The Jensen Family Manuscripts

Subject (s): Agriculture — California — Alameda County.  Alameda County (Calif.) — History.  Danes — California — Alameda County.  Germans — California — Alameda County.  Immigrants — California — Alameda County.  Ranching — California — Alameda County.  Technology — California — Alameda County.
Description:
Donated by Mr. and Mrs. Erwin Jensen of Castro Valley, CA. The approximately 3,000 leaves include letters, diaries and journals written by members of the families of Jens and Erich Jensen who settled in Castro Valley in the 1860s. The correspondence is among the Castro Valley Jensens and their relatives in Germany and other areas of the United States. Part of the uniqueness of this collection is that it contains both sides of the correspondence between California and Germany from the latter half of the 19th century, through the early 20th. Most of the correspondence is in German script, and is concerned primarily with an exchange of information about the families’ daily lives. Many of the materials have been translated. Other items in the collection include exquisite watercolor miniatures and drawings, family photos, funeral orations, and genealogical charts.
Dates covered: 1830 to 1920.
Language:  English and German
Collection size:
For more information: 
the University Library maintains a web site, based on the 1999 Jensen History Collection Exhibit hosted in the Library:
http://www.library.csueastbay.edu/jensen/index.html
Citation sample:
Collection policy: By appointment