Garcia family papers, 1901-2023, bulk 1932-1956

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Summary

Abstract:
Contains the papers of the Garcia family who worked for the Southern Pacific and Sacramento Northern railroads while living in Maintenance of Way housing. Includes photographs, documents, and genealogical research material.
Extent:
.5 linear feet Linear Feet (1 manuscript box)
Language:
English .
Preferred citation:

[Identification of item], Garcia Family Papers, MS 573, California State Railroad Museum Library & Archives, Sacramento, California.

Background

Scope and content:

Contains the papers of the Garcia family who worked for the Southern Pacific and Sacramento Northern railroads while living in Maintenance of Way housing. Includes copies of photographs, documents, and biographical material.

Documents include Jesus and Lucy's marriage certificates, World War II era registration cards, an application for a War Ration book, and correspondence from the Selective Service System. Also contains material pertaining to the career of Jesus Garcia as foreman for a Maintenance of Way section gang on the Sacramento Northern Railway, including ID slips, Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way membership cards and correspondence, an authority for expenditure (AFE), descriptions of work performed, employee timesheets, a Statement of Overtime Claim, correspondence from the Chairman of Sacramento Northern's Grievance Committee, an Affidavit of Support for the immigration of Librado Raygoza Valdez, as well as a sales contract for an automobile and an income tax return. Documents pertaining to Lucy Garcia include a Resident Alien's Identification Card, a hospital bill, and tax receipts for a restaurant at the Alaska Hotel in Sacramento. Documents pertaining to Jesse Garcia include grade school report cards and a hospital bill.

Photographs contain images of the Garcia family's personal and work lives. Images include portraits of Lucy Garcia, as well as her involvement with the Work Projects Administration (WPA) in Dunsmuir, Caliornia. Also includes portraits of Jesus Garcia, and his work activity as foreman for a Maintenance of Way section gang. In addition, there are several group portraits of the Garcia family and their relatives. Of particular interest are family photos of the Garcia children living and playing on the railroad.

Biographical material includes notes and printouts assembled by Jesse Garcia regarding the family's history and timelines.

Biographical / historical:

Jesus Ramirez Garcia was born February 8, 1901 in La Piedad Michoacan, Mexico. In 1922, he moved to the United States and lived in Bray, California (Siskiyou County) by the mid-1930s. On October 12, 1936, he got married to Lucy Jimenez (1915-1988) in Reno, Nevada. Jesus worked over 20 years for various railroads, including Western Pacific, Southern Pacific, and Sacramento Northern. He started as a dynamiter in Dunsmuir / Redding and continued as a laborer, foreman and patrolman until his death in 1965.

Lucy was born in Mexico, but moved to Shasta County in 1925 where her father, Jose V. Jimenez, lived and worked as a laborer for Union Pacific Railroad. (In 1930, Jose died and was buried in the Shasta General Cemetary.) During the 1940s, Lucy was in the Works Progress Administration (WPA) to help stimulate the U.S. economy. As part of the World War II effort, she also worked in the railroad switch yard in the Dunsmuir / Redding area. In 1943, Lucy and Jesus opened a restaurant in Old Sacramento on 2nd and K Street that catered to railroad workers.

The Garcias gave birth to three children: Jesus, Jr. "Jesse", Mary Phyllis, and Richard. Throughout various times during the 1950s, the Garcia Family lived in Maintenance of Way boxcar housing. These "bunk cars" were usually equipped with a shower, beds, wood stove, and ice box. These living quarters were in Pittsburg (1950), Chico (1951), Oroville Junction / Thermalito (1954-55), and West Sacramento (1958).

Acquisition information:
Gift of Jesse Garcia, Mary Camozzi, and Richard Garcia, 2024
Arrangement:

Arranged alphabetically by folder title.

Physical location:
Statewide Museum Collections Center
Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard

Access and use

Restrictions:

Collection is open for research by appointment. Certain files are restricted. Contact Library Staff.

Terms of access:

Copyright has been assigned to the California State Railroad Museum. Permission for publication must be submitted in writing to the CSRM Library & Archives.

Preferred citation:

[Identification of item], Garcia Family Papers, MS 573, California State Railroad Museum Library & Archives, Sacramento, California.

Location of this collection:
111 I Street
Sacramento, CA 95814, US
Contact:
(916) 323-8073
Library.CSRM@parks.ca.gov
Website