University of Washington Libraries, Special Collections
1981, 1989
Bufvers, John
John Bufvers
papers
1875-1987
1909-1970
1.63 cubic feet (2 boxes)
Collection materials
are inEnglish.
Papers of a Swedish-American gold miner and amateur naturalist documenting his interests and activities, Swedish American matters and wildlife of the Pacific Northwest
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.
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
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.
See also John Bufvers scrapbooks ( E184.S23 B84 1914) in Special
Collections Division, University of Washington Libraries.
Microfilm is available as negative only and does not include entire
collection. On the same reel as John Chilberg papers.
Open to all users.
Request at UW
Creator's literary rights not transferred to the University of
Washington Libraries.
Gift of John Bufvers in various installments, 1972-1978.
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.
Bufvers, John --Archives
Alaska--Description and travel
Sweden
Sweden--History, Military
Swedish Americans--Washington (State)--Archives
Animals--Northwest, Pacific
Gold mines and mining--Alaska
Swedish Americans--Alaska
Clippings (Books, newspapers, etc.)
Notebooks
Photographs
Publications
Scrapbooks
Correspondence
Manuscripts for publication
Reminiscences
Personal Papers/Corporate Records (University of Washington)
Expeditions and Adventure
Mines and Mineral Resources
Scandinavian Americans
Alaska
Forestry and Forestry Products
Accession No. 1981-001: John Bufvers papers, 1967-1971
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.
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, 1950-1965
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.
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, 1909-1965
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.