Fred R. Trelfa Photograph Collection, circa 1860-1961, and undated

Summary

Creator:

Trefla, Fred R., 1886-1979.

Abstract:

Photographs and negatives of various types, mostly of Michigan people, places, events, focusing on Alpena, Michigan, and the Trelfa family.

Extent:

13.5 cubic feet (in 18 boxes)

Language:

English

Authors:

Collection processed and finding aid created by E. Brilinski, Dec. 1998, amended May 2003

Background

Scope and Content:

This collection includes photographs, negatives, and rolled photographs. A large number of the images are from Alpena, Michigan, but various people and places in Michigan are documented in the collection. Most of the images are not dated. Boxes 11-18 are an addition. An alphebtical index of the negatives in Boxes 11-18 is in the front of Box 11. Abbreviations are duplicated from original notes.

Biographical / Historical:

Biography:

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 attended public schools until 1902 when he began working with the Alpena City Water Company. He worked for Holmes and Kelsey Wholesale Grocery Company from 1905 to 1908 and at Alpena County Savings Bank from 1908 to 1919, as a bookkeeper and bond teller.

In 1919, he began work at Fletcher Paper Company, where he worked until he retired in 1959 as secretary-treasurer and director of the company.

Fred 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.

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

Acquisition Information:

Acc# none for most of the collection, some items are Acc# 8374, 2503, 1544, 1580.

Arrangement:

Boxes 1-10 are organized alphabetically and chronologically, Boxes 11-18 are organized by size and numerically.

Subjects

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Names:

Trefla, Tom C.
Trelfa, Fred R., 1886-1979.

Places:

Michigan--Photographs.
Alpena (Mich.)--Photographs.
Presque Isle County (Mich.)--Photographs.
Mackinac Island (Mich.)--Photographs.
Traverse City (Mich.)--Photographs.
Cheboygan (Mich.)--Photographs.
Mount Pleasant (Mich.)--Photographs.
Rogers City (Mich.)--Photographs.
Ypsilanti (Mich.)--Photographs.
Saint Ignace (Mich.)--Photographs.
Boyne City (Mich.)--Photographs.
Kalamazoo (Mich.)--Photographs.
Sault Sainte Marie (Mich.)--Photographs.