John Bufvers papers, 1875-1987

Overview of the Collection

Creator
Bufvers, John
Title
John Bufvers papers
Dates
1875-1987 (inclusive)
1909-1970 (bulk)
Quantity
1.63 cubic feet (2 boxes)
Collection Number
1981, 1989
Summary
Papers of a Swedish-American gold miner and amateur naturalist documenting his interests and activities, Swedish American matters and wildlife of the Pacific Northwest
Repository
University of Washington Libraries, Special Collections
Special Collections
University of Washington Libraries
Box 352900
Seattle, WA
98195-2900
Telephone: 2065431929
Fax: 2065431931
speccoll@uw.edu
Access Restrictions

Open to all users.

Additional Reference Guides

Languages
English

Biographical NoteReturn to Top

Swedish American gold miner and amateur naturalist, John Bufvers (1888-1979), was born on Buvenas farm in Bohslau, Sweden on November 8, 1888. He served in the Swedish Cavalry between 1906 and 1909. Bufvers immigrated to the United States in 1910, becoming a naturalized citizen in 1914. He was drafted into the United States Army in 1981 and served in the United States 14th Infantry during the First World War. Before and after his service in the army, Bufvers traveled throughout Alaska as a gold miner. He later worked for the United States Forest Service and the Ketchikan Pulp Company. In the 1960s, he settled in Seattle, Washington, where he wrote several accounts of his adventures in Alaska, some of which were published. Bufvers died in Issaquah, Washington on January 10, 1979.

Content DescriptionReturn to Top

The John Bufvers papers document his interests and activities relating to prospecting in Alaska, Swedish American and Swedish matters, and wildlife of the Pacific Northwest. Items of note include the manuscript of a memoir in Swedish entitled, "A Cheechako's first year in Alaska," which includes photographs of Bufvers in his Swedish cavalry and American military uniforms. Another notebook contains Bufver's writings about miners, miners, and prospecting. Other material includes three scrapbooks of newspaper clippings and a limited amount of correspondence. The bulk of the collection consists of published works in English and Swedish about gold mining, the Swedish military, and Sweden.

Other Descriptive InformationReturn to Top

See also John Bufvers scrapbooks ( E184.S23 B84 1914) in Special Collections Division, University of Washington Libraries.

Use of the CollectionReturn to Top

Alternative Forms Available

Microfilm is available as negative only and does not include entire collection. On the same reel as John Chilberg papers.

Restrictions on Use

Creator's literary rights not transferred to the University of Washington Libraries.

Administrative InformationReturn to Top

Arrangement

Organized into 3 accessions.

  • Accession No. 1981-001, John Bufvers papers, 1967-1971
  • Accession No. 1989-002, John Bufvers papers, 1950-1965
  • Accession No. 1989-003, John Bufvers papers, 1909-1965

Acquisition Information

Gift of John Bufvers in various installments, 1972-1978.

Processing Note

Accession numbers 1981 and 1989 merged into two boxes. 1981-001 and 1989-002 are housed in one box, while 1989-003 is in another.

Detailed Description of the CollectionReturn to Top

 

Accession No. 1981-001: John Bufvers papers, 1967-1971Return to Top

3 items

Scope and Content: Memoir "A Cheechako's first year in Alaska", 1970 (by Bufvers); "American Swedish Historical Foundation Yearbook", 1967; Alaska Memories by John Bufvers, 1971. Manuscript is in Swedish.

Restrictions on Access: Presume open to all users

Restrictions on Use: Creator's literary rights not transferred to the University of Washington Libraries.

Container(s) Description Dates
Box/Folder Accession
1/1 1981-001
A Cheechacko's First Year in Alaska
Undated
1/2 1981-001
American Swedish Historical Yearbook
1967

Accession No. 1989-002: John Bufvers papers, 1950-1965Return to Top

4" linear; 1 reel microfilm (neg.)

Scope and Content: Writings, primarily about mining claims in Alaska, ca. 1950-1965; scrapbooks of clippings.

Restrictions on Access: Presume open to all users

Restrictions on Use: Creator's literary rights not transferred to the University of Washington Libraries.

Container(s) Description Dates
Box/Folder Accession
1/3 1989-002
Alaska Memories
1971
1/4 1989-002
Litet av Varje
Undated
1/5 1989-002
Kithum Bay Prospects, Alaska
Undated
1/6 1989-002
Wolves in North America
1965
1/7 1989-002
Mines and Prospects in the Kitchikan
1952
1/8 1989-002
History of Some Mines and Prospects in Kitchikan District, Alaska
1966
1/9 1989-002
Book No. 1: News Articles Mostly in Swedish
1937-1948
1/10 1989-002
Mostly in Swedish about Some People and the Swedish Army
1940/1962

Accession No. 1989-003: Bufvers, John, 1909-1965Return to Top

1.14 cubic feet (1 box)

Scope and Content: Writings, annotated publications, clippings, ca. 1909-1965. Writings consist mainly of loose notes and notebooks concerning silver and gold mining claims and prospects in Alaska.

Restrictions on Access: Presume open to all users

Restrictions on Use: Creator's literary rights not transferred to the University of Washington Libraries.

Names and SubjectsReturn to Top

Subject Terms

  • Animals--Northwest, Pacific
  • Gold mines and mining--Alaska
  • Swedish Americans--Alaska
  • Swedish Americans--Washington (State)--Archives

Personal Names

  • Bufvers, John --Archives

Geographical Names

  • Alaska--Description and travel
  • Sweden
  • Sweden--History, Military

Form or Genre Terms

  • Clippings (Books, newspapers, etc.)
  • Correspondence
  • Manuscripts for publication
  • Notebooks
  • Photographs
  • Publications
  • Reminiscences
  • Scrapbooks

Names and SubjectsReturn to Top

Subject Terms

  • Personal Papers/Corporate Records (University of Washington)