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Toivo Ranta photographs and papers, approximately 1930-1960, 1991
Overview of the Collection
- Creator
- Ranta, Toivo
- Title
- Toivo Ranta photographs and papers
- Dates
- approximately 1930-1960,
1991 (inclusive)19301991
1930-1960 (bulk)19301960 - Quantity
- 0.23 cubic feet (1 box)
- Collection Number
- 6219 (Accession No. 6219-001)
- Summary
- Photographs and papers of a commercial fisherman who fished in the Pacific Ocean, off the coast of Washington, Canada, and Alaska
- 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
No restrictions on access.
- Languages
- English
Biographical NoteReturn to Top
Toivo Ranta worked as a commercial fisherman from the 1930s through the 1950s. Ranta and his brother emigrated from Finland to join their father in Alaska working summers for the Alaska Packers’ Association and Libby, McNeill and Libby. Both companies manufactured and packaged canned salmon. Ranta worked as a fisherman during the early days of commercial salmon fishing in the Pacific Ocean, off the coast of Washington, Canada, and Alaska. He also worked during the transition from the industry being fleets of smaller sailing ships to larger ships with internal combustion engines. Ranta left the fishing industry during this transition and his family started a plywood mill in Port Angeles, Washington to replace fishing as their main economic activity.
Content DescriptionReturn to Top
Materials include photographs and fishing “tally books” that document Toivo Ranta's career as a commercial fisherman in Alaska primarily from 1930 to 1960. The tally books are a record of the daily catch offloaded from fishing boats and the photographs show workers fishing, fishing vessels, various locations in Alaska, and Ranta’s family and friends. Some photos record the transition from sailing ships to internal combustion power ships in Bristol Bay. One image shows a fleet of new stern-pickers lined up outside Bryant’s Marina in Portage Bay.
Other Descriptive InformationReturn to Top
Forms part of the Labor Archives of Washington.
Use of the CollectionReturn to Top
Restrictions on Use
Creator's copyrights transferred to the University of Washington Libraries Special Collections.
Administrative InformationReturn to Top
Detailed Description of the CollectionReturn to Top
| Container(s) | Description | Dates |
|---|---|---|
| Box | ||
| 1 | Photographic prints and negatives of workers fishing, fishing vessels, and various locations in Alaska | approximately 1930-1960 |
| 1 | Ranta's fishing tally books from Alaska Packers' Association and Libby, McNeill and Libby | approximately 1930-1955 |
| 1 | Libby, McNeill and Libby settlement statement | 1936 |
| 1 | Libby, McNeill and Libby cannery tickets | 1957 |
| 1 | "Pacific Fishing Yearbook" magazine and cartoon about fishing | 1991, undated |
Names and SubjectsReturn to Top
Subject Terms
- Personal Papers/Corporate Records (University of Washington)
