The collection documents the everyday lives of 19th-century Chinese railroad workers living in Donner Summit, Donner Hotel, Virginia City, Bear Valley, Mokelumne Hill, Hornitos, and North San Juan. It includes information about their diet, leisure activities, and cultural practices. In sum, the collection provides great insights about the lives of 19th century Chinese immigrants during the United States expansion period when California was a frontier state. See finding aid here: 

https://oac.cdlib.org/findaid/ark:/13030/c8s46z54/?query=Chinese+Historical+of+Southern+California