Thomas A. Williams family papers
Overview
The Thomas A. Williams family papers are those of several generations of a long time Kansas family. It also includes items from Mattie Williams family, the Graves, and Harrison Dean Williams' in-laws, the Moores-McClouds.
Dates
- Creation: 1866 - 2017
Creator
Conditions Governing Access
No access restrictions.
Audio visual materials are stored in the KU Annex off-site storage area.
All researchers interested in reviewing this material must consult Spencer Research Library Public Services staff (785-864-4334 or ksrlref@ku.edu, 9-5 M-F CST) before a planned visit; staff will respond within three days, though materials may not be available in that timeframe. Access to audio visual materials may require digitization first. Be advised that drop-in requests for this material cannot be accommodated.
Conditions Governing Use
Spencer Library staff may determine use restrictions dependent on the physical condition of manuscript materials.
History of the Thomas A. Williams family
In 1877, Thomas A. Williams (died 1905) married Mattie Graves (born 15 September 1861 in Missouri; died July 1943 in Pratt, Kansas). Their first two children, George A. (1880-1962) and Mae (1885-1982), were born in Missouri. In the late 1880s, the Williams moved to Pratt County, Kansas. After moving, they had five more children: Jessie (Williams) Dickerson (1888-1986), Leona "Pen", Juanita "Nip", Allie, and Eva.
George A. Williams married Grace Taylor, with whom he had two sons, Harrison Dean (died 1967) and Thomas, who married a Zephry. Mae married Henry Buckner; Jessie married a Dickerson; and Leona married Clavin Walker, son of George W. and Catherine Walker. Juanita married Chester Elliott.
Harrison Dean Williams married Marcella McCloud (whose mother, Buelah Moore, was sister to Phynola Cook). After Harrison died in 1967, Marcella remarried to Norman Buck. Harrison and Marcella Williams' children included George Harrison (died 2009 in Wichita), Alyce, Eve (who married John Spearman), Harrison Dean (often called by his middle name Dean), and Victor.
Mattie (Graves) Williams' sister, Julia Graves, married Charles Dandridge; the couple had two children, Milburn and Orlando.
Extent
4 Linear Feet (8 boxes + 2 oversize boxes)
Language of Materials
English
Scope and Contents
The original collection of materials located at RH MS 1117 and RH MS-P 1117 includes legal documents, certificates, and photographs from the Graves, Moores, Williams, and Dandridges, including notably photographs of George A. Williams and his siblings. This material also includes Marcella (McCloud) Williams' diaries for 1979-2001. Oversize materials were physically separated at the time of processing and are stored at RH MS Q284 and RH MS-P 1117(f).
The addition to the collection, located at RH MS 1445 and RH MS-P 1445, mostly includes photographs from later generations of the Williams family and reflective diaries Marcella and her husband Norman Buck kept on weekend getaways in the 1980s.
Physical Location
RH MS 1117
Physical Location
RH MS-P 1117
Physical Location
RH MS-P 1117(f)
Physical Location
RH MS Q284
Physical Location
RH MS 1445
Physical Location
RH MS-P 1445
Physical Location
KC AV 45
Physical Location
A/V items at Annex (Contact Spencer Library Public Services)
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Gifts, George H. Williams, 1986, 1989; Alyce Williams, 2006, 2017; Eve Williams Spearman, 2007, 2017; Marcella Williams Buck, 2009, 2017.
Subject
- Buckner, Mae Williams (Person)
- Williams, Thomas A., -1905 (Person)
- Williams, Mattie Graves (Person)
- Williams, George A., approximately 1888- (Person)
- Graves family (Family)
Source
- Buck, Marcella Williams (Donor, Person)
- Williams, Alyce (Donor, Person)
- Spearman, Eve Williams (Donor, Person)
- Title
- Guide to the Thomas A. Williams Family Collection
- Subtitle
- Thomas A. Williams family papers
- Author
- Finding aid prepared by mbw, 2008. Finding aid encoded by mbw, 2008. Finding aid revised by mbw, 2008; skt, 2010; mwh, 2018, 2021.
- Date
- 2008
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- Finding aid written in English.
- Sponsor
- Support for the processing of this Collection was provided by the Dana and Sue Anderson African American Collecting Program Endowment Fund.
- Finding aid permalink
- http://hdl.handle.net/10407/9215017120
- Preferred citation
-
Thomas A. Williams family papers, RH MS 1117, Kenneth Spencer Research Library, University of Kansas
Repository Details
Part of the University of Kansas. Kenneth Spencer Research Library Repository