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Filman (Norman) Collection
OCH.NFC
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Contributing Institution:
Special Collections & Archives
Title: Norman Filman Collection
Creator:
Filman, Norman J., 1920-2010
Identifier/Call Number: OCH.NFC
Extent:
1.30 linear feet
Date (inclusive): 1889-2006
Abstract: The Norman Filman Collection consists
of papers saved by Old China Hand Norman Filman, mostly consisting of materials related to
his uncle J. Arthur Duff and Old China Hands reunions. Materials in the collection include
correspondence, news clippings, essays, a family tree, and audiovisual materials on
China.
Language of Material: English
Norman J. Filman was born on November 23, 1920, in Calgary, Canada, and was taken to China
soon after to live with his grandparents, John L. and Margaret Duff who had served as
missionaries in the country since the early 1890s. He grew up in Kuling, China before
attending the Western District Public School in Shanghai. He returned to Canada after
graduating high school, where he attended the University of British Columbia and graduated
as an electrical engineer in 1944. He moved to Los Angeles in 1949, where he worked for
Hughes Aircraft for 31 years. He was also very involved in Old China Hands Reunions, and
maintaining contacts with other Old China Hands. He passed away in 2010.
The
Norman Filman Collection consists of papers saved by Old
China Hand Norman Filman. Materials in the collection, which range from 1889 to 2006,
document two generations of Old China Hands living in and escaping from China, and consist
mainly of correspondence, news clippings, essays, and reunion materials. The collection is
divided into two series:
J. Arthur Duff Materials (1889-1988),
and
Personal Papers (1930-2006).
Series I,
J. Arthur Duff Materials, primarily contains items
written by Filman's uncle, James Arthur Duff. Duff was born in Kuling, China in 1899, and
settled in Shanghai with his family. During World War II, he escaped from occupying Japanese
forces in Hong Kong, and soon after was recruited to work for the Office of Strategic
Service (OSS) in China. He also traveled the world, and retired to California before passing
in 1996. The materials in the series include a number of writings by Duff reminiscing on his
times in China and discussing various political, religious and philosophical topics. Also
included are news articles, family correspondence, and photocopies of documents from Duff's
life in China.
Series II,
Personal Papers, consists of items saved by Norman
Filman related to his experiences in China as well as numerous Old China Hands Reunions he
participated in and in some cases helped to plan. These materials include correspondence,
postcards, news articles, school report cards, brochures, videos, reunion programs, and
reunion attendee rosters. Also included are photographs and home videos from other Old China
Hands that took trips back to China in the 1980s to visit.
Series I: J. Arthur Duff Materials, 1889-1988
Series II: Personal Papers, 1930-2006
Related Material
The collection is open for research use.
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.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Virginia Edwards. 03/12/2014.
For information about citing items in this collection consult the appropriate style manual,
or see the
Citing Archival Materials
guide.
Jessica Geiser, 2014
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Documents
Photographs
Audiovisual materials