File contains five books that once belonged to the Sylvester family:
• The Women of Israel, by Grace Aguilar. Vol. 1. New York: D. Appleton & Company, 1860. Signed: “From Frank Sylvester to his sister Rachel Cohen Victoria, B.C., November 1861. For beauty of language, and depth of true religious precepts this work is unsurpassed – all who desire to read a truly good and instructive book, should read this work. Frank Sylvester.”
• The Authorized Daily Prayer Book of the United Hebrew Congregations of the British Empire. With a new translation by the Rev. S. Singer. Published under the sanction of the Late Chief Rabbi Dr. Nathan Marcus Adler. 6th edition. London: Eyre and Spottiswood, 1900. Signed: “Cecelia Sylvester, 40 Frederick St., Victoria, B.C.”.
• The World as Exhibited in the Manners, Customs and Characteristics of all Nations, by Rev. J.L. Blake, D.D. 5th edition, revised. New York: Leavitt & Allen, 1853. Signed on the inside cover, and embossed on the cover: “Presented to Francis Sylvester by the School Officers of the Tenth Ward.” Note: front cover has come off.
• The Form of Prayers for the Day of Atonement, according to the Custom of the German and Polish Jews, as read in their synagogues, and used in their families. Translated and printed into English from the Hebrew, by David Levy. Vol. II, fourth edition with amendments. London: H. Abrahams, [1851-1852].
• Cassell’s Illustrated Family Bible. Holy Bible. Vol. I. London and New York: Cassell, Petter & Galpin, 1860. Cover embossed: “Frank Sylvester”. Note: Back cover has come off.

File contains photocopies of Frank Sylvester journal entries. it is not known where these copies came from or where the originals are.

File contains photographs.

File contains photographs.

File contains prints.

File contains eighteen letters from Abraham Blackman in Victoria to his brother Morris document the development and changes of their mercantile business in Victoria, New Westminster, and the Cariboo during the heyday of the Cariboo Gold Rush.

File contains the first report by the Secretary, A. Hoffman, to the congregation. Manuscript of five pages, dated and docketed 22 November 1862, Victoria, Vancouver Island, folded, docketed on outside as “Secretary’s Report Nov. 22/62”. Reports on meetings, efforts to raise funds, etc.

Single page manuscript, written on both sides, apparently recording names and amounts of contributors for a fundraiser for the synagogue; “Tickets sold by I. Grundbaum & Jacobs, manuscript, c. 1862, Victoria.”

File contains the original donor list for building Congregation Emanu-El (November 26, 1862). Document reads: "Victoria, November 26, 1862 - Subscription List - We the undersigned hereby agree to pay to the Congregation Emnau-El of Victoria [V.I.] for the purpose of erecting a brick synagogue the sums sett [sic] opposite to our respective names. Payments to be made on call of the committee in four installments..."

File contains copies of the Congregation Emanu-El constitutions and their revisions.