San Francisco Earthquake and
Fire 1892-1987.
Researchers are encouraged to see also the San Francisco History Center’s vertical files, reference cards, and small
manuscripts collections on the 1906 earthquake and fire; as well as biographical files and cards for individuals. Researchers
should also check the catalog holdings of the San Francisco Public Library for related materials.
Frederick Kellam (1865-1953) arrived in California from New Haven Connecticut in 1887. He secured work with the Royal Insurance
Company serving as their secretary during the 1906 San Francisco Earthquake. He would spend the entirety of his distinguished
career with the Royal Insurance Company serving as the assistant manager of the San Francisco office (1918) manager of the
New York Office (1922) and retiring as General Manager in charge of North American operations (1929). During his career he
also investigated loss in Guatemala (1899) and Honolulu (1900).
He married Edith Bishop (1876-1963) and they raised three children (Elizabeth, Frances and Gareth) in post-earthquake San
Francisco until moving to New York (1922) and eventually settling in Santa Barbara (1929). Mr. Kellam was a member of the
Bohemian Club and served as president and honorary life member of the Presidio Golf Club.
The Royal Insurance Company of Liverpool opened its New York office in 1881 and established itself in San Francisco in 1853.
After the 1906 Earthquake the Royal Insurance Company proved to be one of a handful of insurance companies that payed in full
to its policy holders and subsequently played an essential role in rebuilding San Francisco.
Frederick Kellam worked for the Royal Insurance Company from 1887-1927 and served as their secretary during the 1906 San Francisco
Earthquake. The collection includes his papers, photographs, nitrate negatives and a glass plate. The collection includes
a small sample of earthquake materials but the bulk of the collection relates to Mr. Kellam’s family and later work with the
Royal Insurance Company.
Series 1 includes materials relating to the 1906 San Francisco Earthquake, Royal Insurance, Kellam family histories, correspondence
and writings. Series 2 includes photographs of early San Francisco, the 1906 San Francisco Earthquake, and Kellam family portraits.
Series 2 also includes nitrate negatives of vernacular photography with images representing the Kellam family and their home
in San Francisco, street scenes in San Francisco and possibly Guatemala, and nature scenes. Series 2 also includes one glass
plate.
The collection is arranged in 2 series: Series 1: Papers, Series 2: Graphic Materials. Series 2 contains 3 subseries: Subseries
1: Photos, Subseries 2: Negatives, Subseries 3: Glass Plates.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Insurance companies, British -- California -- San Francisco.
Earthquake insurance -- California -- San Francisco.
Earthquakes -- California -- San Francisco -- Photographs.
San Francisco Earthquake and Fire, Calif., 1906.
Kellam, Frederick, 1865-1953
Royal Insurance Company
During Processing, the entire collection was re-foldered and re-housed in acid-free folders and boxes. Some metal staples
remain.