Letter: Looking for 'Berkeley Newspaper' That Photographed Triplets

By Jack Turner

My grandfather, Ansel F. Hall, was the Chief Naturalist and Forester for the National Park Service. His office was at UC Berkeley in the 1920’s and 30’s.  Much of his work is in the archives at the Bancroft Library. He’s well known among NPS community especially for showing Ansel Adams how to use his first camera when my grandfather was a ranger at Yosemite in 1919 (it’s an odd coincidence that both men have the same first name). 

Here’s one of many sources you’ll find on the internet: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ansel_Franklin_Hall

Ansel (my grandfather) built an amazing home, Villa Tramonto, next to Cragmont Park (971 Hilldale Ave.) based on a villa he visited in Italy when he was doing research to build the first museums for the National Park System.  Ansel and his wife June had six children, including a set of triplets born in Berkeley on March 17, 1933.

My mother is one of the triplets (all are still alive) and this March 17, they will all be 80 years old. They will be celebrating here in Durango, Colo. where my mother and father live.

The reason I am writing is that according to my mother, the “Berkeley Newspaper” came to their house every year to photograph the triplets and their family because it was such a novelty for triplets to survive in those days.  

The triplets were also the subjects of a multi-year study of hereditary conducted by the University that still goes on to this day. So I am trying to find out what the “Berkeley Newspaper” is and if it’s still in business. I’ve contacted the Daily Californian but haven’t received any reply.

If you know the answer, please email jturner@landscapesonglass.com.