Collection Summary
Thomas Capek Collection Relating to Czechoslovakia and Czech Americans
1619-1953
1851-1953
1619-1953
1851-1953
MSS15008
Capek, Thomas, 1861-1950
6,000 items
14 containers plus 4 oversize
6.8 linear feet
Czech
Collection material largely in Czech
Manuscript Division, Library of Congress
Washington, D.C.
Correspondence, memoranda, journals,
writings, printed matter, maps, photographs, and other papers assembled during Capek's
research on the immigration, organizations, institutions, and activities of Czech
Americans. Also includes material concerning Czechoslovakia, Czechs in Great Britain,
Slavic Americans, and Slovak Americans.
Selected Search Terms
The following terms have been used to index the description of this collection in the LC
Catalog. They are grouped by name of person or organization, by subject or location, and
by occupation and listed alphabetically.
People
Bayard, Thomas F. (Thomas Francis), 1868-1942.
Bittner, Bartoš.
Borecký, Jan.
Buňata, Josef, 1846-
Capek, Anne Vostroveský.
Capek, Thomas, 1861-1950.
Capek, Thomas, 1895-
Herrman, Augustine, 1621-1686.
Jonáš, Christina.
Jonáš, Frederic.
Jonáš, Karel, 1840-1896.
Klácel, František Matouš, 1808-1882.
Kořízek, František.
Maresh, Henry R. (Henry Rudolph), 1890-
Masaryk, T. G. (Tomáš Garrigue), 1850-1937.
Masaryková, Charlotta G. (Charlotta Garrigue), 1850-1923.
Massoch, Stephen C.
Palda, Lev J., 1847-1913.
Philipse, Frederick, 1626-1702.
Rosický, Jan, 1845-1910.
Rosický, Rose, 1875-1954.
Snajdr, Vaclav, 1847-1920.
Čapek family.
Subjects
Czech American newspapers.
Czech Americans--Colonization--Russia.
Czech Americans--Genealogy.
Czech Americans--Periodicals.
Czech Americans--Societies, etc.
Czech Americans.
Czech newspapers--Foreign countries.
Czech periodicals--Foreign countries.
Czechs--Great Britain.
Slavic Americans.
Slovak Americans.
Utopias--Russia.
Places
Czechoslovakia--Emigration and immigration.
Czechoslovakia.
United States--Emigration and immigration.
Occupations
Authors.
Businessmen.
Lawyers.
Acquisition Information
The Thomas Capek Collection Relating to Czechoslovakia and Czech Americans was given to
the Library of Congress by Anna Vostroveský Capek between 1953 and 1955.
Processing History
The Thomas Capek Collection Relating to Czechoslovakia and Czech Americans was arranged
and described by Katherine E. Brand with the assistance of Paul L. Horecky and revised
by Margaret Martin and Patrick Kerwin in 2009. The finding aid was updated in 2023 by
Maria Farmer as part of a division-wide remediation project by the Inclusive Description
Working Group.
Additional Guides
A brief press release on this collection was issued by the Library on Apr 15, 1954. A
notice appeared in the Library's
Information Bulletin
on Apr. 12, 1954, and the May 1954 issue of the
Library of Congress Quarterly Journal of Acquisitions
(vol. II, no. 3) also carried a report on the collection.
Transfers
Items have been transferred from the Manuscript Division to other custodial divisions of
the Library. Maps have been transferred to the Geography and Map Division. Posters and
prints have been transferred to the Prints and Photographs Division. Some printed
material has been transferred to the general collections of the Library Division. All
transfers are identified in these divisions as part of the Thomas Capek Collection.
Copyright Status
Copyright in the unpublished writings of Thomas Capek in these papers and in other
collections of papers in the custody of the Library of Congress has been dedicated to
the public.
Access and Restrictions
The Capek Collection is open to research. Researchers are advised to contact the
Manuscript Reading Room prior to visiting. Many collections are stored off-site and
advance notice is needed to retrieve these items for research use.
Preferred Citation
Researchers wishing to cite this collection should include the following information:
Container number, Thomas Capek Collection Relating to Czechoslovakia and Czech
Americans, Manuscript Division, Library of Congress, Washington, D.C.
Biographical Note
Date
Event
1861
Born, Czechoslovakia
1880
Immigrated to the United States
1886
Naturalized as a citizen
1888
LL.B., University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Mich.
1890
1891
Practiced law, Omaha, Nebr.
1890
1891
Member, Nebraska Legislative House of Representatives
1894
Married Anna Vostroveský. One son, Thomas Capek
1895
1910
Practiced law, New York, N.Y.
1906
Published
The Slovaks of Hungary, Slavs and Panslavism.
New York: Knickerbocker Press
1907
Published
Památky Českých Emigrantů v Americe.
Omaha: Nakl. Narodni tiskarny
1910
1912
Vice president, Bank of Europe, New York, N.Y.
1912
1932
President, Bank of Europe, New York, N.Y.
1915
Published
Bohemia Under Hapsburg Misrule.
New York, Chicago, etc.: Fleming H. Revell Co.
1918
Published with Anna Vostroveský Capek
Bohemian (Czech) Bibliography
. New York, Chicago, etc.: Fleming H. Revell Co.
1920
Published
The Čechs (Bohemians) in America.
Boston and New York: Houghton Mifflin Co.
Published with son, Thomas Capek,
The Czechs and Slovaks in American Banking
. New York, Chicago, etc.: Fleming H. Revell Co.
1921
Published
The Czech Community of New York
. New York: The Czechoslovak Section of America's Making, Inc
Published
Jan Vratislav Čapek
. New York
1930
Published
Augustine Herrman of Bohemia Manor
. Praha: [State printing office]
1935
Published
Moje Amerika.
Praha: F. Borovy
1939
Published
Ancestry of Frederick Philipse, First Lord and Founder of Philipse
Manor at Yonkers, N.Y.
New York: Paebar Co.
Published
Czechs and Slovaks in the United States Census.
New York: Paebar Co.
1940
Published
American Czechs in Public Office.
Omaha: Czech Historical Society of Nebraska
Published
Návštěvnici z Cech a Moravy v Americe v Letch 1848-1939
. Chicago: Tiskem Color Printing Co.
1943
Published
Slavs in the United States Census, 1850-1940, with Special References to
Czechoslovaks.
Chicago: Czechoslovak National Council of America
1950, Mar. 28
Died, New York, N.Y.
Scope and Content Note
The collection of Thomas Capek (1861-1950) relating to Czechoslovakia and Czech
Americans spans the years 1619-1953, with the bulk from 1851 to 1953. The collection
consists of correspondence, memoranda, journals, writings, printed matter, maps,
photographs, and other papers assembled during Capek's research on the immigration,
organization, institutions, and activities of Czech Americans. Also included is material
concerning Czechoslovakia, Czechs in Great Britain, Slavic Americans, and Slovak
Americans.
Among the items collected by Capek are newspapers and periodicals published by Czech
Americans or by Czechs in Europe; biographical files on Augustine Herrman, T. G.
Masaryk, Charlotta G. Masaryková, and Frederick Philipse; genealogical material on
Capek's family and others; and the papers and journals of Czech Americans who attempted
to establish a utopian colony in Russia in the mid-nineteenth century. Other individuals
featured include Thomas F. Bayard, Bartoš Bittner, Jan Borecký, Josef Buňata, Anna
Vostroveský Capek, Thomas Capek, Jr., (b.1895), Christina Jonáš, Frederic Jonáš, Karel
Jonáš, František Matouš (Ladimir) Klácel, František Kořízek, Henry R. Maresh, Stephen C.
Massoch, Lev J. Palda, Jan Rosický, Rose Rosický, and Vaclav Snajdr.
Organization of the Papers
The collection is arranged in nine series:
-
[Czech Americans,
1828-1953](czeca1)
-
[Slav, Slovak, and Czech
Immigration to the United States; Czech Organizations, Institutions, and
Activities in the United States, 1851-1953](slavs5)
-
[Czech Newspapers,
Periodicals, and Clippings, 1838-1953](czecc8)
-
[Thomas Capek and Family,
1852-1953](thomf13)
-
[Augustine Herrman of
Maryland Bohemia Manor, 1651-1953](augum14)
-
[Charlotta G. Masaryková and
Tomáš G. Masaryk,1891-1950](charm14)
-
[Frederick Philipse of
Yonkers, New York, 1928-1929](fredy14)
-
[Czechs in Great Britain,
1619-1932](czecb14)
-
[Oversize, 1619-1953](overs)
Catalog Record: [https://lccn.loc.gov/mm78015008]
Container List
Box
Contents
1-4
Czech Americans, 1828-1953
1828-1953
Correspondence addressed to Capek, biographical material, and other material
relating to the history of Czech Americans in the United States.
Arranged by topic or type of material.
1
1-4
Assorted letters to Thomas Capek from American
scholars, ethnic organizations, and institutions regarding Czech (Bohemian)
immigration and settlement in certain areas of the U.S. A considerable amount
of biographical information about prominent individuals is included. 1885-1953
1885-1953
2
1
Typed copies of letters to Capek from Vaclav
Snajdr, prominent American journalist of Czech origin, with some letters to
Snajdr concerning his study of Czechs in the U.S. 1874-1920
1874-1920
2
2
Typescript and manuscript letters from Jan
Borecký to Thomas Capek and his brother. Borecký was one of the earliest Czech
settlers in the U.S. and a prolific writer. 1886-1911
1886-1911
2
3
Manuscript letters from Lev J. Palda and Josef
Buňata to Thomas Capek. The writers were settlers in the U.S. in the 1850s.
1889-1926
1889-1926
2
4
Letters from Karel Jonáš and his brother,
Frederic, and wife, Christina, to Thomas Capek and to the father of Capek's
wife, Anna Vostroveský. Jonáš was lieutenant-governor of Wisconsin and U.S.
consul to St. Petersburg, Russia, and Prague, Czechoslovakia. He died by
suicide at his diplomatic post in Germany. 1885-1920
1885-1920
2
5-6
Typed and manuscript letters from Jan Rosický
and his daughter, Rose Rosický, to Thomas Capek. Rosický was an immigrant and
journalist in Omaha., Nebr. His daughter is the author of the "History of the
Czechs in Nebraska." 1884-1953
1884-1953
2
7-8
Biographies and histories of Czechs in
Milwaukee, Wis. Typescripts with illustrative photographs. 1936
1936
2
9
Typed letter and photographs from Henry R.
Maresh to Thomas Capek, Feb. 3, 1958, about Czechs in Texas and the Southwest.
Also an offprint of an article by Maresh. 1938,
1946
1938, 1946
2
10
Letters, circa 1869-1915. Early Czech-American
history. 1868-1915
1868-1915
2
11
Biographical materials on Ladimír Klácel.
Clippings and a handwritten letter. 1881,
1908
1881, 1908
2
12
Biographical material in English regarding
Frantisek Kořízek, who started
Slovan Amerikansky
, the first Czech newspaper in America, at Racine, Wis., in 1860. 1885
1885
3
1-4
Replies in answer to Thomas Capek's inquiries
regarding the formation of early Czech organizations in the U.S. 1920-1942
1920-1942
4
1-6
Photographs of early Czech settlers in the U.S.
Each is labeled with the subject's name and dates. These were used in the Czech
exposition at the New York World's Fair, New York, N.Y., in 1939. 1828-1944
1828-1944
4
5-7
Slav, Slovak, and Czech Immigration to
the United States; Czech Organizations, Institutions, and Activities in the United
States, 1851-1953
1851-1953
Correspondence, memoranda, notes, photographs, postcards, maps, organizational
material, textbooks, clippings, travelogues and printed matter.
Arranged by topic or type of material.
5
1
Photographs and postcards of miscellaneous Czech
monuments in the U.S. Includes a written list of some monuments. 1851-1931
1851-1931
5
2
Photographs of meeting places and memberships of
Czech organizations in the U.S. Includes a clipping. 1921-1953
1921-1953
5
3
Constitutions, bylaws, and recording
secretaries' notes relating to Czech organizations in New York. Some of the
items are in pamphlet form; others are manuscripts, presumably originals. 1859-1920
1859-1920
5
4
Graphic representation of Czech immigration in
the U.S. Photocopies of originals compiled from the U.S. census and other data.
1910-1930
1910-1930
5
5
"The Czechs (Bohemians) in America." Printed
reproductions of photographs of Czech Americans. circa 1920, 1939
circa 1920,
1939
5
6
"America's Making Exposition held in New York
City." 1921 Various brochures on the contributions of Slavic immigrants to
American life. 1921
1921
5
7
Newspaper clippings and manifesto pertaining to
the history of Czech immigration to the U.S. 1862,
1909
1862, 1909
5
8
Textbook on morals by Bartoš Bittner. 1898
1898
5
9
Letter from the Imperial Austro-Hungarian consul
general in Chicago, Ill., 14 Jan. 1916, regarding financial support of the
Czech weekly,
Vesmír
. Includes clippings and miscellaneous numbered pages. 1865-1916
1865-1916
5
10
Historical pamphlets and clippings. undated
undated
5
11
One share of stock in the New York Cigar
Cooperative Manufacturing Co. July
1874.
July 1874.
6
1-2
Notes in Thomas Capek's handwriting about the
Rev. Stephen C. Massoch, who wrote the first Czech book published in the U.S.
1869-1936
869-1936
6
3
Maps, 1865-1868
1865-1868
6
4
Papers and journals of a group of Czech
Americans who set forth to establish a utopian colony in Russia in the
mid-nineteenth century. Included are a map of the area and the budget for the
expedition. Mrs. Capek believes these to be the only records of the group.
1860-1911
1860-1911
6
5
Memoranda by American Slovaks written during and
after World War I concerning Slovak autonomy. 1914-1923
1914-1923
6
6
Independent Bohemia
(pamphlet). From Tomáš G. Masaryk, sent to Thomas Capek. 1915
1915
6
7
"Protokol Druhého Sjezdu Národního Vyboru"
(pamphlet). 1892
1892
6
8-9
Travelogues by Czech authors about America
(monographs)
1855-1930
1855-1930
7
1-6
1902-1947
1902-1947
7
8-12
Czech Newspapers, Periodicals, and
Clippings, 1838-1953
1838-1953
Newspapers, pamphlets, playbills, and other printed matter published in the United
States and Europe.
Arranged by topic or type of material.
8
1
Czech newspapers and playbills from Chicago,
Ill., Cleveland, Ohio, St. Louis, Mo., New York, N.Y., and Pittsburgh, Pa.
Includes No. 1 of
Obrama
(19 Mar. 1887), an early New York communist paper. 1854-1953
1854-1953
8
2
Czech newspapers published in the U.S. The cover
of the first Czech reader for children in America is included (Racine, Wis.,
1864). 1860-1913
1860-1913
8
3-4
Copies of
New Yorské Listy
and one issue of
New York Humoristické
. 1862-1940
1862-1940
8
5
Czech-language newspapers published in Berlin,
Germany, by revolutionary refugees, including a number of issues of
Blaník
and one (only known copy?) issue of
Correspondence Tchéque
, published in French in Berlin, Germany, by the same group. 1868-1869
1868-1869
9
1
Stitched issues of
Kwěty
, Czechoslovakia. 1838
1838
9
2
Early Czech newspapers published in New York,
N.Y., ; Chicago, Ill.; Omaha, Nebr.; and Racine, Wis. 1892, circa 1904
1892, circa
1904
9
3
Photocopies of newspaper pages used as
illustrations in Thomas Capek's book,
Fifty Years of Czech Press
. 1852-1917
1852-1917
9
4-6
Articles from newspapers regarding Czech
settlers. Holograph notes. 1861-1915
1861-1915
10
1-5
Newspapers covering the fiftieth jubilee of
Czech newspaper publishing in the U.S. 1908-1950
1908-1950
Diblík
, vol. 2, nos. 1-44, a weekly humor journal. 1878
[
See Oversize
](over110)
1878
Patriot
(bound), edited and published by Jan V. Capek, New York. 1883-1884
[
See Oversize
](over210)
1883-1884
11
1-3
Hlas Jednoty Obci Svobodomyslných
Rocnik 1-2. 1872-1875
1872-1875
Rocnik 3-6. 1875-1878
1875-1878
Rocnik 7-14. 1879-1881
1879-1881
12
1
Pamphlets
Husuvlid
(The People of John Hus), Chicago, Ill., Rotnik-XIV. June-July 1953
June-July
1953
The American-Czechoslovak Fellowship
(1942)
1942
T. G. Musark & The Slavonic Problem
. 1939
1939
Jan Hus Annuals. 1927, 1930.
1927, 1930.
12
2
Květy Americké
: Ruy 1, II, III. 1884-1887
1884-1887
(1 vol.)
12
12-14
Thomas Capek and Family, 1852-1953
1852-1953
Correspondence and writings by Thomas Capek and biographical material relating to
the Capek family.
Arranged by topic or type of material.
12
3-5
Correspondence received by Thomas Capek. 1889-1952
1889-1952
13
1-4
Letters from Bohemia, France, England, and
elsewhere. 1889-1946
1889-1946
13
5-6
Letters of special interest, invitations, and
other material. 1852-1953
1852-1953
13
7-8
Writings by Thomas Capek. 1920-1950
1920-1950
14
1-2
Correspondence, some of which contains
biographical information on Capek. 1904-1951
1904-1951
14
3
Anna Vostroveský Capek, sketch of life,
photograph, bibliography, and organizational information. 1918-1953
1918-1953
14
4
Thomas Capek, Jr., writings and photograph.
1933-1944
1933-1944
14
5
Thomas Capek, obituaries, 1928, 1950
1928, 1950
14
14
Augustine Herrman of Maryland Bohemia
Manor, 1651-1953
1651-1953
Correspondence, articles, and reproductions of ecclesiastical records and maps
relating to Augustine Herrman.
Arranged by topic or type of material.
14
6-7
Letters and articles used by Thomas Capek in
preparing various works about Herrman. Anna Vostroveský Capek, who collaborated
with her husband in his work on Herrman, felt that much of this source material
was not fully used. Letters from Thomas F. Bayard, owner of the manor, circa
1927-1931, are included. 1927-1947
1927-1947
Photostatic copies of official New York,
British, and ecclesiastical records relating to Herrman. 1651-1953
[
See Oversize
](over114)
1651-1953
Photocopies of Herrman's maps and a map of his
property. 1673
[
See Oversize
](over214)
1673
14
Charlotta G. Masaryková and Tomáš G.
Masaryk, 1891-1950
1891-1950
Correspondence and printed matter relating to Charlotta G. Masaryková and Tomáš G.
Masaryk.
Arranged by topic or type of material.
14
Letters to Thomas Capek from members of
Masaryková's family. 1891-1950
[
See Oversize
](over314)
1891-1950
Newspapers and journals containing articles on
Masaryk at the time of his death. 1930,
1937
[
See Oversize
](over414)
1930, 1937
14
Frederick Philipse of Yonkers, New
York, 1928-1929
1928-1929
Biographical material about Philipse, a Czech immigrant of the seventeenth
century.
Arranged by topic or type of material.
14
Biographical material about Philipse, a Czech
immigrant of the seventeenth century. 1928-1929
[
See Oversize
](over514)
1928-1929
14
Czechs in Great Britain, 1619-1932
1619-1932
Reproductions of title pages, photographs, and other material relating to Czechs
in Great Britain.
Arranged by topic or type of material.
14
Facsimiles of title pages of early British books
on Czechs and of portraits of prominent Czechs in Great Britain and British
subjects of Czech origin. 1619-1932
[
See Oversize
](over614)
1619-1932
OV 1-OV 4
Oversize, 1619-1953
1619-1953
Oversize correspondence, printed matter, facsimiles, and other reproductions of
documents.
Arranged and described according to the series, containers, and folders which the
material was removed.
OV 1
Czech Newspapers, Periodicals, and
Clippings
OV 1
1
Diblík
, vol. 2, nos. 1-44. 1878
(Container 10)
1878
OV 1
2
Patriot
(bound), edited and published by Jan V. Capek, New York. 1883-1884 (Container 10)
1883-1884
OV 2
Augustine Herrman of Maryland Bohemia
Manor
OV 2
1-2
Photostats of official New York,
British, and ecclesiastical records relating to Herrman. 1651-1953 (Container 14)
1651-1953
OV 2
3
Photocopies of Herrman's maps
and a map of his property. 1673
(Container 14)
1673
Charlotta G. Masaryková and Thomás
Masaryk
OV 2
4
Letters to Thomas Capek from
members of Masaryková's family. 1891-1950 (Container 14)
1891-1950
Newspapers and journals
containing articles on Masaryk at the time of his death. 1930, 1937 (Container 14)
1930, 1937
OV 2
5
Miscellaneous
OV 3
1
Miscellaneous
OV 4
1
Frederick Philipse of Yonkers, New
York
Biographical material about
Philipse, a Czech immigrant of the seventeenth century. 1928-1929 (Container 14)
1928-1929
OV 4
2
Czechs in Great Britain
Facsimiles of title pages of
early British books on Czechs and of portraits of prominent Czechs in Great
Britain and British subjects of Czech origin. 1619-1932 (Container 14)
1619-1932