Morrish collection, 1942-1958, bulk (bulk 1942-1945)

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Summary

Creators:
Morrish, J. Elmer (1886-1957)
Abstract:
The Morrish Collection includes the case files that were produced by J. Elmer Morrish of the Japanese-Americans from Redwood City who were interned during the War. The bulk of the collection is original correspondence from the internees to Morrish and carbon copies of the correspondence sent by Morrish to the internees. Other records include tax bills, government forms, and bank statements. The case files are arranged by family surname. References to J. Elmer Morrish, as well as all the Japanese-Americans, are listed in the Local History general inventory database.
Extent:
2,500 documents 25 online items
Language:
English.
Preferred citation:

Morrish Collection, Local History Collection, Redwood City Public Library.

Background

Scope and content:

The Morrish Collection includes the case files that were produced by J. Elmer Morrish of the Japanese-Americans from Redwood City who were interned during the War. The bulk of the collection is original correspondence from the internees to Morrish and carbon copies of the correspondence sent by Morrish to the internees. Other records include tax bills, government forms, and bank statements. The case files are arranged by family surname. References to J. Elmer Morrish, as well as all the Japanese-Americans, are listed in the Local History general inventory database.

Biographical / historical:

J. Elmer Morrish was Vice President of the First National Bank in Redwood City where most of the Japanese-Americans kept their financial accounts at the start of World War II. Morrish corresponded with the internees throughout the War, overseeing their personal and business affairs at home. He paid property taxes, hired workers for nurseries, and helped deliver supplies to the internment camps. Morrish also managed the business operations of the California Chrysanthemum Growers Assn.

Acquisition information:
Materials were donated anonymously to the Local History Collection at the Redwood City Public Library in June of 1990.
Processing information:

Redwood City Public Library received a Library Services and Technology Act grant to promote the preservation of the history of the local Japanese-American community. The project was based on the correspondence included in the Morrish Collection referred to above. Library staff solicited donations of other historical materials from local residents, and also conducted interviews of individuals from the community who were interned during the War. Footage from the interviews, selected letters from the Morrish Collection, photographs from various sources, and excerpts from a graduate student thesis are featured on a multi-media website.

Access and use

Restrictions:

The Morrish Collection is open for research, however the materials must be viewed in the Local History Room with assistance of Library staff.

Terms of access:

Property rights of the materials in the Morrish Collection reside with the Redwood City Public Library. Literary rights are retained by the creators of the records and their heirs. The materials are intended for educational and scholarly research only; any other kind of use may be subject to restrictions. Users are solely responsible for determining the existence of such rights and for obtaining and/or paying for proposed use.

Preferred citation:

Morrish Collection, Local History Collection, Redwood City Public Library.

Location of this collection:
1044 Middlefield Road
Redwood City, CA 94063, US
Contact:
650/780-7026
Website