Clarke Historical Library
Central Michigan University

Finding aid for
Trelfa Photographic Collection, 1886-1920

Finding aid created by
Marian Matyn, Dana Fey

Summary Information

Title: Trelfa Photographic Collection, 1886-1920
Creator: Trelfa, Fred R., 1886-1979.
Inclusive dates: 1886-1920
Extent: 1.25 cubic feet (in 3 boxes)
Abstract:

Photographic materials collected by the Trelfas, documenting a wide range of Michigan and national people, places and events.

Call number: MSS.
Language: The material is in English
Repository: Clarke Historical Library, Central Michigan University

Access and Use

Acquisition Information:

Many

Access Restrictions:

Trelfa Photograph Collection is open for research.

Copyright:

Copyright is unknown.

Preferred Citation:

Trelfa Photograph Collection, 1886-1920, Folder #, Box #, Clarke Historical Library, Central Michigan University

Arrangement

The collection is divided into six series, organized by accession number and order of donation.

History

Fred R. Trelfa, born April 9, 1886 in Strathroy (Ontario), moved to Alpena, Michigan, in 1895. He had a brother, Tom C. Trelfa, of Detroit. On September 16, 1914, Fred married Mable C. Hagen. She died on August 19, 1974, after 60 years of marriage. They had two children, Mable and Richard T.

Fred R. Trelfa attended public schools until 1902 when he began working with the Alpena City Water Co. He worked for Holmes & Kelsey Wholesale Grocery Co. from 1905 to 1908 and at Alpena County Savings Bank from 1908 to 1919, as a bookkeeper and bond teller. In 1919, Fred R. Trelfa began work at Fletcher Paper Co., from which he retired in 1959 as secretary-treasurer and director of the company.

Fred R. Trelfa was active in school organizations, the Masons, and historical societies. He was a community leader interested in preserving Alpena’s history, including hundreds of photographs and manuscripts that he collected and organized. Numerous paper and photographic collections documenting Alpena, Michigan, and Michigan history were donated to the Clarke by the Trelfa brothers.

On March 27, 1979 Fred R. Trelfa, age 92, died in Alpena. (This information is from Fred’s obituary.)

Collection Scope and Content Note

This collection, 6.25 cubic ft. (in 14 boxes) 1849-1925, and undated, was donated over a period of time by one or both of the Trelfa brothers and is divided into six series. The series were established by accession number and topic matter. For a more detailed listing see the Box and Folder Listing. Overall the collection is in good physical condition.

Series 1 consists of 1.25 cubic ft. (in 3 boxes), Acc#3071, Boulton Collection. The collection consists of numbered glass-plate negatives #176-242, 244-332, and 330-345-3, dating between 1886-1916, as well as unnumbered plates. Size of the plates varies. Some of the original sleeves of the plates in Box 1 noted “See Boulton album.” The identity of Boulton is unknown. Topics include views of Alpena, buildings, logs, rivers, ships, homes, and fire damage. Some of the original sleeves of the plates in Boxes 2-3 noted “From Dorothy MacDonald”. Her identify is unknown. Images cover the same topics as those found in Box 1, as well as an elephant, animals, Partridge Point, and Thunder Bay.

Subject Terms

Subjects:

• Trelfa, Fred R., 1886-1979.
• Trelfa, Tom C.
• Crocker, Esli K.
• Circus--History--19th century.
• Lighthouses--Michigan.
• Lifesaving stations--Michigan.
• Spanish-American War,1898--History.
• Hot Springs National Park (Ark.)
• Mississippi River.
• Alpena (Mich.)--History.
• Rapid City (Mich.)--History.
• Presque Isle County (Mich.)--History.
• Thunder Bay (Mich.)--History.
• Mackinac Island (Mich.)--History.
• Hubbard Lake (Mich.)--History.
• Island Lake (Mich.)--History.
• Grand Lake (Mich.)--History.
• Washington, D.C.--History.

Contents List

Container / Location		Title
		Trelfa Collection - Series 1 (Accession #3071 - Boulton Collection) [series]:
Box   1	F   1	Glass-plate negatives, Alpena (7), 1886-1888
Box   1	F   2	Glass-plate negatives, Alpena (5), 1886-1888
Box   1	F   3	Glass-plate negatives, Alpena (6), 1888
Box   1	F   4	Glass-plate negatives, Alpena, fire (4), 1888
Box   1	F   5	Glass-plate negatives, Alpena, lumber (4), 1889
Box   1	F   6	Glass-plate negatives, Alpena (2), 1891, undated
Box   1	F   7	Glass-plate negatives, Alpena (6), 1890-1892, undated
Box   1	F   8	Glass-plate negatives, Alpena, school (2), 1891-1892
Box   2	F   9	Glass-plate negatives, yacht, lighthouse, Gilchrist, Fletcher (1), undated
Box   2	F   10	Glass-plate negatives, Alpena (2), 1892-1897
Box   2	F   11	Glass-plate negatives, Alpena (7), 1893-1897
Box   2	F   12	Glass-plate negatives, Alpena (3), 1897-1899
Box   2	F   13	Glass-plate negatives, Alpena, bicycle (4), 1887-1901
Box   2	F   14	Glass-plate negatives, Alpena, Partridge Point, people (6), 1911-undated
Box   2	F   15	Glass-plate negatives, Alpena, saloon (2), undated
Box   2	F   16	Glass-plate negatives, Alpena (4), 1916, undated
Box   2	F   17	Glass-plate negatives, Alpena, Crystal Ice Company wagon (4), undated
Box   2	F   18	Glass-plate negatives, Alpena, Tawas Bay (4), undated
Box   2	F   19	Glass-plate negatives, light house, sailing, stallion (3), undated
Box   2	F   20	Film negatives, Alpena, river, logging, Reid Wrecking & Towing Company (15), 1913, undated
Box   2	F   21	Film negatives, Alpena, lumber (22), undated
Box   3	F   22	Glass-plate negatives, Alpena, Thunder Bay (5), 1916, undated
Box   3	F   23	Glass-plate negatives, Alpena (4), 1890, undated
Box   3	F   24	Glass-plate negatives, Alpena, boat, plane (3), 1920, undated
Box   3	F   25	Film negatives, Alpena, car, train (18), undated
Box   3	F   26	Photograph, Alpena, Adobe (1), 1900