The San Anselmo Historical Commission Oral History Project began in 1977. Since then,
memories of San Anselmo residents have been preserved on audio and video tapes. Transcription work continues, and we welcome volunteers to help us make these valuable resources more readily available to the public, and suitable for posting on our
website.
The Carla Ehat Oral History Program for the Anne T. Kent California Room
at the Marin County Civic Center Library has oral histories of several San
Anselmo residents. The following are online:
Marius Cordone,
James Leach,
Irma Leonhart Litz,
Donald C. Perry,
and
George Tong.
Interviews published in Vol. 1 No. 1 of the Golden Hindesight in 1975, a
magazine project designed by San Anselmo teacher, Bernie Griff with his students
in the 6th grade class at Wade Thomas, have been published online. Interviews with San Anselmo residents
Ambrose Ferrario,
Roy Farrington Jones,
Dick Kientz,
Ethel Bouick Landon,
James C. Leach, and
Donald C. Perry
are available.
Oral Histories Currently Available
at the Museum
Valerie Ansel. San Anselmo
teacher and principal. (audio)
Kenneth Ball (1910 -2003) (video)
Mel Bridges, The Barber. (video)
Mrs. Jessie Carey. "Early Memories of San Anselmo." (audio)
"Talk of the Town," a 1995 interview with
businessman and former mayor, William Franchini (1913-2004). An audio tape of
the interview is also available.
William Franchini (1913-2004 ). 1996 video
interview.
William Franchini. "Reminiscences of San Anselmo and Commuting to School”.
(audio)
Abe Froman (video)
Roy Farrington Jones (video)
Mozart Kaufman (video)
Dick Kientz and Alice Capurro Kientz (video)
Warren and Ethel Landon "Reminiscences of Early Marin" (audio)
Chuck Lavaroni (video)
James Leach (1887-1979). "Reminiscences of San Anselmo, 1906-1978." (audio)
Leona Lepage. (audio)
Albert Locati (1911- ). Memories of San Anselmo. (audio)
Erna (Frankie) Longfellow (video)
Ernest Mailliard. "Reminiscences of the Minthorne Tompkins Family." (audio)
Mrs. Sylvia Biggio Paille. "Memories of San Anselmo." (audio)
Warren Perry (video)
Edmond Rossi. "Reminiscences of Rossi's Hotel and Other San Anselmo
Locations." (audio)
Wilbur Franklin Russell (video)
Sister Camilla of the Sisters of the Holy Family. (audio)
Sister Alice Carlene of the Sisters of Loretto at St. Anselms School (audio)
Sister Helen Saunders of the Sisters of Loretto at St. Anselms School (audio)
Jim Thornton and Ruth Ann (McLaren) Thornton (video)
Bill Wessell. "Reminiscences of the Wessell Family and San Anselmo History."
(audio)
"Reminiscences of the San Anselmo Fire
Department as told by Robert Beedle, William Sousa, and Richard McLaren" (video)
Use of text and photos prohibited without permission from the
San Anselmo Historical Society.