Correspondence, photographs, business documents, certificates and advertising materials from the family of Max and Rose Cayton, 1890-1993.
Scope and Contents note:
The collection consists of personal family and business materials that document the family of Max Chayuta, 1890s-1970s.
The correspondence, 1892-1972,is further divided into three subseries: Subseries 1: Max Chayuta and Rosa Yoffie (research copies); Subseries 2: Max Chayuta and Rosa Yoffie (original copies); and Subseries 3: General. The correspondence between Max and Rosa is written in Yiddish and Russian and forms the earliest part of the collection; many illustrated with letterhead stationery from small town dry goods stores. All correspondence has been translated into English. Together, these letters chronicle the assimilation of a Russian-Jewish family in twentieth-century America. The Union Storage and Transfer Company Records, 1899-1963, include records of incorporation, correspondence, receipts, time books, cash books, and photographs documenting the company's activities in Washington, DC. The photographs, 1895-1983, depict family members from different time periods.
Arrangement:
Collection is divided into four series.
Series 1: Biographical/Background information, 1925-1992
Series 2: Correspondence, 1892-1972
Series 3: Union Transfer and Storage Company Records, 1899-1963
Series 4: Photographs, 1895-1983
Biographical/Historical note:
Max Chayuta (See Series 1: Biographical/Background Information for name change from Chayuta to Cayton) emigrated to the United States from Russia in the early 1890s to work in the cotton mills of the American South. While traveling, Max met Rosa Yoffie, also a Russian immigrant. Max and Rosa married in 1897 and moved to Washington, DC to open Union Storage and Transfer Company. They raised five sons: Albert, Harry, Howard, Leon, and Nathan.
Provenance:
The collection was donated by Hannah E. Cayton, widow of Howard Cayton on July 20, 1993.
Restrictions:
Collection is open for research and access on site by appointment. Unprotected photographs must be handled with gloves.
Rights:
Collection items available for reproduction, but the Archives Center makes no guarantees concerning copyright restrictions. Other intellectual property rights may apply. Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.
