The collection consists of several apparently unconnected sets of correspondence written in German and Low German. Letters are addressed to friends and relatives in California mining towns during the period 1852-1888. Several sets were sent to Richard Vorlander in Jackson --notably from his brother, Ewald, in Sonora and from Friedrich Euler in San Francisco. Another substantial set is addressed to members of the Leding family in Sonora (Charles, Elise and Wilhelmine) from their Mother.

Richard Vorlander emigrated from Germany to California via Massachusetts. He was naturalized on August 17, 1858 in Del Norte County. In 1860 he lived in Crescent City and between 1862 and 1865 in Jackson, Amador County. From 1884 to 1904 he was first a miner and then a farmer in Mokelumne Hill, Calaveras County. He died on November 15, 1905 in Calaveras County. (Source: City directories, Great Register of Voters and the California Death Index)

Please credit California State Library.

Unrestricted.