Collection processed by Leigh Johnsen
2016
San Joaquin County Historical Society
11793 North Micke Grove Road
Lodi, CA 95241
Phone: (209) 331-2055
Fax: (209) 331-2057
URL: http://www.sanjoaquinhistory.org/
Chinese Business Documents, Records, and Publications 1879-1933
Collection number: Ms91
San Joaquin County Historical Society
- Processed by:
- Leigh Johnsen
- Date Completed:
- 2016
- Encoded by:
- Leigh Johnsen
2016
San Joaquin County Historical Society. All rights reserved.
Descriptive Summary
Title: Chinese Business Documents, Records, and Publications
Date: 1879-1933
Collection Number: Ms91
Location:
Erickson Vault
Extent:
2 boxes
Contributing Institution:
San Joaquin County Historical Society and Museum
11793 North Micke Grove Road
Lodi, CA 95240
Language of Material: Records written in Chinese
Abstract: This collection includes correspondence, receipts, ledgers, and other bound volumes that afford insights into commerce among
members of California's Chinese community in San Joaquin and Yuba Counties during the late nineteenth and early twentieth
centuries. It also contains a Chinese dictionary and a fortune telling book.
Access Information
Collection is open for research by appointment.
Conditions of Use
The library can only claim physical ownership of the collection. Users are responsible for satisfying any claimants of literary
property.
Preferred citation: [Item name], Chinese Business Documents, Records, and Publications, Ms91, San Joaquin County Historical
Society and Museum, Lodi, California.
Historical Background
The Chinese presence in California dates back to the eighteenth century, but not until the era of California's Gold Rush did
it include significant numbers. Overwhelmingly male and attracted by economic opportunities, those who arrived in the nineteenth
century made their most visible marks as laborers in the gold fields, on railroads, and in agriculture. Others operated businesses
that catered to the preferences of the Chinese community, which maintained its distinctiveness in the face of racism, ostricism,
and discrimination embedded in white society and the legal structure of California and the United States.
Scope and Content
This collection is divided into three series: (1) Correspondence, Statements, and Receipts, (2) Unpublished Bound Volumes,
and (3) Publications. Written in Chinese characters, the material spans a period from 1879 to 1933 and offers insights into
activities of members of the Chinese community scattered from San Joaquin and Yuba Counties, in California, to the State of
Washington. Subjects covered in the material include grocery sales, gambling, and prostitution.
Access Points
Subjects
Chinese Americans--California--History--19th century.
Chinese Americans--California--History--20th century.
Chinese Americans--California--San Joaquin County--History.
Chinese Americans--California--Yuba County--History.
North San Juan (Calif.)
San Joaquin County (Calif.)--History, Local.
Stockton (Calif.)--History.
Yuba County (Calif.)--History.
Series 1
Correspondence, Statements, and Receipts
1901-1933
Scope and Content Note
Business correspondence ranging in focus from gambling and the sale of lumber to prostitution in Stockton, Isleton, and Fresno,
California; as well as Seattle and Walla Walla, Washington. Statements and receipts relate to grain and liquor deals in Nevada
City, Marysville, San Francisco, and North San Juan, California.
Box 1, Folder 2
Statements and Receipts
1901-1903
Series 2
Unpublished Bound Volumes
1879-1914
Scope and Content Note
Records of donations, gambling company stockholders' book, and ledgers and account books for gambling company and grocery
stores in San Joaquin and Yuba Counties, California.
Box 1, Item 3
Donation book for religious event, author unknown, [North] San Juan, California
1900 (1970-250-221)
Box 1, Item 4
Gambling company account book, Tai Chang, location unknown
1893 (1970-250-320)
Box 1, Item 5
Gambling company account book, You Li, location unknown
1901 (1970-250-221)
Box 1, Item 6
Gambling company stockholders’ book, Tai He, location unknown
1891 (1970-250-220)
Box 1, Item 7
Store ledger, [Xiang Tai, North San Juan, California,] vol. 3
1884 (1970-250-219)
Box 1, Item 8
Store ledger, Xiang Tai, [North] San Juan, California, vol. 3
1885 (1970-250-219)
Box 1, Item 9
Store ledger, [Xiang Tai, North San Juan, California]
1886 (1969-230-362)
Box 1, Item 10
Store ledger, Xiang Tai, [North] San Juan, California, vol. 2
1886 (1970-250-219)
Box 1, Item 11
Store ledger, Xiang Tai, [North] San Juan, California, vol. 1
1887 (1970-250-219)
Box 1, Item 12
Store ledger, Xiang Tai, [North] San Juan, California, vol. 2
1887 (1970-250-219)
Box 1, Item 13
Store ledger, Xiang Tai, [North] San Juan, California, vol. 3
1894 (1970-250-219)
Box 1, Item 14
Store ledger, Xiang Tai, [North] San Juan, California, vol. 1
1895 (1970-250-219)
Box 1, Item 15
Store ledger, Xiang Tai, [North] San Juan, California, vol. 2
1895 (1970-250-219)
Box 1, Item 16
Store ledger, Xiang Tai, [North] San Juan, California, vol. 2
1896 (1970-250-219)
Box 2, Item 1
Store ledger, Xiang Tai, [North] San Juan, California
1903 (1970-250-219)
Box 2, Item 2
Store ledger, unknown author, Erle, California
1894-1896 (1970-250-220)
Box 2, Item 3
Store ledger, unknown author, various California mining sites
1882 (1970-250-222)
Box 2, Item 4
Store ledger, unknown author, location unknown
1879 (1970-250-222)
Box 2, Item 5
Store ledger, unknown author, location unknown
1882 (1970-250-219)
Box 2, Item 6
Store ledger, unknown author, location unknown
1883 (1969-230-362)
Box 2, Item 7
Store ledger, unknown author, location unknown
1883 (1969-230-262)
Box 2, Item 8
Store ledger, unknown author, location unknown, vol. 4
1883 (1969-230-362)
Box 2, Item 9
Store ledger, unknown author, location unknown
1912 (1969-230-361)
Box 2, Item 10
Store ledger, unknown author, location unknown
1914 (1970-250-220)
Series 3
Publications
undated
Scope and Content Note
Dictionary and guidebook for telling fortunes.
Box 2, Item 11
Dictionary (Kang Xi)
undated (1970-250-218)
Box 2, Item 12
Fortune telling book
undated (1970-250-218)
