Finding aid to the Photograph album of Chinese criminals, circa 1872, Vault 185
California Historical Society staff
California Historical Society
2011
678 Mission Street
San Francisco, CA, 94105-4014
(415) 357-1848
reference@calhist.org
URL: http://www.californiahistoricalsociety.org/
Title: Photograph album of Chinese criminals
Date: circa 1872
Identifier/Call Number: Vault 185
Creator:
Woodruff, Delos.
Contributing Institution:
California Historical Society
678 Mission Street
San Francisco, CA, 94105-4014
(415) 357-1848
reference@calhist.org
URL: http://www.californiahistoricalsociety.org/
Location of Materials: Collection is stored onsite.
Abstract: Leatherbound album containing identification photographs of Chinese men and women (some identified by name), probably criminals,
in San Francisco, California, circa 1872. Includes some inscriptions in pencil indicating names, crimes, and sentences.
Delos Woodruff embossed on cover. Portraits 1-120 numbered in ink.
Permission of photo archivist required.
All requests to reproduce, publish, quote from or otherwise use collection materials must be submitted in writing to the Director
of the Library and Archives, North Baker Research Library, California Historical Society, 678 Mission Street, San Francisco,
CA 94105. Consent is given on behalf of the California Historical Society as the owner of the physical items and is not intended
to include or imply permission from the copyright owner. Such permission must be obtained from the copyright owner. Restrictions
also apply to digital representations of the original materials. Use of digital files is restricted to research and educational
purposes.
[Identification of item], Photograph album of Chinese criminals, Vault 185, California Historical Society.
Woodruff was an officer for the San Francisco Police Department stationed in Chinatown. According to an article in the
San Francisco Alta, December 7, 1874, noting his resignation from the force: "His specialty was looking after Chinese thieves, in which he was
most successful, and indeed he was looked upon as the head and front of the Chinese specials whenever any important duty was
to be performed in that branch of the police service."
Leatherbound album containing identification photographs of Chinese men and women (some identified by name), probably criminals,
in San Francisco, California, circa 1872. Includes some inscriptions in pencil indicating names, crimes, and sentences.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Chinese--Portraits--California--San Francisco.
Crime and race--California--San Francisco.
Criminals--Portraits--California--San Francisco.
Forensic photographs--California--San Francisco.
Identification photographs--California--San Francisco.
Law enforcement--Photographs--California--San Francisco.
Legal photography--California--San Francisco.
Photograph albums--California--San Francisco.
Police--Photographs--California--San Francisco.
Portrait photographs--California--San Francisco.
San Francisco (Calif.). Police Dept.