Collection Guide
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Chinese American Citizens Alliance (CACA) records
M2078
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Description
The Chinese American Citizens Alliance is a nonprofit based in San Francisco, California. The organization began in 1895 as
the fraternal order of the Native Sons of the Golden State, and by 1920 had a number of lodges nationally and was headquartered
in San Francisco. The organization's mission is to work for equal rights for Americans of Chinese ancestry.
Background
The Chinese American Citizens Alliance (C.A.C.A.) is a fraternal beneficiary society originally incorporated in San Francisco
by Chun Dick in 1895 and reorganized in 1904 under the original charter by a group of young Chinese American men under the
name of Native Sons of the Golden State to improve public welfare and assimilation in their communities and dedicated to securing
civil rights. In 1912, branch Parlors began to be established throughout California. The Chinese American Citizens Alliance
was originally created as a separate organization to encompass non-California regions, though the two shared a common governing
board. In 1915, the NSGS and CACA legally became one under the latter name to better align with the members' aspirations and
increasingly national origin. This organization is still headquartered in San Francisco, and consists of 20 local lodges located
throughout the continental US.
Extent
184 Linear Feet
(348 boxes, 27 flat-boxes, 2 card-boxes, 1 half-box)
Restrictions
While Special Collections is the owner of the physical and digital items, permission to examine collection materials is not
an authorization to publish. These materials are made available for use in research, teaching, and private study. Any transmission
or reproduction beyond that allowed by fair use requires permission from the owners of rights, heir(s) or assigns.
Availability
Collection is open for research with the exception of Series 1 Subseries 7, Series 3 Subseries 7, Series 5 Subseries 4, Series
8 Subseries 4, and Series 10 Subseries 5 which contain later personal and financial information ; these files are restricted
until 2075. Materials must be requested at least 36 hours in advance of intended use.