Guide to the Elmer F. Sundsby papers
1920-1978
Collection number: HMC-0238.
Creator: Sundsby, Elmer F., 1901-1978.
Title: Elmer F. Sundsby papers.
Dates: 1920-1978.
Volume of collection: 0.2 cubic feet.
Language of materials: Collection materials in English.
Collection summary: Papers and photographs of a fisherman in Halibut Cove, Alaska.
Biographical note:
Elmer Sundsby was born in Seattle, Washington, in 1901, and worked as an ironworker before going to Alaska to join his uncle, Haakon Sundsby, in the early 1920’s. He worked as a fisherman with his uncle at Halibut Cove, Alaska. In 1936 Haakon Sundsby gave his property to his nephew. Elmer Sundsby owned and operated a fishing boat, the Balboa, but during World War II he served in the Merchant Marine. He was married twice. Elmer Sundsby died of cancer in Homer, Alaska, in 1978.
Collection description:
This collection consists of letters, fisherman’s records, a homesite claim plat, bills and receipts, photographs, and miscellaneous papers. The fisherman’s records include catch records, union papers, and gear licenses. The bills and receipts are for grocery and marine equipment purchases. The photographs primarily relate to family members, friends, and the Halibut Cove area.
Arrangement: The records are grouped by type or subject and many in chronological order thereunder.
Digitized copies: Selected photographs from the collection have been digitized and placed online in the Alaska’s Digital Archives. For information about obtaining digital copies, please contact Archives and Special Collections.
Rights note: Archives and Special Collections does not hold copyright to collection materials.
Preferred citation: Elmer F. Sundsby papers, Archives and Special Collections, Consortium Library, University of Alaska Anchorage.
Acquisition note: The collection was donated to the Archives by Morgan Sherwood who received them from Ted Richards, executor of Mr. Sundsby’s estate, with the permission of Myrtle Brooks, Mr. Sundsby’s sister.
Processing information: This collection was arranged and described in 1986. The finding aid was updated in 2010 by Arlene Schmuland.
Container list:
| Box/Folder | Description | Dates |
| 1/1 | Letters. 21 items. | Undated, 1935-1976 |
| 1/2 | Einar Nelson papers. 9 items. | 1942, 1946-1952 |
| 1/3 | Identification records. 3 items. | Undated, 1942, 1949 |
| 1/4 | Gear licenses. 5 items. | 1970 |
| 1/5 | U.S. Coast Guard vessel number certificate cards. 2 items. | 1964, 1967 |
| 1/6 | Alaska Fisherman’s Union membership books. 3 items. | 1936-1949 |
| 1/7 | Union dues receipts. 14 items. | 1918-1919 |
| 1/8 | Fisherman’s catch records. 15 items. | Undated, 1942-1943, 1968 |
| 1/9 | Homesite claim number 1543 plat. 1 item. | 1927 |
| 1/10 | An impression of Alaska poem. 1 item. | Undated |
| 1/11 | Trapping permit. 1 item. | 1941 |
| 1/12 | Grocery, trapping and marine equipment purchase receipts and records. 131 items. | Undated, 1939, 1948-1968 |
| 1/13 | Photographs. 58 items. | 1920-1978 |
| 1/14 | Financial records. 6 items. | 1922, 1967-1968 |
| 1/15 | Haakon Sundsby’s blank receipts book. 1 item. | Undated |