Descriptive Summary
Access
Publication Rights
Preferred Citation
Acquisition Information
Processing History
Historical Background
Collection Scope and Content Summary
Collection Arrangement
Descriptive Summary
Title: Forster-del Valle family papers
Collection Number: MS-R048
Contributing Institution:
Special Collections and Archives, University of California, Irvine Libraries
Irvine, California 92623-9557
Physical Description:
1.0 linear feet
(3 document boxes).
Date (bulk): Bulk, 1880-1930
Date (inclusive): 1804-1975
Languages: The collection is in Spanish.English.
Abstract: The collection contains handwritten correspondences, telegrams, family photographs, and religious ephemera complied by the
Del Valle and Forster families between 1804 and 1931.
Creator:
Forster-del Valle family
Access
The collection is open for research.
Publication Rights
Property rights reside with the University of California. For permissions to reproduce or to publish, please contact the Head
of Special Collections and Archives.
Preferred Citation
Forester-del Valle Family Correspondence. MSR-048. Special Collections and Archives, The UC Irvine Libraries, Irvine, California.
Acquisition Information
Gift of Lorenita Forster Weisenburg, 1973.
Processing History
Processed by L. Viveros, 1998 and Manuel Escamilla, 2009.
Historical Background
The Del Valle and Forster families were prominent Californio landowners during the 19th century. John F. Forster was the son
of California's largest land owner Don Juan Forster who owned Rancho Santa Margarita located in present day Orange County.
Reginaldo and Josefa Del Valle were the children of California politician Don Ygnacio Del Valle who owned Rancho Camulos in
present day Ventura County. Reginaldo Del Valle practiced law and was elected to the California State Senate. The marriage
between Josefa Del Valle and John F. Forster joined these two prominent families together.
Collection Scope and Content Summary
The collection contains handwritten correspondences, telegrams, family photographs, and religious ephemera complied by the
Del Valle and Forster families between 1804 and 1931. The majority of the material was written by or addressed to Reginaldo
Del Valle (1854-1938), Josefa Del Valle Forster (1861-1943), or John F. Forster (1945-1901) between 1870 and 1931. The letters
address family visits, weddings, deaths, religious ceremonies, and business transactions. Additionally there are several letters
between Josefa Del Valle-Forster and various Catholic religious leaders. Included in the collection of religious ephemera
are the funeral notices of several prominent religious figures and the Polish actress Helena Modjeska.
Collection Arrangement
This collection is arranged in 4 series:
Series 1. Clippings and family records, 1877-1975 and undated; Series 2. Correspondence, 1804-1931 and undated; Series 3.
Photographic materials, ca. 1880s-1940s; Series 4. Religious epemera, ca. 1840s-1970s;
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Del Valle, Reginaldo F. , (Reginaldo Francisco), 1854-1938 -- Archives
Forster, John, 1814-1882 -- Archives
Forster-del Valle family -- Archives
Bible cards
California--History--Archives.
Christian life -- United States -- California -- 19th century
Devotional images
Photographic prints--California--19th century.
Photographic prints--California--20th century.
Prayer books