DeFalla Family collection, bulk 1892-1977 (bulk 1970-1977), undated

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Summary

Title:
DeFalla Family collection
Dates:
bulk 1892-1977 (bulk 1970-1977), undated
Creators:
DeFalla, Paul and DeFalla
Abstract:
The DeFalla Family collection consists of CHSSC founding documents, papers and artifacts reflecting Chinese American life, collected by the DeFalla family. It is arranged at a series and sub-series level. This collection is important to CHSSC because it contains items regarding its own founding as well as artifacts that tell the story of Chinese American life and showing the connections in Southern California. Available through this collection are glimpses of Chinese American life through the 20th century throughout California, showcasing the movements of families and cultural changes that occurred within those hundred years.
Extent:
0.71 Linear Feet 5 Inch Hollinger Box and Legal Size Document Box
Language:
English , Chinese .
Preferred citation:

[Item], DeFalla Family Collection, Chinese Historical Society of Southern California, Los Angeles, California.

Background

Scope and content:

This collection contains books, museum material, pamphlets for local events, CHSSC founding documents, as well as other materials that express the lives of Chinese Americans, particularly in California. This collection includes a large amount of print material detailing the history and experience of Chinese Americans throughout the 20th century. Included is the research collected in the 1970s on the history of Chinese Americans, Chinese migration to the US, as well as Chinese holiday customs, like the Mid-Autumn Festival. There are also clippings and flyers collected from the 1970s on the Chinese American community showing the way they were represented in media and to contrast there are items that come from within the community as well, like the community flyers for celebrations and history booklets on the Chinese American experience. This collection also contains fourth and sixth edition copies "Gin Chow's First Annual Almanac" from 1932. Gin Chow was known for his fortune telling, and his almanac contains some of his predictions as well as details of his family life in Santa Barbara.

Biographical / historical:

Paul DeFalla was one of the three founders of CHSSC. His family collection provides a look into the lives of Chinese Americans from as early as the late 1800s to the 1980s. As a founder of CHSSC, Paul DeFalla was central to establishing the mission and guidelines of the organization and this collection reflects his commitment to preserving an important part of California history. The bulk of the collection is from the 1970s and it gives a broad view of the life of Chinese Americans in that time, including celebrations in Chinatown, Los Angeles, discrimination in America, and the establishment of CHSSC as a place for community members to preserve their stories.

Acquisition information:
Received as a donation from the DeFalla family, date unknown.
Processing information:

This collection was primarily put together by Paul DeFalla and donated by his family to CHSSC. The arrangement follows as much of the original order as possible.

Arrangement:

This collection is arranged on a series, subseries level. It has two (2) series: Archive and Museum Items, and Print Material. The Print Material series is split into three (3) subseries: Books and Book Chapters, Periodicals, and Newspaper Clippings.

SERIES I: Archive and Museum Items, 1975-1976

Item 1: CHSSC Constitution, 1975

Item 2: "Day of Lotus" Certificate to CHSSC, 1976

Item 3: Gate Farm Workers Museum Display, undated

Item 4: Museum Display from CHSSC, undated

SERIES II: Print Material, 1892-1976 (bulk 1970-1977), undated

Item 1: Postcards

Item 2: Correspondence, 1977

SUBSERIES 2A: Books and Book Chapters, 1902-1976, undated

SUBSERIES 2B: Periodicals, 1892-1972

SUBSERIES 2C: Newspaper Clippings, 1973-1975, undated

Physical description:
Items mostly in good condition. Some booklets stained from being stored with old newspapers inside.

About this collection guide

Date Encoded:
This finding aid was produced using ArchivesSpace on 2023-05-25 17:49:28 +0000 .

Access and use

Restrictions:

This collection is open to researchers and to the public for access. Please contact the Chinese Historical Society of Southern California for more information.

Preferred citation:

[Item], DeFalla Family Collection, Chinese Historical Society of Southern California, Los Angeles, California.

Location of this collection:
411 and 415 Bernard Street
Los Angeles, CA 90012, US
Contact:
(323) 222-0856
info@chssc.org
Website