Tumbaga Family Collection
Dublin Core
Title
Tumbaga Family Collection
Description
Benny Tumbaga was born on October 17, 1910 in the municipality of San Fernando in the La Union province of the Philippines. In 1926, Benny migrated to the United States and arrived in Portland, Oregon. In Portland and Seattle, Washington, Benny worked in restaurants. He also migrated to Alaska to engage in seasonal fisheries labor. In 1930, Benny’s brother, Adriano “Andy” Tumbaga arrived in the United States. The Tumbaga brothers were musicians. Benny played the piano and trumpet. Andy played the guitar and drums. Together, they formed a band that performed in hotels and dance halls throughout the American West. In addition to being traveling musicians, Benny and Andy continued to work in agricultural fields and restaurants.
In 1938, Benny met Elva Valdez, a Mexican American woman from Phoenix, Arizona. Elva’s birthdate and birthplace are unknown. Eventually, Benny and Elva married (the exact date and location of their wedding is unknown). Soon after their initial meeting in 1938, Benny, Elva, and Elva’s daughter (also named Elva) from a previous relationship, moved to San Francisco. There, Benny worked as the head waiter at the Claremont Hotel and Elva began studying to become a nurse. While living in San Francisco, Benny and Elva had a son, Ben Tumbaga Jr. (b. 1942).
In 1942, the Tumbaga family moved to Watsonville where Benny and Andy bought land to farm strawberries. Benny and Elva had three more children, Francisco (b. unknown, d. unknown), Charles (b. unknown), and Lydia (b. 1951).
Throughout their lives, Benny and Andy continued to supplement their incomes by performing as musicians at community dances and events in Watsonville and the Pajaro Valley area. Benny passed away in 1991.
The Tumbaga Family Collection was contributed to Watsonville in the Heart in 2021 by Benny and Elva Tumbaga's daughter, Lydia Tumbaga Brumblay. The collection contains one item, an oral history interview with Lydia. In the interview, she speaks about her father's migrant labor and career as a musician. She also shares her perceptions of shifting racial dynamics in Watsonville.
In 1938, Benny met Elva Valdez, a Mexican American woman from Phoenix, Arizona. Elva’s birthdate and birthplace are unknown. Eventually, Benny and Elva married (the exact date and location of their wedding is unknown). Soon after their initial meeting in 1938, Benny, Elva, and Elva’s daughter (also named Elva) from a previous relationship, moved to San Francisco. There, Benny worked as the head waiter at the Claremont Hotel and Elva began studying to become a nurse. While living in San Francisco, Benny and Elva had a son, Ben Tumbaga Jr. (b. 1942).
In 1942, the Tumbaga family moved to Watsonville where Benny and Andy bought land to farm strawberries. Benny and Elva had three more children, Francisco (b. unknown, d. unknown), Charles (b. unknown), and Lydia (b. 1951).
Throughout their lives, Benny and Andy continued to supplement their incomes by performing as musicians at community dances and events in Watsonville and the Pajaro Valley area. Benny passed away in 1991.
The Tumbaga Family Collection was contributed to Watsonville in the Heart in 2021 by Benny and Elva Tumbaga's daughter, Lydia Tumbaga Brumblay. The collection contains one item, an oral history interview with Lydia. In the interview, she speaks about her father's migrant labor and career as a musician. She also shares her perceptions of shifting racial dynamics in Watsonville.
Contributor
Lydia Tumbaga Brumblay
Collection Items
There are currently no items within this collection.
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