Archives Center, National Museum of American History

Guide to the Cayton Family Papers

Summary

Collection ID:
NMAH.AC.0780
Creators:
Union Tansfer and Storage Co.
Cayton, Rosa
Cayton, Max
Cayton Family
Dates:
1892-1992.
1892-1992
Languages:
English
.
Physical Description:
2.5 Cubic feet
6 boxes
Repository:
Correspondence, photographs, business documents, certificates and advertising materials from the family of Max and Rose Cayton, 1890-1993.

Scope and Contents note

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

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

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.

Administration

Author
Angela Sidman
Custodial History
The collection was transferred from the Division of Cultural (now Division of Cultural and Community Life) history to the Archives Center in 2000.
Immediate Source of Acquisiton
The collection was donated by Hannah E. Cayton, widow of Howard Cayton on July 20, 1993.
Processing Information
Collection processed by Angela Sidman, 2002.

Using the Collection

Restrictions on Access
Collection is open for research and access on site by appointment. Unprotected photographs must be handled with gloves.
Preferred Citation
Cayton Family Papers, 1892-1992, Archives Center, National Museum of American History.
Conditions Governing Use
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.

Keywords

Keywords table of terms and types.
Keyword Terms Keyword Types
Correspondence -- 20th century Genre Form Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Certificates Genre Form Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Business records Genre Form Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Advertisements Genre Form Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Jews -- United States Topical Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Immigrants Topical Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Family-owned business enterprises Topical Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Family papers Genre Form Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Photographs -- Black-and-white photoprints -- Silver gelatin -- 19th-20th century Genre Form Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid

Archives Center, National Museum of American History
P.O. Box 37012
Suite 1100, MRC 601
Washington, D.C. 20013-7012
archivescenter@si.edu