The Leask family papers collection includes several generations of correspondence collected from the lives and works of patriarch Samuel Leask, Sr. and granddaughter, Peggy Leask Epstein: Part I consists of the papers of the patriarch Samuel Leask, Sr., who lived between 1861-1964. Although these papers cover some of his boyhood days in Aberdeenshire, Scotland, the bulk covers the history of his adult years in the city and county of Santa Cruz, California. 15 boxes contain his personal, business, civic and reference papers. In addition, one of the boxes contains the genealogy, photographs, memorabilia and awards of both the Leask family and the Epstein family. Part II contains correspondence between granddaughter Peggy Leask Epstein and her husband Emanuel Epstein between 1942 and 1946. This correspondence gives insight to the life of Peggy before marriage, including farm experiences (harvesting peaches) at her father's (Haswell Leask) and uncle's (Sherwood Leask) farm at Waterford, in Stanislaus County, to the courtship and marriage of Peggy and Emanuel, and to the newly married couple during the strains of World War II. Other correspondence, during these years, is between Peggy and her grandparents (Samuel and Clara Leask), her parents, (Haswell Thomson Leask and Hazel Shepard Netherton Leask), and her children (Jared Epstein and Jonathan Epstein). Part III contains chronological correspondence between Peggy and Emanuel Epstein and the vast and far-reaching community of family, friends and business contacts conducted between the late 1940's and 2000. Business letters, logs of travel, cards of remembrance, announcements, diaries, calendars and philanthropies are included. Part IV contains biographical papers, speeches, radio broadcasts and photographs of Samuel Leask, Jr., who was also active in civic and public service. Samuel Leask, Jr. served as a general partner in the Leask store in Santa Cruz, became the Vice-President of the Los Angeles May Department Stores (later J.W. Robinson Company), served as director of the Federal Office of Price Administration, Southern California District, became a city administrative officer in Los Angeles and served as an administrator in the Health and Welfare Agency for the State of California.. Part V contains ephemera and papers of other family members as named: Clara Leask (including letters from Clara's mother and father, Fannie Haswell and Israel Johnson; Clara's final will and other memorabilia), Haswell Thomson Leask, Samuel Leask III, Stephen Martinelli, Jr., John William Linscott's (dear friend) autobiography; Mission School memorabilia and items of realia.
