This collection chiefly documents business, legal, financial, and real estate-related activities of the Bernal family and their associates in the San Francisco Bay area of California in the mid-to-late 19th century.

The Bernal Family resided in the San Francisco Bay area during the latter part of the 19th century. Carmen Sibrian de Bernal, who was born at San Juan Bautista Mission on April 14, 1804, married Jose Cornelio Bernal on Junee 26, 1819 at Santa Clara Mission. As these documents reveal, Carmen Sibrian de Bernal assumed a greater role in the family's legal and financial matters after the death of her husband in November 1850. The documents also demonstrate that the couple's son, Jose de Jesus Bernal, born circa December 26, 1830 at San Francisco Mission, also took an active role in the family's dealings, particularly in real estate affairs. Jose de Jesus Bernal eventually married Geronima Rufino, whose family members also contributed to this collection. Other persons who had familial ties to the Bernals include members of the Vasquez and Higuera families. Other associates include members of the Italian and Euro-American communities in the San Francisco area.

67 items in 1 box

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