Archives West Finding Aid
Table of Contents
John Bufvers papers, 1875-1987
Overview of the Collection
- Creator
- Bufvers, John
- Title
- John Bufvers papers
- Dates
- 1875-1987 (inclusive)18751987
1909-1970 (bulk)19091970 - 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
Detailed Description of the CollectionReturn to Top
Accession No. 1981-001: John Bufvers papers, 1967-1971Return to Top
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
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
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)