Lasartemay family papers, 1946-1995

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Summary

Creators:
Lasartemay, Eugene P. and East Bay Negro Historical Society.
Abstract:
The Lasartemay family papers include correspondence, essays, funeral and theater programs, invitations, résumés, photographs, and newspapers clippings documenting primarily the family’s participation in various civic organizations. The papers are organized in to four series: Eugene P. Lasartemay, Ruth Hackett Lasartemay, Elena R. Lasartemay, and Photographs. The bulk of the papers relate to Eugene P. Lasartemay’s participation in various Oakland area civic organizations including the East Bay Negro Historical Society, Northern California Council of Camera Clubs, and the boy scouts.
Extent:
.5 linear feet (1 box)
Language:
Languages represented in the collection: English
Preferred citation:

Lasartemay family papers , MS 95, African American Museum & Library at Oakland, Oakland Public Library. Oakland, California.

Background

Scope and content:

The Lasartemay family papers include correspondence, essays, funeral and theater programs, invitations, résumés, photographs, and newspapers clippings documenting primarily the family’s participation in various civic organizations. The papers are organized in to four series: Eugene P. Lasartemay, Ruth Hackett Lasartemay, Elena R. Lasartemay, and Photographs. The bulk of the papers relate to Eugene P. Lasartemay’s participation in various Oakland area civic organizations including the East Bay Negro Historical Society, Northern California Council of Camera Clubs, and the boy scouts. Also included is a copy of Eugene P. Lasartemay’s book For Love of Jack London: His Life with Jennie Prentiss – a true love Story and court documents related to Exie McDonald’s probate court hearing where Lasartemay served as the estate’s executor. The biographical subseries includes Eugene P. Lasartemay’s résumés, funeral programs from his memorial service, and assorted newspaper clippings related to his involvement in the East Bay Negro Historical Society.

The Ruth Hackett Lasartemay series includes her resume, a program for a testimonial reception at the Church of the Good Shepard in her honor, and historical notes on a property at Hetch Hetchy. The Elena R. Lasartemay series includes a child’s sketch, an essay titled, “Why we celebrate Negro History Week,” and a theater program for a production of Lost in the Stars at the New Day Theatre.

Biographical / historical:

Eugene Pasqual Lasartemay

Eugene Pasqual Lasartemay (1903-1993) was born on May 17, 1903 to Ana Eglesia Adeline Torres de Lasarte and Patricio Lasarte in Kehaha, Kauai, Hawaii. After attending public school in Honolulu, Hawaii, he graduated from Dobie’s Engineering College in San Francisco, California and went on to work as a seaman with the Matson Navigational Company between 1923-1939. In 1937, he earned a First Assistant Engineer’s license, becoming the first licensed black marine engineer to sail from the Port of San Francisco. Following his career as a marine engineer he worked as a life insurance salesman with the Golden State Mutual Life Insurance Company and also worked for 26 years in the Engineering Department of the Colgate Palmolive Company before retiring in 1965.

He was also active in a number of civic, religious, and historical organizations in Berkeley and Oakland. He was a co-founder of many black organizations in the East Bay including the East Bay Negro Historical Society, Berkeley Branch of the East Bay Lodge #44, Men of Tomorrow, Inc., Colonel Allensworth State Historical Park, Berkeley Branch of the NAACP. He was an active member of the boy scouts, serving as a Neighborhood Commissioner and Scoutmaster of Boy Scout Troop #43 and was awarded the scout’s highest honor - the Silver Beaver Award. He served as president of the United Consumers and Producers, East Bay Negro Historical Society, vice president of the East Bay Pensioner’s Club of the International Longshoremen’s and Warehousemen’s Union and the Berkeley Branch of the NAACP, and treasurer of the Fannie Wall Children’s Home of Oakland.

Ruth Hackett Lasartemay

Ruth Hackett Lasartemay (1902-1991) was born on January 12, 1902 in Alameda, California to Sylvester and Marie Ada Hackett, one of the first African American families in Alameda, California. She attended public schools in Alameda, California and the Berkeley Adult Evening School and worked for 17 years with the Golden State Mutual Life Insurance Company between 1928-1944. She was active in many civic and women’s clubs in Oakland and Berkeley including the California State Association of Colored Women’s Club, Inc., National Association of Negro Musicians, Inc., League of Women Voters, South Gate Chapter of the Order of the Eastern Star, and was a co-founder and the first curator of the East Bay Negro Historical Society.

Processing information:

Processed by Sean Heyliger, 12/07/2013.

Arrangement:

Series I. Eugene P. Lasartemay Series II. Ruth Lasartemay Series III. Elena Lasartemay Series IV. Photographs

Rules or conventions:
Finding aid prepared using Describing Archives: a Content Standard

Access and use

Restrictions:

No access restrictions. Collection is open to the public.

Materials are for use in-library only, non-circulating.

Terms of access:

Permission to publish from the Lasartemay Family Papers must be obtained from the African American Museum & Library at Oakland.

Preferred citation:

Lasartemay family papers , MS 95, African American Museum & Library at Oakland, Oakland Public Library. Oakland, California.

Location of this collection:
659 14th Street
Oakland, CA 94612, US
Contact:
(510) 637-0198
aamlo@oaklandlibrary.org
Website