Contents and Arrangement Expanded View

Collection Overview

Creator:
Flores family and Viramontes family
Title:
Flores and Viramontes Families Papers
Repository:
Manuscripts Division
Permanent URL:
http://arks.princeton.edu/ark:/88435/x059ch636
Dates:
1880s-1989 (mostly 1900-1954)
Size:
0.4 linear feet and 1 box
Storage Note:
Firestone Library (scamss): Box B-001560
Language:
Spanish; Castilian English

Abstract

Consists of a group of family photographs, ephemera, and other papers belonging to the Flores and Viramontes families, two interconnected Mexican American families living in southwest Texas and New Mexico in the 20th century.

Collection Description & Creator Information

Description:

Consists of a group of family photographs, ephemera, and other papers belonging to the Flores and Viramontes families, two interconnected Mexican American families living in southwest Texas and New Mexico in the 20th century. This collection, and family connection, is likely the result of the marriage of Edward Porter ("Eddie") Flores (1914-1981) and Consuelo Viramontes (1916-1981). Materials primarily document family members' lives during the first half of the 20th century, including during the Great Depression and World War II.

Most materials in the collection are photographic in nature. A Flores family photograph album, dating from the 1920s and 1930s, contains over 130 photographs showing children, men in baseball uniforms, family group portraits, people posing after deer hunts and with early model automobiles, and graduation pictures. An additional 130 loose photographs (including some that may have originally been included in the album) and over 50 photographic negatives depict similar content, as well as people inside a general store, portraits of friends, wedding parties, farm scenes, leisure time, military settings, landscapes, and several shots of the exterior of the Silver City National Bank. There are numerous portraits, including some professional photographs that are stamped from studios in New Mexico; El Paso, Texas; and Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Some of the photographs are annotated on the verso, several identifying members of the Viramontes family, and a few inscribed to Eddie Flores. Two of the loose photographs are noticeably older than the others, likely from before 1900, and show a family standing in front of a clapboard house.

Other materials include three war ration books from World War II; a funeral notice for Petra G. Flores; campaign cards for Jose M. Viramontes when he ran for sheriff of Dona Ana County, New Mexico; mortgage receipts for Jose Viramontes from El Paso, Texas; a diploma earned by Edward P. Flores from New Mexico State Teachers College; news clippings about Eddie Flores and Jimmy Viramontes; a Catholic Missionary Union membership certificate for Mr. G. Viramontes; a New Mexico school enrollment form and a report card for Robert Flores; illustrated prayer cards; and several letters. Much of the writing present on the ephemeral items is in Spanish.

Arrangement

Arranged by material type.

Collection Creator Biography:

The Flores family is a Mexican American family living in southwest Texas and New Mexico in the 20th century.


The Viramontes family is a Mexican American family living in southwest Texas and New Mexico in the 20th century.

Collection History

Acquisition:

Purchased from William Reese Company in 2021 (AM 2021-45).

Appraisal

No materials were separated from the collection during 2021 processing.

Sponsorship:

Processing of this collection was sponsored by the Delafield fund.

Processing Information

This collection was processed by Kelly Bolding in April 2021. Finding aid written by Kelly Bolding in April 2021.

Access & Use

Conditions Governing Access

Open for research.

Conditions Governing Use

Single photocopies may be made for research purposes. No further photoduplication of copies of material in the collection can be made when Princeton University Library does not own the original. Inquiries regarding publishing material from the collection should be directed to Special Collections Public Services staff through the Ask Us! form. The library has no information on the status of literary rights in the collection and researchers are responsible for determining any questions of copyright.

Credit this material:

Flores and Viramontes Families Papers; Manuscripts Division, Department of Special Collections, Princeton University Library

Permanent URL:
http://arks.princeton.edu/ark:/88435/x059ch636
Location:
Firestone Library
One Washington Road
Princeton, NJ 08544, USA
(609) 258-3184
Storage Note:
Firestone Library (scamss): Box B-001560