Widney Family Papers mssHM 51131-51152
Gayle Richardson
The Huntington Library
January 2021
1151 Oxford Road
San Marino, California 91108
reference@huntington.org
Contributing Institution:
The Huntington Library
Title: Widney family papers
Creator:
Widney (Family)
Identifier/Call Number: mssHM 51131-51152
Physical Description:
2.4 Linear Feet
(2 boxes and 1 folder)
Date (inclusive): 1856-1964
Date (bulk): 1868-1935
Abstract: A collection of 19th and 20th century
diaries and legal documents related to the Widney family of Los Angeles,
California.
Language of Material: Materials are in
English.
Open for use by qualified researchers and by appointment. Please contact Reader Services at
the Huntington Library for more information.
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necessary permissions rests with the researcher.
[Identification of item]. Widney family papers, The Huntington Library, San Marino,
California.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Purchased from Mrs. Frances Widney Workman, 1958-1969.
The Widney family, through their business affairs and their civic involvement, played a
significant part in the development of Los Angeles beginning in the 1860s through the early
part of the 20th century.
The collection of 45 items consists primarily of diaries, reminiscences and legal documents
that relate to Widney family history and the history of Los Angeles and its environs during
the last quarter of the 19th century. Subjects include: Widney-Workman family history, the
Mormons in Illinois, an overland journey to California in 1856 (recorded in a journal kept
by Sarah Johnston Barnes), the anti-Chinese riot of November 1871 in Los Angeles, and
education and religion in late 19th century Los Angeles. There is also a typescript copy of
Boyle Workman's book, The City that Grew, which traces the history of Los Angeles from the
time of the Workman-Rowland party to 1935; additionally, there is a scrapbook of newspaper
clippings related to the book. Persons represented in the collection include Sarah Johnston
Barnes, Robert Maclay Widney, Mary Barnes Widney, Martha Frances Widney Workman, and Boyle
Workman.
Processed by Peter Blodgett, August 1985. In 2021, Gayle Richardson created the finding aid
derived from a legacy in-house finding aid.
Arranged chronologically.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Chinese -- California -- Los Angeles
Mormons -- Illinois -- History -- 19th century
Overland journeys to the
Pacific
Real property -- California -- Los Angeles
Riots -- California -- Los
Angeles
Los Angeles (Calif.) -- History -- 19th century
Los Angeles (Calif.) -- Social life and customs -- 19th
century
Diaries -- California -- Los Angeles
Family papers -- California -- Los Angeles
Reminiscences -- California -- Los Angeles
Barnes, Sarah Johnston
Widney, Mary Barnes, 1844-1924
Widney, R. M. (Robert Maclay),
1838-1929
Workman, Boyle, 1861-1942
Workman, Martha Frances Widney, 1874-
Box 1, Folder 1-20
Box 2