The Jensen Collection…

A Unique Family Archive

The Jensen Collection is a group of papers and artifacts that have been handed down through several generations of the Jensen family. These include letters, diaries, photographs, drawings, and other materials that illustrate the history and daily lives of Jensen family members.  Many of these date back to the early 1800's, when the family was still living on Fohr, one of the North Friesian Islands, near Denmark and Germany, in the North Sea.

The collection was donated by Erwin and Edith (Gunn) Jensen to Cal State, Hayward (now CSU East Bay), in 1976. Its significance stems from the light it sheds on many aspects of our local history - immigration, technology, agriculture, and ranching. The CSUEB Library maintains the Collection in its archives for use by interested faculty and students who can use it in researching various aspects of our regional and local history.

Anyone interested in these materials or the CSUEB Southern Alameda County Collection - to which the Jensen Papers relate - is encouraged to call the Archives and Special Collections office of the Main Library. The archivist may be reached at (510) 885-3892 .