Swiss Americans

Scope and Contents Aileen Seilaz (1901-1983) worked in Hollywood, California as a story analyst for Universal International Studios in the 1920s. The collection includes some material from motion picture industry of that time. There are also some examples of illustrations from Aileen’s sister Louise Seilaz (1903-1983). Victor Seilaz was a Knoxville businessman who was associated with the Seilaz Cafe, the Colonial Hotel, and the Star Laundry Company. Genealogical material on the Seilaz family; Gourley family;...

Scope and Contents

Album of Albert Chavannes (1841-1913), a French-speaking Swiss American of Knoxville, presented to him by his aunt Anna Francillon Chavannes. Contains writings in French (poems) and sketches, most done in pencil and signed. MM.1993.021 a: is the original album MM.1993.021 b: photocopy of the album. Cover is missing; loose pages.

Scope and Contents Papers of the family of Pierre Francois Buffat, his wife Sylvie Louise Tauxe Buffat, their children and relatives, who came from Switzerland to Knoxville, Tenn., in 1849. Pierre F. Buffat owned a farm at Spring Place in Knox County, Tenn. He ran a mill starting in 1861, and his son Alfred Buffat joined the business in 1865. Other family names included in the correspondence include: Bolli, Chavannes, Porta, Esperandieu, Sterchi, Truan, and Tauxe. Many of the letters were written in French,...

Scope and Contents October 11, 1849, letter from Louis Charles Piguet, Abelville near Knoxville, to brother David. Typescript (TS). PHOTOCOPY 10 pp. Re: journey from Switzerland, landing in New York, trip to Knoxville February 9, 1850, letter from L. C. Piguet, Abelville-Knoxville, to Mother & Father. TS PHOTOCOPY 14 pp. Mentions family and life in Tennessee, copy of Mrs. Dupuy’s letter re: two Piguet children. April 15, 1850, letter from Louis Charles Piguet, Abelville near Knoxville, to parents. TS...

Scope and Contents

Memoirs of Margaret Oswald Klein, completed in 1933, four years before her death at the age of 80. Includes story of ancestors coming from Switzerland to Knoxville, Tenn., and life in Knoxville (mentions the names of many Knoxvillians). Original volume + photocopy of typed transcription.