The papers and photographs of the Swett and Tracy families, including materials on John Swett, Mary Tracy Swett, and their children (especially Helen and Frank Swett) as well as materials on the family of Frederick Palmer Tracy and Emily Scott Tracy (Mary Swett's parents). Much of the materials is related to John Swett, Helen Swett, and Frederick Palmer Tracy. Among the materials relating to Frederick Palmer Tracy is correspondence relating to his role in the early California Republican Party during the 1850s and 1860s and a range of materials relating to his Tracy family ancestors in colonial Connecticut. Prominent among the Swett family materials are the work-related subject files of Helen Swett, a social worker in the East Bay and an activist for a range of progressive causes in the 1910s, 1920s, and 1930s.

John Swett was an only child born July 31, 1830 in Pittsfield, New Hampshire, to Lucretia French (1804-1896) and Ebenezer Swett (d. 1843). The couple were Congregationalists and were married in 1829. After Ebenezer's death, Lucretia married William Berry in 1844. John Swett died August 22, 1913 in Alhambra Valley, near Martinez, California. During his life he was a close friend of Sierra Club co-founder John Muir. In 1863 he was instrumental in founding the California Educational Society, which would become the California Teachers Association, the largest teachers' union in the state of California. Running in 1863, during the Civil War, as a National Union Party (Republican) candidate he was elected California State Superintendent of Public Instruction and served until 1867.

18 linear feet (9 cartons, 2 boxes, 8 oversize boxes)

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Collection open for research.