Guide to the McGurk Family Papers MS 36

Finding aid prepared by Samantha Mills
San Diego History Center Document Collection
1649 El Prado, Suite 3
San Diego, CA, 92101
619-232-6203
February 1, 2017


Title: McGurk Family Papers
Identifier/Call Number: MS 36
Contributing Institution: San Diego History Center Document Collection
Language of Material: English
Physical Description: 0.25 Linear feet (1 box)
Date (inclusive): 1868-1911
Abstract: This collection consists primarily of correspondence between Edward McGurk (a businessman in San Diego in the late 1800s) and his family, as well as several other family papers.
creator: McGurk, Edward

Biographical / Historical Notes

Edward McGurk is first listed in the militia rolls for San Diego County in 1881. Described in one source as a tugboat captain, McGurk was listed in the city directory of 1887 as a capitalist. In that year, he was responsible for the development of the McGurk Block in what is now the Gaslamp Quarter. McGurk was responsible for the construction of the three-storied building which houses the Ferris Drug store. McGurk was listed in the directories for 1906 and 1907 as the president of the Pioneer Truck Company. The last listing for McGurk in any of the directories is for 1908, after which his name disappears.

Scope and Content

The collection consists primarily of correspondence between Edward McGurk and his family. Also included are copies of deeds and death records of other members of the McGurk family. Most of the correspondence is with family and friends who live in either Philadelphia, New Jersey or Europe, and contain subtle references to the Irish sense of family and community. Little information on San Diego is included, although one letter from 1896 mentions a carnival on the bay and a 1903 letter mentions a strike by plumbers and carpenters.

Arrangement

This collection is arranged by material type.

Preferred Citation

McGurk Family Papers, MS 36, San Diego History Center Document Archives, San Diego, CA.

Conditions Governing Access

This collection is open for research.

Conditions Governing Use

The San Diego History Center (SDHC) holds the copyright to any unpublished materials. SDHC Library regulations do apply.

Processing Information

Collection processed by Sean Shiraishi in November 2006 and Samantha Mills in February 2017.

Subjects and Indexing Terms

Cullen Family
Farren Family
McAnulty Family
McGurk Family
San Diego (Calif.)

Box-folder 1:1

Correspondence, 1871 October 28 – 1885 November 18

Includes:

Letters between Edward McGurk (San Diego), Mary McGurk (New York), Patrick Farren (Pennsylvania), James McAnulty (Philadelphia), Michael Farren (Philadelphia), Patrick Cullen (New Jersey), Margaret McAnulty (Birmingham), B.J. Lavey (Philadelphia), and Ann McDonnell. Some letters are marked with “Plaintiff’s Exhibit” numbers.
Box-folder 1:2

Correspondence, 1886 June 29 – 1892 September 30

Includes:

Letters between Edward McGurk (San Diego), Margaret McAnulty (Birmingham), Michael Farren (Philadelphia), Patrick Cullen (New Jersey), Paul McAnulty, and Alice Cullen (New Jersey). Some letters are marked with “Plaintiff’s Exhibit” numbers.
Box-folder 1:3

Correspondence, 1893 January 17 – 1896 November 30

Includes:

Letters between Edward McGurk (San Diego), Paul McAnulty, Margaregt McAnulty (Birmingham; Staffordshire), and Alice Cullen (New Jersey). Some letters are marked with “Plaintiff’s Exhibit” numbers.
Box-folder 1:4

Correspondence, 1897 February 6 – 1899 December 7

Includes:

Letters between Edward McGurk (San Diego), Paul McAnulty, Margaret McAnulty (Staffordshire; France), Maggie Parker (Birmingham), and Lizzie McAnulty. Some letters are marked with “Plaintiff’s Exhibit” numbers.
Box-folder 1:5

Correspondence, 1900 September 5 – 1907 June 24 and undated

Includes:

Letters between Edward McGurk (San Diego), Lizzie McAnulty (France), Paul McAnulty, and Patrick Cullen (New Jersey). Some letters are marked with “Plaintiff’s Exhibit” numbers.
Box-folder 1:6

Estates and Wills, 1907 November 19 – 1911 August 30

Includes:

Items regarding the estate of Patrick McGurk, the estate of Edward McGurk, and two wills written by Edward McGurk.
Box-folder 1:7

Vital Records, 1908 June 28 – 1909 July 13

Includes:

Death records of Mary McGurk, Ellen McGurk, Mary Ann McGurk, Owen McGurk, and Felix McGurk. Baptism record of Edward McGurk, Thomas McGurk, Mary McGurk, Elizabeth McGurk, Michael McGurk, and Owen Hollywood/McGurk. Marriage record of Owen Hollywood/McGurk and Mary Mallon (sp?).
Box-folder 1:8

Miscellanea, 1868 June 1 – 1910 October 28 and undated

Includes:

Certificate of citizenship of Edward McGurk; deeds to property of Edward McGurk; prayer card for Patrick Cullen; photograph of Patrick Cullen; and loose envelopes.