Language of Material: English

Contributing Institution: Sacramento Public Library, Sacramento Room

Title: Sally Zentner family papers

Identifier/Call Number: MC 49

Physical Description: 3 Linear Feet (6 Archival Boxes)

Date (inclusive): 1880-2004

Date (bulk): 1917-1962

Abstract: The Sally Zentner family papers are comprised of correspondence, photographs and printed material documenting Zentner's family in Sacramento from the early 1900s through the 2000s. The bulk of the collectiong comes from her parents, Adele and Joseph Griffith, and her great-aunt, Mary Ribzinski, who worked as a nurse for decades at Mercy Hospital and for Sacramento Civilian Defense during WWII.

Collection is open for research.

Sally Zentner was born Sally Ann Griffith to parents Joseph A. Griffith and Adele (Gemmill) Griffith in Sacramento. Her father, Joseph, was born in 1911 to E. A. Griffith of Willows and Helena (Ribzinski) Griffith, who died in 1914 at the age of 24. Following his mother's death, Joseph returned to Sacramento with his older brother, Bertrand (Bert), and lived with his mother's family – his grandmother, Jennie Ribzinski, uncles Joseph and Francis, and his aunt, Mary Ribzinski.

Mary Ribzinski graduated from a nurse training program at Mater Miscordiae Hospital in Sacramento (now Mercy Hospital) in 1907. She went on to work in nursing for over 50 years, spending many of those years at Mercy Hospital in the X-Ray department. During World War I, she was chairman of the local Red Cross committee and head of nurse enrollment, recruiting nurses for the war effort.

Joseph A. Griffith graduated from Sacramento Junior College in 1932 worked as a cost clerk and later as a salesman at Henderson Bros. in Sacramento from the early-1930s through 1949. He then worked as a salesman for Langner and Rifkin in the 1950s, before finishing his sales career at Capital Auto Parts. Griffith passed away in 1973. His brother, Bert, married Claris Holder and had a son, Frederick, and daughters Jo Ann and Carol. In the 1930s, he joined the California National Guard as an officer. He fought in the Pacific Theater during WWII and rose to the rank of Lt. Colonel by the end of the war. He then returned home to Auburn, where he lived until his death in 1977.

Adele (Gimmell) Griffith was born in 1913 and attended Sacramento High School before working for the Employment Development Department for the State of California. Adele was an active member of Young Ladies' Institute (later St. Francis Institute) in her youth, and later attended Sacred Heart Church. After her retirement around 1980, she volunteered as a docent for the California State Capitol Museum Association.

The Sally Zentner family papers are comprised of correspondence, photographs and printed material from Mary Ribzinski, Adele Griffith, Joseph Griffith and Bert Griffith along with family photographs and Sacramento ephemera. Subgroup I. Mary Ribzinski papers includes photographs, correspondence and ephemeral material documenting her work as a nurse in the X-Ray department at Mercy Hospital and her role as a block plan leader for the Sacramento Civilian Defense Council during WWII. Subgroup II. Adele Griffith papers is comprised of news clippings, photographs and records from Adele's theater performances, employment at the Employment Development Department and volunteer work for the California State Capitol Museum Volunteer Association. The bulk of Subgroup III. Joseph Griffith papers consists of a series of over 200 photographs taken by Joseph of family and friends in Sacramento and other Northern California locations between 1931 and 1932. Subgroup IV. Bert Griffith letters consists of photocopies of handwritten letters sent to family during WWII. Subgroup V. Photographs consists of views of family and friends at Sacramento locations, bulk 1932-1962. Subgroup VI. General is comprised primarily of ephemera from Sacramento establishments and events and includes theater programs and restaurant menus.

[Identification of item], Sally Zentner family papers, MC 49, Sacramento Room, Sacramento Public Library, Sacramento, California.