James Sefton World War II Correspondence Collection, 1849-2013

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Summary

Creators:
Sefton, James (1939)
Abstract:
The James Sefton World War II Correspondence Collection contains materials collected by Dr. James E. Sefton that document the lived experiences of American military servicepeople in the first half of the 20th century. Correspondence, photographs, and ephemera document the everyday lives of American soldiers, and the many ways that they communicated with the home front, especially during World War II.
Extent:
30.50 linear feet
Language:
English .
Preferred citation:

For information about citing items in this collection consult the appropriate style manual, or see the Citing Archival Materialsguide.

Background

Scope and content:

Dr. James Sefton was a professor in the History Department at California State University, Northridge. Over many years he purchased individual servicepeople's correspondence and related ephemera. The bulk of the collection is comprised of correspondence in a variety of formats, including voice letters on phonograph records, V-mail, typed, and handwritten letters. Correspondence often includes related photographs and ephemera, though there are a number of scrapbooks and photograph albums not connected to any of the correspondence. The Collection also contains military insignia, both original and reproduction, for the United States Army and Air Force. Most insignia relates to the American military during World War II though there is also a St. Anselm's school pin and a German 1914 and 1939 Iron Cross. Materials document the everyday lives of American soldiers, and the many ways that they communicated with the home front during World War II.

Although many United States military branches are represented, the United States Navy is particularly well-represented. Materials also have a focus on the Pacific Theatre, including the American military presence in China and the Philippines before World War II. There are also a number of photograph albums and ephemera related to the United States Navy in the interwar period, as well as the immediate post-war period in Japan.

Most servicepeople are identified in their correspondence, though there are a small number of photographs and postcards that are unidentified. When known, the rank of the serviceperson is identified in the folder title, along with the name of the serviceperson. When the creator of an album or scrapbook is unknown, the name of the ship or military branch is included. A small number of photographs depict graphic beheadings, combat destruction, and deceased humans. Materials are arranged alphabetically by title.

Biographical / historical:

Dr. James E. Sefton was born on July 29, 1939 in San Francisco, California, and passed away at age 79 on October 4, 2018. Dr. Sefton graduated from UCLA with a PhD at age 25. He was a U.S. History Professor at California State University, Northridge for over 50 years.

Acquisition information:
James E. Sefton Estate, 2019-2022
Processing information:

Oshree Barak, 2023 Mallory Furnier, 2024

Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard

Access and use

Restrictions:

This collection is open for research use.

Terms of access:

Copyright for unpublished materials authored or otherwise produced by the creator(s) of this collection has not been transferred to California State University, Northridge. Copyright status for other materials is unknown. Transmission or reproduction of materials protected by U.S. Copyright Law (Title 17, U.S.C.) beyond that allowed by fair use requires the written permission of the copyright owners. Works not in the public domain cannot be commercially exploited without permission of the copyright owners. Responsibility for any use rests exclusively with the user.

Preferred citation:

For information about citing items in this collection consult the appropriate style manual, or see the Citing Archival Materialsguide.

Location of this collection:
18111 Nordhoff Street
Northridge, CA 91330, US
Contact:
(818) 677-4594
Website