Davies (Donna C.) Welsh American collection, 1872-1991

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Summary

Title:
Donna C. Davies Welsh American collection
Dates:
1872-1991
Creators:
Davies, Donna C., 1917-2000
Abstract:
Extent:
3 cartons and 1 document box
Language:
Preferred citation:

Donna C. Davies Welsh American collection. San Francisco Public Library, San Francisco History Center

Background

Scope and content:

The collection, assembled by Davies, includes: records of Welsh Presbyterian Church (later St. David's Presbyterian Church), San Francisco, 1913-1962; Welsh Presbyterian Church of Oakland records, 1890-1967; Welsh Society of San Francisco records, 1963-1973; Welsh-American Society records, 1974-1991; and British Benevolent Society material, chiefly manuscripts of the history compiled by Jean M. Simpson, 1983-1986. The earliest material in the collection relating to San Francisco is the Constitution, By-Laws and Rules of Order of the Cambrian Mutual Aid Society of San Francisco, published 1879, in the Welsh Society History folder, Box 2. Some early 20th century material published by the Cymrodorion Society of California, also based in San Francisco, is included. Davies' correspondence with Welsh individuals in Northern California is extensive. The Welsh Society of San Francisco published a newsletter, Pethau Cymraeg, and issues are scattered throughout the collection. Photographs of Welsh Society events are found in the scrapbook Llyfr Hanes Cymdeithas Cymru Amerig, in Box 3. Box 3 also includes several National Gymanfa Ganu programs, 1960-1979, as well as books about Wales, the Welsh in America, and Welsh hymnals.

Biographical / historical:

Donna Claire Davies was born in 1917 in Portland, Oregon to Frederick and Clara Davies; her father was a Welsh native. She served in the United States Navy during World War II. In October 1960 she was identified with the Northern California CADW-Cymru, with Welsh language classes being held in her apartment. In late December 1963 she was secretary of a new Welsh Society in San Francisco. Later an officer of the Welsh American Society of Northern California (WASNC), she also was president of the British Benevolent Society, 1986-1987. She died in San Francisco in 2000.

Acquisition information:
Gift, Donna C. Davies, 1996.

About this collection guide

Collection Guide Author:
Finding aid created by San Francisco Public Library, San Francisco History Center staff.
Date Prepared:
1872-1991
Date Encoded:
This finding aid was produced using Record Express for OAC5 on July 14, 2025, 2:54 p.m.

Access and use

Restrictions:

Open for research. The collection is offsite and advance notice is required for retrieval. Material must be requested at least 4 business days in advance of visit. The collection is available for use during San Francisco History Center hours. Photographs are available during Photo Desk hours.

Terms of access:

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.

Preferred citation:

Donna C. Davies Welsh American collection. San Francisco Public Library, San Francisco History Center

Location of this collection:
San Francisco Public Library
100 Larkin Street
San Francisco, CA 94102, US
Contact:
(415) 557-4567
sfhistory@sfpl.org
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