urn:taro:aushc.00291 Burmese and Karen Communities Collection An Inventory of the Collection Finding aid prepared by Esther Chung. Austin History Center, Austin Public Library July 06, 2012
810 GuadalupePO BOX 2287Austin, TX 78768
 Finding aid encoded by Rebecca Herscowitz on July 06, 2012 Overview of the Collection Austin History Center, Austin Public Library,
810 Guadalupe, PO BOX 2287, Austin, TX 78768
 Hser, Paw Khu Burmese and Karen Communities Collection 2000-2011 2011 .20 linear feet (1 box) Refugees from Burma, mainly the Karen ethnic group, have been settling in Austin increasing in numbers in the late 2000’s. This collection contains clippings, photographs, and a video of a Karen New Year event in Austin. AR.2011.006 Archives stacks The records are in English. Administrative History

The Burmese and Karen population in Austin boomed in the late 2000’s as many of them left their country due to political turmoil and immigrated to the United States. After spending months or years in refugee camps in Thailand some have settled in Austin, Texas, hoping to start their lives anew in America. Many of them have been sponsored by local churches and social service organizations that have assisted their transition into their new country.

Scope and Contents

The bulk of this collection originates from a donation from a group of Karen leaders heavily involved with their communities. Items include national articles about the Burmese and Karen refugees, photographs from refugee camps as well as special events in Austin. In addition, there are two disks of photographs of the Htoo Family depicting intimate home life of a Burmese family. Also in the collection are three DVD’s of a Karen New Year celebration in 2010.

 Arrangement

Collection is arranged by document type.

 Related Material

AF- Asian Americans- Burmese/Karen A7005(1) General

 Index Terms

This record series is indexed under the following controlled access subject terms.

Persons: Hser, Paw Khu. Htoo, Bicento. Htoo, Eh Thame. Htoo, Kayler. Htoo, Or Or. Raw, Paw Htoo. Organizations: St. David’s Episcopal Church (Austin, Tex.). Places: Burma. Austin (Tex.) Subjects: Burmese. Burmese Americans. Burmese United States. Karen (Southeast Asian people). Karen (Southeast Asian people)--Ethnic identity. Document Types: Clippings. Photographs. DVD. Restrictions on Access

Open to all users.

 Restrictions on Use

None.

 Custodial History

Materials were kept by Paw Khu Hser and donated to the Austin History Center.

Photo Disks were created by Lizzie Chen.

 Preferred Citation

Burmese and Karen Communities Collection (AR.2011.006). Austin History Center, Austin Public Library, Texas.

 Acquisition Information

Donor #: DO/2011/009

Donation Date: 03/03/2011

 Processing Information

Final Processing and Finding Aid By/Date: Esther Chung/2012

 Detailed Description of the Collection 1 1 Clippings, 2000s 1 2 Video/Ephemera, 2011 1 3 Photos, 2000-2011