Dust Bowl migration archive
Finding aid created by Sonoma State University Library staff using RecordEXPRESS
Sonoma State University Library
2022
Special Collections
1801 E. Cotati Avenue
Rohnert Park, California 94928
(707) 664-4152
specialcollections@sonoma.edu
http://library.sonoma.edu/specialcollections/
Title: Dust Bowl migration archive
Dates: 1938-1981
Collection Number: Consult repository
Creator/Collector:
Haslam, Gerald W., 1938-
Kinkead, David
Extent: 9 linear feet
Repository:
Sonoma State University Library
Rohnert Park, California 94928
Abstract: Concerned that the history of the migration of 350,000 "Okies" to California would be lost, Gerald Haslam, Professor of English,
established the Okie Studies Project. Included are examples of the work of Charles L. Todd, a librarian in the U.S. National
Archives, who collected camp songs to add to the folk music collection of the National Archives. The name of the collection
was changed to the Dust Bowl Migration Archive in January, 2008. A subset of the collection was added in 2016 with the donation
of the David Kinkead materials, donated by Kinkead’s daughter, B.J. Blanchard. These materials include correspondence, newspaper
clippings, government documents, and a personal journal.
Language of Material: English
Collection is open for research by appointment.
The library can only claim physical ownership of the collection. Users are responsible for satisfying any claimants of literary
property.
[Identification of item]. Dust Bowl migration archive. Collection Number: Consult repository. Sonoma State University Library
Donated by Gerald Haslam, 1994 and B.J. Blanchard, 2016.
Scope and Content of Collection
Collection is comprised of nine linear feet. Correspondence to Gerald Haslam, stories, music, newsletters, newspaper clippings,
pamphlets, photographs and camp diaries, correspondence and reports of Charles L. Todd, document the history and experiences
of the "Okies" who migrated to California in the 1930s. Box 10 includes a subset, the David Kinkead materials, about a camp
manager’s experience in multiple Dust Bowl migration camps.
Dust Bowl migration.
Migrant labor.
Migrant agricultural laborers – California History.
Labor camps.
Dust storms – History – 20th century.
Depressions – 1929.
Droughts – History – 20th century.
Migration, Internal – California – History – 20th century.
Migration, Internal – Oklahoma – History – 20th century.
Migrant agricultural workers.
Dust Bowl Era, 1931-1939.
Haslam, Gerald.
Todd, Charles L.
Kinkead, David.