Torio Family Collection
Finding aid created by Japanese American Historical Society of San Diego staff using RecordEXPRESS
Japanese American Historical Society of San Diego
2020
PO Box 22349
San Diego, California 92192-2349
(619) 338-8181
jahssd@sbcglobal.net
http://www.jahssd.org/
Title: Torio Family Collection
Dates: 1941-1944
Collection Number: AC 10
Creator/Collector:
Extent: .25 linear feet (1 box)
Repository:
Japanese American Historical Society of San Diego
San Diego, California 92192-2349
Abstract: This collection primarily consists of correspondence to Charles and Frank Torio including letters, postcards and Christmas
cards as well as miscellaneous photographs, documents, business and calling cards.
Language of Material: English
Collection open for research.
Restrictions may apply.
Torio Family Collection. Japanese American Historical Society of San Diego
Biography/Administrative History
Charles and Frank Torio were the sons of Yoshichiro Torio and Suna Nakagawa. They had two siblings - Kay and George. In
the 1930s, the family was tenant farmers in Mission Valley and the three boys attended Grantville School.
During World War II, the Torio family was incarcerated in Block 330 of the Poston internment camp in Parker, Arizona. Both
Charles and Frank served in the U.S. Army, where Charles was a heavy equipment operator.
After the war, the brothers both married – Charles to Betty and Frank to Juliana – and went on to farm in Chula Vista on adjoining
properties. Charles grew tomatoes and cucumbers although later he decided to go into gardening.
Frank passed away January 6, 1995 and Charles on October 21, 1996.
Scope and Content of Collection
The correspondence is from various friends many of whom were serving in the military as well as a few flirtatious letters
from female friends.
There are several work-related documents from their time in Poston internment camp and personal photographs from before they
were interned.
In addition, there is a bible that appears to belong to Frank Torio. The inscription suggests he obtained it while he was
in the military during WWII while his family was still interned at Poston.