The bulk of this collection consists of correspondence, notes, maps, photographs, and video tapes relating to Bateson's outings along the Pony Express and Oregon-California Trails 1987-1993, plus genealogies and documents pertaining to J. A. "Snowshoe" Thompson. The collection is divided into eight series: Journals and Correspondence, Oregon-California Trails Association (OCTA), Pony Express, J.A. ""Snowshoe" Thompson, Miscellaneous Historical Societies, Photographs, Video and Audio Tapes, and Realia. JOURNALS AND CORRESPONDENCE: is based on six volumes,each in a three-split-ring-binder, covering the period 1988-1993, as organized by Bateson, containing OCTA outing schedules, correspondence, maps, and field notes concerning those outings. They also included similar materials regarding a 1989 family reunion in Wisconsin and a 1993 reunion of USS Mansfield personnel in Long Beach, California. Pre-1988 and Post-1993 volumes were compiled from similar material scattered throughout the collection. The latter volume primarily involves Bateson's activities with the Sacramento Book Collectors Club and with retired employees of the Bureau of Reclamation. OREGON-CALIFORNIA TRAILS ASSOCIATION: is divided into two sub-series: Historical overviews of the trails, and Census of Overland Emigrant Documents (COED), a OCTA project Bateson participated in. PONY EXPRESS: is divided into three sub-series, Route tours, Research material and notes, and Correspondence and newsletters. Route tours consists of correspondence, maps and other research materials, and receipts pertaining to a 1987 tour of the Pony Express trail. Research material and notes pertains to the history of the Pony Express and its principals. Correspondence and newsletters document Bateson's interactions with individuals and groups involved in the history of the Pony Express. JOHN A. THOMPSON: is divided into two sub-series, Genealogy and Biographical. The former contains an extensive amount of material on the Thompson-Rue families. The latter contains numerous copies of primary documents pertaining to Thompson from various counties in California and Nevada, copies of secondary sources involving Thompson, and notes pertaining to Bateson's field trips to archives and historic sites. MISCELLANEOUS HISTORICAL SOCIETIES: consists of newsletters and correspondence with three mid-west historical societies Bateson was involved with 1989-1994, primarily in relation to his family's genealogy. PHOTOGRAPHS: is divided into two sub-series, Subject and Period. The former consists of photographs of Bateson and photographs pertaining to John A. Thompson. The latter consists of usually unidentified prints and negatives in the processor's envelops, arranged chronologically, of OCTA and other outings, 1986-1993. VIDEO & AUDIO TAPES: consists of twenty video tapes, most of Bateson's outings in 1987, and seven audio tapes recorded earlier. REALIA: consists of approximately forty-three mementos Bateson acquired on OCTA and other outings. Most are small rocks from the Oregon-California Trail.
