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DeFalla Family collection2023.M.1.DeFalla
2023.M.1.DeFalla
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Contributing Institution:
Chinese Historical Society of Southern California
Title: DeFalla Family collection
Creator:
DeFalla, Paul
Creator:
DeFalla
Identifier/Call Number: 2023.M.1.DeFalla
Physical Description:
0.71 Linear Feet
5 Inch Hollinger Box and Legal Size Document Box
Date (bulk): 1892-1977 (bulk 1970-1977), undated
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.
Condition Description : Items mostly in good condition. Some booklets stained from being stored with old newspapers inside.
Language of Material:
English
, Chinese
.
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.
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
This collection is open to researchers and to the public for access. Please contact the Chinese Historical Society of Southern
California for more information.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Received as a donation from the DeFalla family, date unknown.
[Item], DeFalla Family Collection, Chinese Historical Society of Southern California, Los Angeles, California.
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.
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.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Correspondence
Chinatowns
Chinatown (Los Angeles, Calif.)
Clippings
Newspapers
Los Angeles (Calif.) -- Newspapers
Chinese New Year
Postcards
Periodicals
Books
Chinese Historical Society of Southern California