There is little personal information in this collection and the correspondence is fragmentary. Business ledgers document transactions with livestock ranchers and customers in Arizona, Colorado, California, and Mexico. Oversized boxes include Yuma Postmaster citations for service and an educational certificate for Mary Piedad, Joseph’s sister as well as a postcard scrapbook compiled by another sister, Lilah. Note that Balsz family photographs can be found in the AHS-Rio Colorado Subject Photograph Collection.
The bulk of this collection are drafts of Josephine’s short stories and novelettes, many of which are based on stories told by Joe Balsz growing up along the Rio Colorado River as a rancher and part of the extended and influential Balsz-Redondo family. Manuscript dates are largely unknown. The writings provide insights into personalities, relationships, and life in early 20th Century Yuma. She wrote under several pen names including Joshua Sands, Jean Sands and Josephine Canét. It is not known what, if any, of the manuscripts were published. The publications listed below were used as resources for various writings or collected for the Balsz’s private library.
Arranged in two series under each name and alphabetically and chronologically within.
