Seferino Vela Papers
Scope and Contents Note
Contains speeches, correspondence, sound recordings, microfilm copies of certificates, newspaper clippings, and a photograph; material dates from the late 1930s through 1981. Reflects the activities of Seferino Vela in political campaigns, League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC), and as a sales representative for the Gulf Brewing Company. Speeches endorse political candidates including Gerald Mann, Dan Moody, Maury Maverick, Ralph Yarborough, Ben Barnes, and Henry Cisneros, as well as many local San Antonio and Bexar County office seekers. Radio speeches and advertising spots not only promote political candidates, but also include Mothers' Day tributes and ads for Grand Prize beer. Correspondence includes letters from LULAC officers, politicians, and Gulf Brewing Company managers. Correspondents include Jake RodrÃguez, Ezequiel Salinas, James Tafolla, Sr., and Mauro Machado.
Consists of three series: 1. Correspondence, 2. Speeches, and 3. Audiovisual materials. Correspondence arranged chronologically.
Dates
- Creation: 1935-1981
Language of Materials
English, Spanish
Access Restrictions
Unrestricted.
Use Restrictions
Standard copyright restrictions apply.
Biographical Sketch
Civic leader and political campaign manager. Known as Chefe Vela, full name Seferino Salais Vela. Raised in Kenedy, Texas, where he served as president of LULAC Council #64. Became LULAC District Organizer in 1939. Moved to San Antonio in 1942. Supported many Democratic candidates for office, including Dan Moody, Gerald Mann, Maury Maverick, Ralph Yarborough, and Henry Cisneros by making radio speeches and giving talks in both English and Spanish, appealing to Mexican American voters.
Full Extent
2.42 linear feet
Abstract
Personal papers of Mexican American civic leader Seferino "Chefe" Vela include speeches, correspondence, sound recordings, clippings, and a photograph of Vela. The collection documents Vela's involvement in political campaigns and with the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC).
Acquisition Information
Acquired in 1981 and 1982.
Processing Information
Previous processing work by Benson staff, circa 1989. Additional processing work by Carla O. Alvarez, 2025.
- Title
- Seferino Vela Papers
- Status
- Edited Full Draft
- Author
- Nettie Lee Benson Latin American Collection
- Date
- 2008
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
- Language of description note
- Finding aid written in English.
Revision Statements
- 2021 June: Edited by Carla O. Alvarez to fix compliance check errors to prepare for the migration to new TARO website.
- 2021 November: Edited by Devon Murphy to update control access terms and formatting based on the TARO Control Access List.
- 2025 March: Edited by Carla O. Alvarez to include inventory and make other description updates.
- 2025 July: Revised by Ryan Sullivant to fix validation errors prior to ingestion into ArchivesSpace.
- 2026: Edited by Carla O. Alvarez.
Repository Details
Part of the Benson Latin American Collection, The University of Texas at Austin Repository
2300 Red River Street
Austin Texas 78712 United States
(512) 495-4578
bensonspecialcollections@austin.utexas.edu