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The Alcaldes of Branciforte-Santa Cruz
(1802-1850)
By Stanley D. Stevens
The content of this article is the responsibility of the individual author.
It is the library’s intent to provide accurate information, however, it is
not possible for the library to completely verify the accuracy of all
information. If you believe that factual statements in a local history
article are incorrect and can provide documentation, please contact the
library.
�The Alcaldes of Branciforte-Santa Cruz (1802-1850)
by Stanley D. Stevens
Introduction
Historian Theodore Grivas has written that the most important single officer in
early California was the Alcalde:
“This magistrate, who was a part of the time-honored governmental
system of the Spanish colonies, was an adaptation of the Arabian and Moorish
Al-Cadi or village judge.”
“The term alcalde, which has no precise English equivalent (closely
corresponds to judge or justice of the peace)….”
“The establishment of the office of alcalde in California corresponded
with the establishment of the pueblo by Governor Felipe de Neve in 1781.”
“The pueblos — San Jose, Los Angeles, and the Villa de Branciforte —
were, therefore, the first in California to be granted alcaldes as their civil
magistrates.”
“The only towns in California entitled to alcaldes were the three pueblos,
Los Angeles, Villa de Branciforte (Santa Cruz), San Jose …, and the capital
Monterey….”
“The qualifications for holding the office of alcalde were indeed few.
Honesty, ability, and literacy were basic requirements….”
“The patriarchal aspects of the office of alcalde, in which he was
entrusted with judicial, executive, and legislative functions of government, were
definitely a marked contrast to the American ideas of government, and, therefore,
difficult for Americans to understand or accept. … When the Americans arrived,
they continued the alcalde in office; and it was not uncommon, therefore, even
during the period of American military government, for an alcalde to apprehend
and arrest a person, preside over his trial, pass sentence, and finally execute the
sentence.”
“Various other duties of a judicial nature were carried out by the alcalde.
There were such things as witnessing of signature, granting of wills and making
them public, and appointing executors to estates.”
Theodore Grivas, “Alcalde Rule: The Nature of Local Government in Spanish and Mexican
California.” California Historical Society Quarterly Volume XL (1961), pgs. 11-32.
A good example of “other duties of a judicial nature” (the recording of official
documents) appears in Santa Cruz Alcalde Book “A” (recorded in May, 1848). It was the
February 2, 1838, petition for a grant of land, addressed to Mexican Governor Juan
Bautista Alvarado:
William Bocle, a native of the city of London and a resident of this
country, before your Excellency as a place of high justice, states that having been
in this country 14 years and having expressed a desire to be a resident of this
territory, I have solicited that land named Carbonera, adjoining with Don Jose
Bolcoff, the River San Lorenzo, the arroyo de Billa, and the eye of water, which
land is found in the uncultivated area in the environs of Villa Branciforte and
which is to be a place for grazing cattle, a house and a corral and to make for me
a place for sawing wood, for the subsistence of my family.
The Alcaldes
by Stanley D. Stevens
1
�Before your Excellency I beg that you deign to concede me the
aforementioned land if it may be in your power, for which receive gratitude and
thanks.
His
Villa Branciforte, Feb. 2, 1838.
William (
X ) Bocle
Mark
The Governor approved William Bocle’s petition.
[Note: Bocle was also known as William Thompson.]
Monterey, Feb. 3, 1838.
In consideration of the representations shown to be of sufficient
merit to be heeded, in the petition, I this day issue a decree conceding the land
which is asked, in conformity with the powers which are given me under the
laws.
The justice of Villa Branciforte approves this concession, given in
Monterey, royal capital of the territory of the Californias.
Alvarado.
Source: Alcalde Book A, p. 126. Translation from Spanish by Leon Rowland.
Source: Record Books of the Alcaldes of Santa Cruz, California, 1847-1850 & April
Term 1851. Transcribed by Sara A. Bunnett, Marion Pokriots, W. Dean
Reynolds. Santa Cruz : Genealogical Society of Santa Cruz County, 1992.
In Monterey, Walter Colton was elected Alcalde on September 15, 1846. He was
designated as the Judge of the First Instance at the capital of California, and, therefore, he
was the appellate court for decisions made by the Alcalde of Santa Cruz.
Colton is credited with the introduction of the jury system, used extensively by
Santa Cruz alcaldes. Colton first used a jury in September 1846. The earliest use of a jury
by a Santa Cruz Alcalde was the following month:
Magistrates office Sta Cruz Oct. 10th, 1846.
This is to certify that we the undersigned have been called upon as a jury
for to settle the accounts of Richard John [Ricardo Juan] and Weddow [sic;
widow] Doloras Lyba — after examining their accounts we find a ballance [sic]
in favour of Weddow [sic] Doloras Lyba three hundred five (six) dollars & 2
reals.
[Trial costs:] Cash for Jury $12 - constable’s fees 2 - 4.
[the Jury:] Felipe Armas, Roman Rodriguez, Cornelio Perez,
William Thompson, and Joaquin Gutierrez.
Given under my hand this 10th day of October 1846.
J L Majors magistrate.
The decision was confirmed after an appeal to the Monterey Alcalde:
To Walter Colton, Esq., Chief Magistrate, Monterey.
Oct. 19, 1846. Magistrates Office, Sta. Cruz.
Sir: With this I send you the accounts of Richard Juan, that the jury
settled the business of Richard Juan and Widow Doloras Lyba as well as they
possibly could that Richard Juan’s accts. and book had neither day nor date and
that the jury thought his accounts very doubtful that the jury brought a verdict in
favour of the widow $306.20.
The Alcaldes
by Stanley D. Stevens
2
�Richard not being satisfied he has appealed to the court of Monterey. The
widow’s accounts I will send in by herself. I have reserved a copy of their
respective accts.
I remain very respectfully,
Joseph L. Majors, magistrate, by L. Carmichael.
Magistrates office, Monterey Feb 24th 1847
Having attentively examined the finding of the jury in the above case between
Richard Juan and Dolores Leyba I find no just ground of qualifying or setting aside the
verdict that has been rendered.
Walter Colton, Chief Magistrate of the Jurisdiction of Monterey.
Some sentences appear to be harsh, but no-doubt indicative of the attitude of the
people; no record of an appeal is found:
Dec. 31, 1847.
Verdict of the jury on the case of the people of California vs. Carvoso
Soto, Mariana ____ and Josepha Paris and Delida _____. The first three
being found guilty by the said jury & Delida being acquitted for want of
evidence. The further verdict of the jury being a fine of five hundred
dollars and the costs of court. Also to be banished from the district for
life that they have until the third day of January, 1850, to leave: in the
failure of which or in the case of their future return at any time to receive
fifty lashes with a common cowhide on the bare back. And that the execution of this verdict take immediate effect by the seizure of all their
goods for the payment of such fines and costs.
A. A. Hecox.
Alexander McLean.
Job Francis Dye.
Henry S. Loveland.
Wm. Bader.
Thos. Hollenback.
Approved by the court this 31st day of December, A.D., 1847.
Joseph L. Majors, sub-prefect.
Santa Cruz has always been a scene of controversy. Santa Cruz Alcalde William
Blackburn made some unique decisions, but he remained popular in the eyes of local
citizens who ultimately elected him as Judge, and as Justice of the Peace. His decisions
have caught the eye of historians of the California alcalde system:
“Among the American alcaldes there were several who were
particularly noted at times for their sagacity and at other times for their
peculiarities. Neither the court procedure nor the sentences meted out by the
alcalde courts correspond-ed to anything found in either American or Mexican
courts at the time. A well-known and respected alcalde was the Virginia
cabinetmaker, William Blackburn, who had been appointed alcalde of the district
of Santa Cruz. Blackburn became noted for the originality of his decisions, which
were technically irregular, but were firmly based on common sense and,
therefore, greatly appealing to the people. A case was brought before Blackburn
involving a vaquero who had accidentally knocked down a pregnant woman
while he was engaged in saving her life by intercepting a wild steer that was
rushing at her. The fall and excitement caused her to lose her child. The husband
of the woman thereupon brought suit against the vaquero for damages, and
during the trial there was a great emphasis placed on the loss of the child. After
The Alcaldes
by Stanley D. Stevens
3
�hearing both sides, Alcalde Black-burn solemnly announced his decision and
ordered that the vaquero should put the woman back in the same condition as
he found her and that the costs of the trial be paid by the husband.”
Theodore Grivas, “Alcalde Rule: The Nature of Local Government in Spanish and Mexican
California.” California Historical Society Quarterly Volume XL (1961), pgs. 11-32. [emphasis added]
One of the most fascinating stories in the history of California alcaldes is the
autobiography of U.S. Supreme Court Justice Stephen J. Field. As a California 49er, he
was the first Alcalde of Marysville (Yuba County), elected by the citizens of that district
on January 18, 1850, the same day the town was founded. He also represented Yuba
County at the Second Session of the State Legislature, which met in San Jose, beginning
in January 1851. Subsequently (1857), he was appointed to the California Supreme
Court, after which he was elected to a full term on September 2, 1857. President Lincoln
appointed Field to a vacancy on the U.S. Supreme Court in May 1863. He served for 36
years (one of the longest tenures in Court history), and died in office at Washington,
D.C., on April 9, 1899. Fortunately for those of us interested in California history,
Justice Field dictated, in 1877, a reminiscence of his experiences in California. His
autobiography was compiled in 1880, and published in 1950 by Joseph A. Sullivan.
Field, Stephen Johnson, 1816-1899. Personal reminiscences of early days in
California, with other sketches. By Stephen J. Field. Printed for a few friends. Not published. [San Francisco?, c1880] Note: Available via the World Wide Web.
Field, Stephen J. California Alcalde. Oakland, CA.: Biobooks, 1950.
Justice Field wrote:
Under the Mexican law, Alcaldes had … a very limited jurisdiction. But
in the anomalous condition of affairs under the American occupation, they
exercised almost unlimited powers. They were, in fact, regarded as magistrates
elected by the people for the sake of preserving public order and settling disputes
of all kinds. In my own case, and with the approval of the community, I took
jurisdiction of every case brought before me. I knew nothing of Mexican laws;
did not pretend to know anything of them; but I knew that the people had elected
me to act as magistrate and looked to me for the preservation of order and the
settlement of disputes; and I did my best that they should not be disappointed. I
let it be known that my election had been approved by the highest authority.
California Alcalde, p. 27.
The Villa de Branciforte (Santa Cruz)
Branciforte, a civil town, as distinct from the Christian mission of Santa Cruz,
was founded on February 25th 1797, under directions from Spanish Governor of
California, Diego de Borica (1794-1800). It was the third pueblo, after San José de
Guadalupe (present San Jose), and El Pueblo de Nuestra Señora la Reina de Los Ángeles
del Rio de Porciúncula (present Los Angeles). The pueblos were governed by a civil
officer, alcalde, and a town council, an ayuntamiento. The villa was named in honor of
Miguel de la Grua Talamanca, the Marqués de Branciforte who became the Viceroy of
New Spain.
The earliest Alcaldes of Branciforte were:
1802
1805
The Alcaldes
José Vicenta Moxica
Felipe Hernandez
by Stanley D. Stevens
4
�The Villa de Branciforte doubled its population in the decade of the 1820s. …
But, the villa, not having sufficient population for an ayuntamiento of its own, was
attached in 1822 to the civil jurisdiction of San José; and then that pueblo was transferred
in 1826 from the military jurisdiction of Monterey to that of San Francisco; but in 1828 it
was detached from San José, becoming again subject to the civil and military authorities
of Monterey. Bancroft found that there was always an alcalde; the names of the alcaldes
are:
1822-1823
Serafin Pinto
1826
José Joaquin Buelna
1827
Serafin Pinto
1828
José Canuto Boronda
1828
Macedonio Lorenzana
1829
José Antonio Robles
1830
Francisco Rodriguez
Sources: Hubert Howe Bancroft, History of California, “Branciforte” p. 626-627
Vol. II (1801-1824)
Leon Rowland, typescript card files, Special Collections and Archives,
University Library, University of California, Santa Cruz.
In 1831-5 the villa of Branciforte seems to have elected its own ayuntamiento
[town council] of alcalde [mayor-magistrate], two regidores [councilmen], and sindico
[general agent], though Bancroft found nothing to authorize this apparent independence
from the civil authorities of Monterey. In 1836-40, however, the subordination to the
latter was officially asserted, and an alcalde auxiliary [vice-alcalde, or 2nd Alcalde] was
annually appointed, or a juez de paz after 1839, the popular choice being usually
approved by the Monterey ayuntamiento and governor or prefect. The successive
municipal chiefs of Branciforte were:
1831
1832
1833
1834
1835
1836
1837
1838-1839
1840
Joaquin Castro
José Joaquin Buelna
José Antonio Robles
José Bolcoff
Alejandro Rodriguez
Rafael Castro
Antonio Rodriguez
José Joaquin Buelna
José Bolcoff
Sources: Hubert Howe Bancroft, History of California, “Branciforte” p. 696-697
Vol. III (1825-1840)
Leon Rowland, typescript card files, Special Collections and Archives,
University Library, University of California, Santa Cruz.
At Santa Cruz, Padre Antonio del Real was parish priest until 1844 at least, and
Padre Anzar of San Juan seems also to have officiated here in 1844-5. Something is
recorded of Padre Real’s irregular conduct, but otherwise the ex-mission has no annals,
the community being entirely broken up in 1841-1, when José Bolcof had charge as juez
de paz and acting administrator. Thereafter the establishment was part of Branciforte.
The Alcaldes
by Stanley D. Stevens
5
�The villa and the ex-mission across the river were now one town, called by both
names, but most often called Santa Cruz; and the municipal affairs were managed by a
succession of juez de paz in 1841-3, and alcaldes in 1844-5, subordinate in some respects
to the town authorities of Monterey and in others to the prefect. The successive local
chiefs were:
1841
José Bolcoff
1842
Juan Gonzalez
1842
Guadalupe Castro
1842
Juan José Feliz
1843
Rafael Castro
1844
Manuel Rodriguez
1844
Francisco Alviso
In May 1845, citizens of Branciforte-Santa Cruz petitioned for the removal of
both alcaldes for drinking, disorder, disobedience, and carelessness. They were replaced
by Jose Bolcoff and Macedonio Lorenzana.
1845
1845
1845 Oct.
1845 Dec.
Ramon Buelna (replaced in Oct. by José Bolcoff
Francisco Soria
José Bolcoff
Macedonio Lorenzana
Sources: Hubert Howe Bancroft, History of California, “Branciforte” p. 664, 692-694
Vol. IV (1840-1845)
Leon Rowland, typescript card files, Special Collections and Archives,
University Library, University of California, Santa Cruz.
In 1846, the second American military Governor, Robert Field Stockton,
issued a proclamation to all towns and districts to elect Alcaldes:
To the people of California:
On the 15th day of September, 1846, an election will be held in
the several towns and districts of California, at the places and hours at which
such elections have usually been holden, for the purpose of electing the alcaldes
and other municipal officers, for one year. In those places where alcaldes have
been appointed by the present government, they will hold the election. In places
where no alcaldes have been appointed by the present government, the former
alcaldes are authorized and required to hold the election.
Given under my hand this 22nd day of August, A.D., 1846, at the
Government House, City of los Angeles.
B. F. Stockton, commander in chief and governor of the Territory of California.
Source: Leon Rowland, typescript card files, Special Collections and Archives,
University Library, University of California, Santa Cruz.
The Alcaldes for the next few years included:
1846 (until Aug.)
1846 (from Aug. until June 1847)
1846 (from Aug. until June 1847)
1847 (from June 21st until 1849)
The Alcaldes
by Stanley D. Stevens
José Bolcoff
Joseph Ladd Majors (1st Alcalde)
William Thompson (2nd Alcalde)
William Blackburn
6
�1847 (from Sept. 27)
1847 (from Sept. 27)
1848
1848-1849
Adna Andress Hecox (1st Alcalde)
William Anderson (2nd Alcalde)
Adna Andress Hecox (acting Alcalde: Nov.)
William Anderson (acting Alcalde: Dec.)
The always-controversial William Blackburn caused a great deal of trouble for
land titles, but his actions were taken on behalf of the ayuntamiento. In fact, Jacob Rink
Snyder (a surveyor, delegate to the Monterey Constitutional Convention, and resident of
Santa Cruz in 1847), in the Spring of ‘47 had mapped the Town of Santa Cruz on behalf
of the ayuntamiento. [Author’s Note: It’s a complex story; the land titles were finally
settled in 1866 by the California Supreme Court: Stevenson vs. Bennett, 35 Cal 424]
Bancroft found in the Santa Cruz-Branciforte annals that on November 24th 1847,
the priest of the Santa Cruz Mission complained to the Governor that alcalde Blackburn
had been granting lots belonging to the Mission; thereupon the Governor called on the
alcalde to prove his authority to do so, and for documents and a map to show that a town
had been established; otherwise he had no right to dispose of lands of the former Mission.
Hubert Howe Bancroft, History of California, “Sta Cruz and Branciforte” p. 641-642 notes.
Vol. V (1846-1848)
On April 28th, 1848, John W. Powell and twenty-six others petitioned for the
removal of Blackburn and the appointment of James G. T. Dunleavy (a Methodist
preacher) in his place. However, one- hundred and thirty-four citizens of Santa Cruz
counter-petitioned in Blackburn’s favor.
Blackburn was not removed. In fact, he was to serve his community as Alcalde,
Judge of the County Court in 1850, and Justice of the Peace of Santa Cruz Township,
1851-1856. [He died in Santa Cruz, March 25, 1867.]
But William Blackburn was not the only Alcalde to show his sense of
independence. In October 1848, the alcalde of Monterey complained that Alcalde
William Anderson (of Santa Cruz) refused to obey his summons to appear in a suit. The
Governor advised that Anderson was subject to his authority and must obey his
directives.
Source: Hubert Howe Bancroft, History of California, “Branciforte” p. 641-642, 645.
Vol. V (1846-1848)
In the Alcalde Records transcribed by Leon Rowland we find a record of one of
the last elections held in anticipation of the ratification of the Constitution and
California’s Statehood:
April 18, 1849.
Election held. William Thompson, and William Anderson were
appointed judges of election by William Blackburn.
[They] Certify that J. L. Majors [Joseph Ladd Majors, was] elected to be
alcalde until Jan. 1, 1850.
Governor Bennett Riley, the military governor headquartered in Monterey, in
August 1849, ordered another election of alcaldes, but Santa Cruz had already conducted
its election for that year. So the ayuntamiento advised the Governor that another election
would be a waste of time and asked for the results to be confirmed, which he did:
The Alcaldes
by Stanley D. Stevens
7
�Mr. J. L. Majors, Alcalde,
Santa Cruz, Calif’a.
May 26, 1849.
State Dept. of the Territory of California. Monterey.
Sir: I am directed by Governor Riley to acknowledge the receipt of your
letter of the 16th Inst. and to say that he has approved of the election held by the
people of Santa Cruz, at which you were chosen Alcalde for that town and
district. …
Very respectfully, Your Obed’t Serv’t,
(In the absence of the Sect’y of State)
W.E.P. Hartnell,
Gov’t Translator.
California was admitted to the Union on September 9, 1850, by President Polk’s
signature on the legislation. Santa Cruzans (and all of California) had operated under the
provisions of a State since the Constitution had been ratified on November 13th 1849.
One must keep in mind that from January 24th, 1848, upon the discovery of gold
at Sutter’s fort, about every adult male left Santa Cruz for the Gold Rush. That event had
a great impact on the service of Alcaldes. Leon Rowland recorded various transactions of
Alcaldes, which reflect the off-again, on-again nature of their terms and authority:
The signing of the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo on February 2, 1848, ended the
authority of Mexico over California. The first appointment of an Alcalde under
“American” rule was William Blackburn, but he didn’t stay long; he headed for the gold
fields.
1848 -
1849 -
1850 -
Mar. 18 – Oct. 3
Oct. 3 – Nov. 23
Nov. 23 – Nov. 27
Nov. 27 – Dec. 17
Jan. 1 –
Jan. 30 – Apr. 2 Apr. 2 – Jan. 1, ‘50
July
Aug. 20-23, Dec. 25
Oct. 29 – Dec. 31 Jan. 1 – Apr. 26
Jan. 16 – Feb. 2
William Blackburn.
William Anderson.
Adna Andres Hecox
James G. T. Dunleavy, acting
William Anderson, acting
William Blackburn.
Joseph Ladd Majors
William Blackburn.
Adna Andress Hecox, acting.
John Hames.
Adna Andress Hecox, 1st; John F. Pinkham, 2nd.
John F. Pinkham, 1st alcalde, acting
The appointment and service of Alcaldes ended with the establishment of
American government. The Santa Cruz County Court of Sessions first met on April 26,
1850, as the governing judicial and administrative authority. The judicial authority
shifted to County Judges and Justices of the Peace.
###
The Alcaldes
by Stanley D. Stevens
8
�
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The Alcaldes of Branciforte-Santa Cruz (1802-1850)
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Stevens, Stanley
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2006
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Villa de Branciforte
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Starr Pait Gurcke: Translations of pre-statehood documents
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This is a collection of translations by Starr Pait Gurcke of California pre-statehood documents.
Starr Pait was born in San Jose in 1911. She graduated from San Jose State and received a master’s degree in Germanic languages from Stanford. She married Werner Gurcke, a German citizen, in 1936 in Santa Cruz. Starr Pait Gurcke translated documents concerning Mission Santa Cruz and Villa de Branciforte for local historians and the County of Santa Cruz. She died in Santa Cruz in 1997. Her family’s story is told in the book “We Were Not the Enemy” by her daughter Heidi Gurcke Donald.
UCSC Special Collections has a complete set of Starr Gurke's research papers and copies of her translations. The following list from UCSC includes the names of the collections where she found documents about Villa de Branciforte and Santa Cruz.<br /><br />Translations of pre-statehood documents: Villa de Branciforte, 1797-1859 Santa Cruz Mission Annual & Biennial Reports, 1791-1840 County of Santa Cruz - collection of early documents, ca. 1844-1865 Alcalde of the Villa de Branciforte, 1st & 2nd Constitutional Court - January-May, 1844, etc. Santa Barbara Mission Archives - H L. Lummis House Account Book of Mission Santa Cruz, 1792-1822 Mission Santa Cruz Reports, 1806, 1809, 1833 General Inventory of the Mission Santa Cruz, Aug.24, 1834 Miscellaneous letters from Santa Barbara Mission Archives - 1794, 1809-1844; from the De la Guerra Collection, Santa Barbara Mission Archives - 1815-1834; Mission Santa Cruz Letters - 1813; From the estate of Rosario Curletti, Santa Barbara Mission Archives Bancroft Library - Present Condition of California - General Report to the Viceroy, May 11, 1796 by Fr. Isidro Alonzo Salazar; "Priest's letters and Mission Accounts" - Santa Cruz - 1807-1846; Letters from BL Vallejo XXIX p.153 (1826), 232 (1838), 276 (1838), 489 (1824) Archivo General de la Nacion Mexico - "Year of 1803 Californias - Jose Marcelino Bravo & other settlers of the Villa de Branciforte - concerning their moving to the site of Corralitos 6 Leagues distant from the Villa" - Bravo Expediente San Francisco Chancery Archives - Letters concerning Mission Santa Cruz #234-768 - 1799-1817; #774-1399-2 - 1816-1820; #878-1660 - 1818-1824; Priest's Letters - 1816-1827 Huntington Library - Letters concerning Mission Santa Cruz - 1812-1852 Wallace B. Stevens Collection, University of Texas - Copy of the Report of the Royal Exchange and Minister in charge of the 2nd Naval Department concerning a new settlement in California titled "Branciforte" - 11/17/1795 - 12/17/1795; "Expediente concerning the Erection of the Villa de Branciforte in New California" - 1976, 1977, 1798, 1799, 1800-1803; J. S. Majors Original Grant from Governor Alvarado - 1839-1841 Monterey County Archives, Vallejo Collection - v.1 Criminal (ca. 1807-1833); #1-7/89, 401-586; 439-507 to 1807-1833; v.2 Criminal (1835-1837) #1-142; 143-256 to 1835-1837 MAMC Mexican Archives - Monterey County - Miscellaneous letters; Bolcoff Letters.<br /><br />For a complete description of the Starr P. Gurcke Papers at UCSC see <a href="http://www.oac.cdlib.org/findaid/ark:/13030/c82n53g3/">Inventory of the Starr P. Gurcke Papers</a>
Access & Use: The Gurcke notebooks are open for research use. Appointments to view the collection can be made by contacting the library. Permission to publish materials must be requested from the Santa Cruz Public Libraries. Researchers are responsible for determining any copyright questions.
Rights
Information about rights held in and over the resource
Copyright resides with the creators of materials contained in the collection or their heirs. The nature of historical archival and manuscript collections is such that copyright status may be difficult or even impossible to determine. Requests for permission to publish must be submitted to the Santa Cruz Public Libraries. When granted, permission is given on behalf of Santa Cruz Public Libraries as the owner of the physical item and is not intended to include or imply permission of the copyright holder(s), which must also be obtained in order to publish. Materials from our collections are made available for use in research, teaching, and private study. The user must assume full responsibility for any use of the materials, including but not limited to, infringement of copyright and publication rights of reproduced materials.
Source
A related resource from which the described resource is derived
Gift of the Gurcke Family; received from Heidi Gurcke Donald, June 2019.
Subject
The topic of the resource
Branciforte
Villa de Branciforte
Mission Santa Cruz
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
Circa 1965-1990
Biography
Government
Religion