Sema Calvo papers, 1920-1987
Table of Contents
Overview of the Collection
- Creator
- Calvo, Sema
- Title
- Sema Calvo papers
- Dates
- 1920-1987 (inclusive)19201987
- Quantity
- 2 sound cassettes and 2 transcripts
- Collection Number
- 1938
- Summary
- Tape recorded interview of a Sephardic Jew who was one of the first of two Sephardic Jews in Seattle
- Repository
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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
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Consult the access restrictions information for each of the accessions listed below.
- Languages
- English, Ladino
Biographical Note
Calvo was born in Marmara, Turkey, in 1909. She emigrated to the United States at age 12 to join her father, Jacob Policar, one of the first of two Sephardic Jews in Seattle. She married Marco Calvo at age 17 and had four Children: Pearl, Irving, Jack and Esther. She was an early member of Ahavath Ahim Congregation and, after the merger, in the Sephardic Bikur Holim Congregation where she served as its Ladies Auxiliary President. She died March 31, 2000 at the age of 90.
Content Description
Consult the scope and content information for each of the accessions listed below.
Use of the Collection
Restrictions on Use
Consult the restrictions governing reproduction and use for each of the accessions listed below.
Administrative Information
Arrangement
Organized into 3 accessions.
- Accession No. 1938-001, Sema Calvo oral history interview, 1972
- Accession No. 1938-002, Sema Calvo interview papers, 1920-1986
- Accession No. 1938-003, Sema Calvo tape recording, 1987
Detailed Description of the Collection
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Accession No. 1938-001: Sema Calvo oral history interview, 1972
1 sound cassette (ca. 55 min.); transcriptScope and Content: Tape recorded interview conducted by Karyl Winn and Jeanette Schrieber, 25 May 1972; transcript.
Calvo describes the simple but difficult life she remembers in Marmara and contrasts it with her family's early life in Seattle. She recalls the development of Congregation Ahavath Ahim and her work in the women's auxiliary, which later merged with that of Sephardic Bikur Holim.
Digital Content/Other Formats: Listen to the audio recording and view the transcript of this interview on the Libraries Digital Collections site.
Restrictions on Access: The interview and transcript have been digitized and can be accessed on the Libraries Digital Collections website. The original analog tape cannot be played due to preservation concerns.
Restrictions on Use: Creator's literary rights transferred to the University of Washington Libraries. May be used for research, instruction, publications, and similar educational purposes.
Acquisition Info: Donated by Sema Calvo, 5/25/1972.
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Description: Sema Calvo oral history interview
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Accession No. 1938-002: Sema Calvo interview papers, 1920-1986
Transcript: 2 pagesScope and Content: Transcript of interview conducted by Meta Buttnick on 17 Mar 1986; emigration and naturalization papers, snapshots; 1920, 1943.
Calvo relates how her father brought his family from Marmara in Turkey to establish a home here.
Digital Content/Other Formats: View the transcript of this interview on the Libraries Digital Collections site.
Restrictions on Access: Open to all users.
Restrictions on Use: Creator's literary rights transferred to the University of Washington Libraries.
Acquisition Info: Donated by Sema Calvo, 3/1/1986.
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Description: Sema Calvo interview papers
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Accession No. 1938-003: Sema Calvo tape recording, 1987
1 sound cassette; translation: 1 pageScope and Content: Tape recording of Ladino songs sung at the mikvah by Sephardic women celebrating a forthcoming marriage, 1987. The ceremony has changed now and these songs are no longer sung. See the translation for additional background material. This tape was recorded by a group of friends in honor of the 50th wedding anniversary of Mark and Sema Calvo.
Restrictions on Access: Open to all users.
Restrictions on Use: Creator's literary rights transferred to the University of Washington Libraries.
Acquisition Info: Donated by Sema Calvo, 2/1/1990.
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Description: Sema Calvo tape recording
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Names and SubjectsReturn to Top
Subject Terms
- Personal Papers/Corporate Records (University of Washington)
- Sephardim--Music
- Sephardim--Washington (State)--Seattle
- Sephardim--Washington (State)--Seattle--Interviews
- Songs, Ladino
Personal Names
- Calvo, Sema--Archives
Corporate Names
- Jewish Archives (University of Washington)
- Sephardic Bikur Holim Congregation (Seattle, Wash.)
Other Creators
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Personal Names
- Adatto, Fannie (creator)
- Altabet, Rachel, 1906-1997 (creator)
- Azose, Jack (creator)
- Azose, Leo (creator)
- Azose, Liza (creator)
- Benezra, Sehula (creator)
Corporate Names
- Washington State Jewish Archives (University of Washington)
