Photograph collection depicting family life of French Americans in San Francisco, primarily during the first half of the 20th century. Photos depict friends and family at home, on vacation and playing sports, and in relation to French laundries. Collection contains many formal portraits, school portraits and a substantial number of photographs taken at the Golden Gate International Exposition on Treasure Island.

All four of Norma Garrigues Dobay’s grandparents immigrated to San Francisco from France in the 1890s, marrying and starting families shortly after their arrival. Many of the Garrigues women worked in and then later became proprietors of their own French laundries and raised their children in San Francisco. The families lived in South of Market, Haight, and Sunset neighborhoods.

1 carton

All requests for permission to publish from the collection must be submitted in writing to the Photo Curator. Permission for publication is given on behalf of the San Francisco Public Library as the owner of the physical items.

The collection is available for use during Photo Desk hours.