Xiaojian Zhao Research Papers

Collection

Identifier: MS-65

Staff Only

Content Description

rkThis collection consists of materials compiled by Dr. Zhao during her wokr as an instructor, curator and researcher on Santa Barbara's chineCollection of research materials created by related to Santa Barbara Chinese communities in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. Documents include handwritten notes, student papers, and photocopies of censuses, deeds, immigration records, letters, newspaper articles, and academic books. Some materials discuss California Chinese communities more broadly.

Dates

1860 - 2010

Conditions Governing Access

The collection is open for research use.

Conditions Governing Use

All requests for permission to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the Presidio Research Center Director. Permission for publication is given on behalf of the Santa Barbara Trust for Historic Preservation Research Center as the owner of the physical items and is not intended to include or imply permission of the copyright holder, which must also be obtained by the reader.

Biographical / Historical

Dr. Xiaojian Zhao (active 1994 - 2025) was a professor in the Asian American Studies department at University of California, Santa Barbara. Her research focused on Asian-American history in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, with an emphasis on Chinese-American communities, immigration, law, and gender. Dr. Zhao wrote several books, including Remaking Chinese America: Immigration, Family, and Community (2002), The New Chinese America: Class, Ethnic Economy, and Social Hierarchy (2010), and Asian American Chronology: Chronologies of the American Mosaic (2009). Throughout her tenure at UCSB, Dr. Zhao taught courses on Asian-American Studies and U.S. History. She also co-curated several exhibits.

Extent

2 boxes

Language of Materials

English

Chinese

Additional Description

Abstract

The Ziaojian Zhao papers contain materials related to Santa Barbara Chinese communities in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, compiled during the her work as a professor of Asian American Studies at the University of California. The materials include handwritten notes, student papers, and photocopies of censuses, deeds, immigration records, letters, newspaper articles, and academic books, many with annotations. Some materials discuss California Chinese communities more broadly.

Separated Materials

Selected materials were removed to the vertical files and clipped together with a note indicating their origin in the Xiaojian Zhao Research Papers.

Greenwood, Roberta S. “The Overseas Chinese at Home: Life in a Nineteenth-Century Chinatown in California” - Filed in folder of the same name under Chinese Americans – California

Newspaper article about Chinese Lumberman in California - Filed in Chinese Americans – California – Miscellaneous under Chinese Americans – California

Newspaper articles, Presidio neighborhood maps / plans - Filed in Chinese – Santa Barbara – Misc. under Chinese Americans – California – Santa Barbara

Noticias Issue on “Recollections of the Chinese and Chinatown in Santa Barbara” - Filed in folder of the same name under Chinese Americans – California – Santa Barbara

Peattie, Noel. “Santa Barbara” - Filed in folder of the same name under Chinese Americans – California – Santa Barbara

Quan, Ella Yee. “Santa Barbara Chinatown: The Early Years” - Filed in folder of the same name under Chinese Americans – California – Santa Barbara

Newspaper articles about Gin Chow - Filed in Gin Chow under People

Newspaper articles about Ellwood Cooper, Prof. Zhao’s biographical sketch of Cooper - Filed in Ellwood Cooper under People

West with the Hollisters (Noticias Issue), copies of Hollister family tree - Filed in Hollister under People

Newspaper articles about Masako Fukamaki Saruwatari - Filed in Masako Saruwatari under People

Newspaper clippings related to Elmer Whittaker - Filed in Barbara and Elmer Whittaker under People

Goleta Historical Notes (Vol. 5, No. 1) - Filed in folder of the same name under Santa Barbara County – Goleta

Lompoc ephemera and newspaper articles - Filed in Lompoc – Miscellaneous under Santa Barbara County – Lompoc

Copy of California supreme court ruling in Gin Chow et al vs. City of Santa Barbara et al - Filed in Gin Chow vs. City of Santa Barbara under Water – History and Rights

Hartley, Katha G. “Public Policy and the Santa Ynez River: the Gin Chow Case” - Filed in folder of the same name under Water – History and Rights

Selected materials were recommended for secure disposal. Reason is indicated in parentheses. "Duplicate" indicates that there is another copy in the Xiaojian Zhao papers or in the Presidio Research Center.

Photocopy of Chapter 15 of Santa Barbara History Makers on Benjamin Foxen (duplicate)

Photocopy of Diary of a Sea Captain’s Wife by Margaret Holden Eaton (duplicate)

Photocopy of Santa Barbara History Makers by Walker Tompkins (duplicate)

Photocopy of Factories in the Field by Carey McWilliams (duplicate)

Photocopy of From Canton to Canon Perdido: Chinese Fishermen of Santa Barbara (duplicate)

“Santa Barbara Chinatown: The Early Years” by Ella Yee Quan (duplicate)

“Chapter V: The Chinese Presidio Community” by Richard Piedmonte (duplicate)

Copies of Hollister family tree (duplicate)

The Hollister Saga (duplicate)

Photocopy of West with the Hollisters (Noticias Issue) (duplicate)

“The Elmer Whittakers and their Family Trust” by E. W. Jones (duplicate)

Historical Highlights of Santa Barbara by Walker Tompkins (duplicate)

It Happened in Old Santa Barbara by Walker Tompkins (duplicate)

Photocopy of first Gin Chow almanac (duplicate)

Photocopy of second Gin Chow almanac (duplicate)

Vickie Chen report (duplicate)

Sophie Lai paper (personal information)

Unnamed student paper (personal information)

Advertisement of Danny Gin’s raceway hobbies (unclear relation to collection)

Asian American Comparative Collection Newsletter (unclear relation to the collection)

Curriculum committee report and proposals (unclear relation to the collection)

Copy paper with very faded words (unreadable)

Condition Description

Materials are in good condition.

Processing Information

These materials were processed Olivia Henderson during the summer of 2025. The collection guide was written by Olivia Henderson during the summer of 2025, with additional revision by Dez Alaniz in Fall of 2025.