Allan Radbourne was a writer and historian. In addition to
numerous journal and magazine articles about Western history, he published an acclaimed
biography of Apache Scout Mickey Free in 2005 called Mickey Free: Apache captive,
interpreter, and Indian Scout. Later in life he began writing about the early cinema,
with a history of silent movies titled The Silent Mountie Movies-1910-1930 published
posthumously in 2021. The Allan Radbourne collection consists of 7 series of records,
notes, photographs, articles, transcriptions, presentations and other reference
materials related to Southwestern Frontier and Borderlands History circa 1800's and
early 1900's created by Allan Radbourne. Inclusive dates reflect the original date of
the primary source material if available or if it is transcribed from an original source
material. Born digital material found on a flash drive can be found in Series
V.
Collection Number:
MS 765
Repository:
University of Arizona Libraries, Special Collections
University of Arizona
PO Box 210055
Tucson, AZ 85721-0055
Phone: 520-621-6423
Fax: 520-621-9733
URL: http://speccoll.library.arizona.edu/
E-Mail: LBRY-askspcoll@email.arizona.edu
Biographical Note
Allan (no middle name) Radbourne was born on May 21, 1944 in Stone, Staffordshire,
England. His parents were Edward George Radbourne and Edith May Harvey, and he had a
younger sister, Jennifer. He always credited his mother for inspiring his love of
reading and history. He grew up going to the cinema on Saturdays, and his favorite
cowboy movie stars were Ken Maynard, Buck Jones, and Colonel Tim McCoy. When Allan was
17, his father died. Allan turned down a chance to go to art college in order to support
his mother. Over the years, he worked in a variety of jobs that included work in
factories, shops, supermarkets, hotels, bars, and nightclubs, and finally an automotive
company, AE Goetze, Llc., where he worked on the shop floor and then as a training
officer. In 1973, Allan met Marion Jones when she attended the annual general meeting of
the English Westerners' Society. They married two years later (1975) in a small ceremony
in Taunton, Somerset. The couple resided initially in Wolverhampton, Taunton, and
Bridgewater. He and Marion were interested in cinema, the American frontier, and
medieval history. He joined the English Westerners' Society in the 1960s, and over time
served as chairman (1975–1977), assistant editor (1975–1979), and editor (1981–1985). In
addition to numerous journal and magazine articles about Western history, he published
an acclaimed biography of Apache Scout Mickey Free in 2005 called Mickey Free: Apache
captive, interpreter, and Indian Scout. He traveled three times to Arizona (2000, 2004,
2006), to do research, visit relatives of Mickey Free, and see the country he knew so
well from his research. He had several additional books planned on Apache history, but
began writing about the early cinema, with a history of silent movies titled The Silent
Mountie Movies-1910-1930 published posthumously in 2021. Allan Radbourne passed on June
11, 2019, at the age of 75 in Taunton.
Scope and Content Note
The collection consists of 7 series of records, notes, photographs, articles,
transcriptions, presentations and other reference materials related to Southwestern
Frontier and Borderlands History circa 1800's-early 1900's created by Allan Radbourne.
It contains research surrounding articles and papers published by Allan Radbourne in
True West, Real West, The Journal of Arizona History, The Order of the Indian Wars
Journal, and in Wild West. It includes reference materials, photographs and notes for
Mickey Free, Apache Captive, Interpreter, and Indian Scout that was published in 2005
and photocopies of a collection of Radbourne writings from 1972-2021. It also holds a
series of index cards of source materials, in alphabetical order, for Radbourne's work.
Inclusive dates reflect the original date of the primary source material if available or
if it is transcribed from an original source material. Born-digital material, found on a
flash drive, has also been surveyed and processed to make available for public access.
An appointment is necessary to access digital records. Please contact Special
Collections for more information.
Copyright
It is the responsibility of the user to obtain permission to publish from theowner of
the copyright (the institution, the creator of the record, the author or his/her
transferees, heirs, legates, or literary executors). The user agrees to indemnify and
hold harmless the Arizona Board of Regents for the University of Arizona, its officers,
employees, and agents from and against all claims made by any person asserting that he
or she is an owner of copyright.
Access Terms
Personal Name(s)
Davisson,
Lori
Ferg, Alan
Free, Mickey, 1847-1914
Randall, A. F. (A. Frank)
Geographic Name(s)
Arizona -- History, Military -- 19th Century --
Sources
Indian Territory -- History
Southwest, New -- History -- 1848-
Subject(s)
Apache Indians
Frontier and pioneer life -- Arizona
Indians of North America -- Government relations
Indians of North America -- Southwest, New --
Photographs
This series consists of 23, alphabetized folders containing research materials,
writings, and photographs regarding frontier history and Apache historical figures
researched by Allan Radbourne. There are 7 folders containing research material
specific to Mickey Free for Radbourne's book, Mickey Free: Apache Captive,
Interpreter, and Indian Scout with one additional folder containing
original artwork used for the publication. The remaining folders consist of
printed material and photocopies of primary source material surrounding the
historical figures, mostly from the 1800's to early 1920's. They also consist of
both photocopied historical correspondence regarding these figures and
correspondence between Radbourne and various people tracking his procurement of
research material. Folders may also contain published articles used in research,
manuscripts, news clippings, military rolls, photographs, and transcribed articles
and other material from primary sources. Inclusive dates reflect the original date
of the primary source material if available or if it is transcribed from an
original source material.
This series consists of 36 folders alphabetized by last name of historical figure
(non-Apache) in frontier history researched by Allan Radbourne. The folders
consist of writings, notes and printed material and photocopies of primary source
material surrounding the historical figures, mostly from the 1800's to early
1920's. They also consist of both photocopied historical correspondence regarding
these figures and correspondence between Radbourne and various people tracking his
procurement of research material. Folders may also contain published articles used
in research, unprinted manuscripts, news clippings, military rolls, photographs,
and transcribed articles and other material from primary sources. Dates reflect
the original date of the primary source material if available or if it is
transcribed from an original source material.
box
folder
1
24
Ames, Andrew, undated
1
25
Antonio, Manuel, undated
1
26
Arnold, Abraham Kerns, undated
1
27
Bascom, George N., circa 1860-1989
box
folder
2
1
Bennett, Frank P., circa 1882-1995
2
2
Blocksom, Augustus Perry, undated
2
3
Bourke, John Gregory, circa 1872-1935
2
4
Bowman, Samuel, circa 1874-1968
2
5
Buell, George P., 1960
2
6
Cahill, Francis P., circa 1794-1984
2
7
Chase, George F., circa 1883-1885
2
8
Colyer, Vincent, 1871
2
9
Crook, George (General Crook Conferences), circa 1881-1882
This series consists of research material held in 8 folders about specific
locations, organizations, or geographical areas of significant importance in
frontier history and the work of Allan Radbourne. The folders consist of
handwritten and typed transcriptions, letters, photocopies, and printings of
primary source materials such as lists, military rolls, notes, and articles about
these locations or organizations. Photocopied historical correspondence regarding
these figures and correspondence between Radbourne and various people tracking his
procurement of research material is included. They also include copies of some
journal articles published about these topics that were used by Radbourne for
research. Inclusive dates reflect the original date of the primary source material
if available or if it is transcribed from an original source material.
box
folder
2
33
Apache Pass, circa 1862-2002
2
34
Fort Apache: Camp Apache, circa 1870-1875
2
35
Fort Apache: Post Cemetary, circa 1873-1921
2
36
Rio Verde Agency, circa 1874-1875
2
37
San Carlos: Camp San Carlos,, circa 1873-1971
2
38
San Carlos: Chiricahua Apaches at San Carlos, circa 1877-1886
This series consists of 50, alphabetized folders containing miscellaneous research
materials, writings, and photographs regarding frontier history compiled and used
by Allan Radbourne. There are 6 folders pertaining to the Adjutant General's
Office that contain photocopies or transcriptions of letters, lists and rolls from
the late 1800's. There are 3 folders of U.S Census records, 3 folders containing
correspondence between Radbourne and various people tracking his procurement of
research material, and 4 folders regarding Indian scouts during this time period.
The series consists of 6 Radbourne folders containing reference maps, publications
including his 2021 book The Silent Mountie Movies, 1910-1930, microfilm
indexes and Radbourne biographical materials. The remaining folders consist of
printed material and photocopies of primary source material surrounding frontier
history, mostly from the 1800's to early 1920's. Folders may also contain
published articles used in research, manuscripts, news clippings, military rolls,
photographs, journals, and transcribed articles and other material from primary
sources. Inclusive dates reflect the original date of the primary source material
if available or if it is transcribed from an original source material.
box
folder
2
41
Adjutant General's Office, folder 1 of 6, circa 1883-1888
2
42
Adjutant General's Office, folder 2 of 6, 1873
2
43
Adjutant General's Office, folder 3 of 6, 1875
2
44
Adjutant General's Office, folder 4 of 6, 1875
2
45
Adjutant General's Office, folder 5 of 6, circa 1877-1878
2
46
Adjutant General's Office, folder 6 of 6, 1884
box
folder
3
1
Apache and Yavapai Chiefs' names, circa 1859-1993
3
2
Arizona Miner notes, circa 1871-1879
3
3
Band tags, circa 1893-2003
3
4
Cavalry officers 1890's, circa 1880-2007
3
5
Census records: Fort Apache, folder 1 of 2, circa 1890-1915
3
6
Census records: Fort Apache, folder 2 of 2, 1915
3
7
Census records: San Carlos, circa 1880-1906
3
8
Correspondence, folder 1 of 3, circa 1887-2009
3
9
Correspondence, folder 2 of 3, circa 1966-1997
3
10
Correspondence, folder 3 of 3, circa 1978-1995
3
11
Department of Arizona, circa 1870-1992
3
12
Indian scouts, folder 1 of 4, circa 1876-1988
3
13
Indian scouts, folder 2 of 4, circa 1876-1988
3
14
Indian scouts, folder 3 of 4, circa 1879-1883
3
15
Indian scouts, folder 4 of 4, 2013
3
16
Medal of Honor recipients, circa 1873-1983
3
17
Mexican-Apache frontier, circa 1831-1983
3
18
Military reports, circa 1882-1884
3
19
Miscellaneous photocopies, folder 1 of 4, circa 1882-1884
box
folder
4
1
Miscellaneous photocopies, folder 2 of 4, circa 1885-1981
4
2
Miscellaneous photocopies, folder 3 of 4, circa 1865-1997
4
3
Miscellaneous photocopies, folder 4 of 4, circa 1872-1982
4
4
National Archives, folder 1 of 4, circa 1900-1990
4
5
National Archives, folder 2 of 4, circa 1961-1983
4
6
National Archives, folder 3 of 4, circa 1869-1886
4
7
National Archives, folder 4 of 4, circa 1871-1887
4
8
Office of Indian Affairs, circa 1870-1999
4
9
Order of the Indian Wars, folder 1 of 2, circa 1980-1981
4
10
Order of the Indian Wars, folder 2 of 2, circa 1982-1984
4
11
Pawnee Indian Scouts, folder 1 of 2, circa 1860-2009
4
12
Pawnee Indian Scouts, folder 2 of 2, circa 1972-2008
English.
4
13
Quartermaster employees, circa 1868-1892
4
14
Quartermaster records, circa 1881-1886
4
15
Returns and orders, circa 1870-1879
4
16
San Carlos Indian Police, folder 1 of 3, circa 1880-1999
4
17
San Carlos Indian Police, folder 2 of 3, circa 1869-1979
4
18
San Carlos Indian Police, folder 3 of 3, undated
4
19
U.S Army Casualties, circa 1871-1877
4
20
Radbourne, Allan publications, folder 1 of 2, circa 1964-1979
4
21
Radbourne, Allan, folder 2 of 2, circa 1929-1968
box
folder
5
1
Radbourne, Allan, reference maps, circa 1879-2006
5
2
Radbourne, Allan, The Silent Mountie Movies, 1910-1930
, 2021
5
3
Radbourne, Allan, microfilm indexes, circa 1872-1985
This series consists of 19 folders of photographs, transparancies, and historic
photographs copied onto paper from various sources that held the primary resources
such as the National Archives, the Arizona Historical Society, the Smithsonian,
the Colorado Historical Society, the Huntington, and more. It also includes
photographs from private parties, and copies on paper of various presentations and
public talks given by Radbourne. One folder contains a red photo book with various
photographs and notes regarding Mickey Free. One folder contains a USB thumbdrive
with presentations given by Radbourne titled Mickey Free, Western Apache
and Yavapai Chiefs, and Capturing Apaches. All photographs relate to
the research and writing done by Radbourne surrounding frontier and Borderlands
History, and 3 folders are dedicated exclusively to Mickey Free. 22.7 MB of
Born-digital material found on a flash drive is included in this series.
box
folder
5
5
Apache and Yavapai photographs presentation, 2021
5
6
Capturing Apache: The Photographs of A. Frank Randall
presentation, 2021
This series consists of 43 folders of duplicate photocopies, and sometimes
original, writings by Allan Radbourne. These are published writings spanning the
years 1972 to 2021 and are in order by date of publication, with the exception
being a co-authored work from Radbourne and Rasch in 1985. Some original material
included is from The Journal of Arizona History and The English
Westerner's Society. The majority of the work is photcopied from the
original. Some items are held elsewhere in special collections.
Series consists of index cards with source material, in alphabetical order, for
names of Apaches and Yavapai research, names of non-Apaches or Yavapai, Army
officers, and miscellaneous subjects. Includes notecards for source material for
the Mickey Free book, located with the names of Apache grouping. This
series of cards lists a large voume of sources for Radbourne's research including
people, places, subjects and more from Southwestern Frontier and Borderlands
history, specifically the research by Allan Radbourne on these topics.
