Meticulous, painstaking, scholarly. These words are used to describe the research of Dorothy Gittinger Mutnick reflected in her collection at the History Center. The mere listing of its contents, volume by volume, folder after folder, and card by card comprise 300 typewritten pages.
Already researchers from Lafayette have made use of the collection, since a sizable portion deals with Rancho Acalanes and its settlers into the 1930's, as well as materials on Lafayette's recent history. Other ranchos of major emphasis include Rancho la Boca de la Canada del Pinole, Rancho Laguna de los Palos Colorados, and Rancho Canada del Hambre y las Bolsas, and there is information about many others. There are copies of disenos and expedientes, land title cases and lawsuits, and property transfers. Data is recorded and sources cited.
Early explorations, missionization, Indian incursions and Mexican punitive expeditions receive attention as well. There are photostats of mission registers of baptisms, marriages and deaths. Presidial records include the names and ranks of military personnel and official correspondence regarding troop deployment. Among records of the American period are applications for Mexican War pensions, veterans' records, biographies, and newspaper clippings. All of Dorothy Mutnick's talks, papers, and manuscripts are available.
Many other researchers are aware of the scope of some of the items found in the six-drawer card file, from Admission of California and Agriculture, to Transportation and Vital Statistics. Soon the genealogical charts will be listed. Some information is already available in the five volumes of clippings reproduced from the Contra Costa Gazette 1862-1872 and another five volumes titled Some California Pioneers and Descendants These spiral-bound books are in the Justice A. F. Bray Memorial Library.
Bulletin readers already are aware of the scope of some of the items found in the six-drawer card file, from Admission of California and Agriculture, to Transportation and Vital Statistics. Soon the genealogical charts will be listed. Some information is already available in the five volumes of clippings reproduced from the "Contra Costa Gazette," 1862-1872 and another five volumes titled "Some California Pioneers and Descendants." These spiral-bound books are in the Justice A. F. Bray Memorial Library.
Come and browse through the two red binders in which the Dorothy Mutnick Collection is listed. Appreciate the breadth of inquiry and inclusiveness which they reflect. With help of the Dorothy Mutnick Memorial Spanish Dictionary, translate some old documents and experience the impact of historical personalities and events. Do not hurry. You will be mining gems of information and human interest.
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