Guide to the Alfred P. Swineford papers
1885-1912
an Alaska Historical Society collection
Collection number: HMC-1015-AHS.
Creator: Swineford, A. P. (Alfred P.), 1834-1909.
Title: Alfred P. Swineford papers.
Dates: 1885-1912 (bulk).
Volume of collection: 0.2 cubic feet.
Language of materials: Collection materials in English.
Collection summary: Documents created by and regarding an Alaska territorial governor and newspaperman in Southeast Alaska.
Biographical note:
Alfred P. Swineford was born in Ohio in 1836. He became a printer’s apprentice in 1851 and was thereafter involved in that field. He became a lawyer in 1857. He was territorial governor of Alaska (1885-1889) and inspector general of the U.S. Land Office (1893-1898). He was also publisher of the Ketchikan Mining Journal (1901-1905) and the Daily Miner (1907-1908). Swineford, a proponent of territorial status for Alaska, died in Juneau, Alaska, in 1909.
Collection description:
This collection consists of original and copied letters and documents; publications; photographs; and miscellaneous copied documents. Most of the letters were written to his daughter, Nellie, and to his granddaughter, Ruth. The early correspondence (1885-1889) concerns Alaskan matters while that of later letters relate to family and personal matters. Other items include a draft of an article concerning his trip on the Revenue Cutter Thetis (1888), a proclamation on the treatment of the Chinese (1886), and several Winter and Pond photographs.
Arrangement: The collection is arranged primarily by record type.
Digitized copies: Some material has been digitized, however it is not available online. For information about obtaining digital copies, please contact Archives and Special Collections.
Rights note: Collection materials authored by Alfred P. Swineford are in the public domain.
Preferred citation: Alfred P. Swineford papers, Alaska Historical Society Collections, Archives and Special Collections, Consortium Library, University of Alaska Anchorage.
Related materials: The Alfred P. Swineford letters, HMC-0689, consists of two letters written by the Governor to his wife.
Acquisition note: This collection was donated to the Alaska Historical Society. The Society retains ownership of the collection and has placed it on deposit with Archives and Special Collections.
Processing information: This collection was described prior to 1990.
Location of originals: Many of the materials in this collection are copies of originals. The location of the originals is unknown.
Container list:
Series 1: Original and copied manuscripts; 1885-1912, 1949. 62 items.
| Box/Folder | Description | Dates |
| 1/1 | Copied correspondence. Correspondents include William F. Vilas and Nellie Flower (nee Stafford) Orr. 39 letters. | 1885-1889, 1912, 1949 |
| 1/2 | Original correspondence. 20 letters. | 1888, 1900-1910 |
| 1/3-4 | Typed draft of article. A cruise of ten thousand miles in Alaskan waters. 45 pages. | 1888 May 27-July 27 |
| 1/5 | Autograph. | Undated |
Series 2: Print materials; 1886-1920. 39 items.
| Box/Folder | Description | Dates |
| 1/6 | Governor’s proclamation. | 1886 August 9 |
| 1/7 | Report. Alaska: territorial government. U.S. House of Representatives. Committee on the Territories. | 1906 February |
| 1/8 | Alaska pamphlets and brochures. 3 items. | Undated, 1916 |
| 1/9 | Newspaper clippings. 6 items. | 1906-1920 |
| 1/10 | Rand-McNally map of Alaska. | 1897 |
Series 3: Photographs; undated, 1898, 1905. 11 items.
| Box/Folder | Description | Dates |
| 1/11 | Winter and Pond photograph albums. Types of Alaska Natives and Totems of Alaska. | 1905 |
| 1/12, OSF1 | Photographs. | Undated |
Series 4: Copied publications; undated. 6 items.
| Box/Folder | Description | Dates |
| 1/13 | Publications, articles, and clippings. | Undated |