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Guide to the Annie Lois Newkirk Blakely Papers, 1870-1988

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Descriptive Summary

Title
Annie Lois Newkirk Blakely Papers, 1870-1988
Creator
Blakely, Annie Lois Newkirk, 1891-1984
Extent
7.2 Linear Feet
4,700 Items
Repository
Duke University Rare Book, Manuscript, and Special Collections Library
Language
English.
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Administrative Information

Access Restrictions
Collection is open for research.
However, patrons must sign the Acknowledgment of Legal Responsibility and Privacy Rights form before using this collection.
Also, all or portions of this collection may be housed off-site in Duke University's Library Service Center. Consequently, there may be a 24-hour delay in obtaining these materials.
Please contact Research Services staff before visiting the Rare Book, Manuscript, and Special Collections Library to use this collection.
Use Restrictions
The copyright interests in the Annie Lois Newkirk Blakely Papers have not been transferred to Duke University. For further information, see the section on copyright in the Regulations and Procedures of the Rare Book, Manuscript, and Special Collections Library or consult a reference archivist.
Preferred Citation
[Identification of item], Annie Lois Newkirk Blakely Papers, Rare Book, Manuscript, and Special Collections Library, Duke University.
Provenance
The Annie Lois Newkirk Blakely Papers (1870-1988) were donated to the Rare Book, Manuscript, and Special Collections Library in 1991.
Processing Information
Processed by: John Gribble; Assisted by: Brent Johanson, Rachel Pottinger, Rachel Sullivan
Completed February 15, 1994
Encoded by Stephen D. Miller
This finding aid is NCEAD compliant.
            

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Biographical Note

1891, Nov. 11Born in Wilmington, N.C.
ca. 1910Attended Women's College, University of North Carolina (Greensboro, N.C.)
1918-1922Served as Nurse, U.S. Army Nurse Corps, Greenville S.C.
1922, Aug. 24Married Ralph Royd Blakely in Clinton, S.C.
1923, Sept. 3Daughter, Florence Ella Blakely, born
1926, May 18Daughter, Ann Newkirk Blakely, born
1984, Oct. 16 Died in Durham, N.C.

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Collection Overview

The Annie Lois Newkirk Blakely Papers, 1870-1988, contain chiefly correspondence and diaries but also include legal papers, pictures, and clippings. The collection primarily documents the life of Blakely as a Clinton, S.C. housewife and mother, and of her children, Florence Ella Blakely and Ann Newkirk Blakely McLeod. Much of the Correspondence Series consists of personal letters by family members and friends written to Annie Lois Newkirk Blakely, her husband Ralph Royd Blakely, daughters Florence Ella Blakely (a Duke University librarian), and Ann Newkirk Blakely McLeod. A large portion of this series contain correspondence (1921-1978) between Annie and Ralph Blakely before they were married. Although the Diaries Series (1927-1978) contains primarily the journals of Annie Lois Newkirk Blakely, other family members Florence Ella Blakely and Inez Robertson Blakely, are also included. The Pictures Series contains family photographs of vacations, holidays, and weddings. The Legal Papers Series primarily contains banking and investment correspondence, as well as personal legal Items, such as Annie Blakely's discharge papers from the U.S. Army and Ralph Blakely's discharge papers from the U.S. Navy after World War I. The Miscellaneous Series includes War Ration Books from the 1940s and photocopied newspaper clippings that pertain to the Blakely and Newkirk families.
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Subject Headings

These are searchable subject entries for this collection. Performing a search on these subjects in the Duke University Libraries online catalog will bring up other related research materials.
  • Newkirk family.
  • Blakely family.
  • Housewives--South Carolina.
  • Mothers and daughters--South Carolina.
  • Women--South Carolina--Correspondence.
  • Diaries--Women
List of Series in Collection
Correspondence, 1921-1988, undated
Diaries, 1927-1978.
Legal Papers, 1942-1960, undated
Pictures Series,1870's-1984, undated
Clippings, 1935-1904, undated
Miscellaneous, 1919-1984, undated
Oversize Materials
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Detailed Description of Collection

Correspondence, 1921-1988, undated

Includes personal letters of Annie Lois Newkirk Blakely, Florence Ella Blakely, Ralph Blakely, Ann Newkirk and letters addressed to both Mr. and Mrs. Blakely. Correspondence between Annie Lois and Ralph Blakely while dating during the early 1920s is most prominent. Arranged by recipient in chronological order by day, month and year.
Box 1
Blakely, Annie Lois Newkirk, 1921-1922, Aug.   (6 folders)
Box 2
Blakely, Annie Lois Newkirk, 1923-1969   (7 folders)
Box 3
Blakely, Annie Lois Newkirk, 1970, undated   (2 folders)
Blakely, Florence Ella, 1934-1972   (7 folders)
Box 4
Blakely, Florence Ella, 1972-1983   (7 folders)
Box 5
Blakely, Florence Ella, 1984, Feb. 1-1988, undated   (7 folders)
Box 6
Blakely, Ralph,. 1918-1922, Apr. 17   (8 folders)
Box 7
Blakely, Ralph, 1922, Apr. 18-1958, undated   (5 folders)
Blakely, Mr. and Mrs., 1942-1954   (2 folders)
Box 8
Blakely, Mr. and Mrs., 1946-1948   (6 folders)
Box 9
Blakely, Mr. and Mrs., 1949-1955   (9 folders)
Box 10
Blakely, Mr. and Mrs., 1956-1959, Aug.   (7 folders)
Box 11
Blakely, Mr. and Mrs., 1959, Sept.-1966, undated   (5 folders)
Blakely, Ann Newkirk, 1940-1969, undated
Other, 1923-1974, undated

Diaries, 1927-1978.

Primarily contains diaries of Annie Lois Blakely and other family members including Florence Ella Blakely and Inez Robertson Blakely. Annie Lois Blakely's diaries disclose information recording her day to day activities. Entries vary from detailed writings to a few short sentences. Arranged in chronological order.
Box 12
Blakely, Annie Lois Newkirk, 1927-1949   (4 folders)
Box 13
Blakely, Annie Lois Newkirk, 1950-1961   (5 folders)
Box 14
Blakely, Annie Lois Newkirk, 1962-1968   (4 folders)
Box 15
Blakely, Annie Lois Newkirk, 1969-1974   (4 folders)
Box 16
Blakely, Annie Lois Newkirk, 1975-1978   (3 folders)
Other, 1933-1943   (2 folders)

Legal Papers, 1942-1960, undated

Contains papers regarding the legal affairs of Annie and Ralph Blakely and their children. Includes papers including bank and investments statements. Also contains War Ration Books from World War II and information regarding Annie's reserve and active service in the U.S. Army Nurse Corps, 1918-1922 . Contains discharge of Yeoman 1st-Class Ralph Blakely, U.S.S. Hartford, U.S. Navy, 1919 .
Box 17
Blakely, Ann Newkirk, 1942-1985, undated   (2 folders)
Blakely, Annie Lois Newkirk, 1918-1985, undated
Blakely, Florence Ella, 1942-1984
Blakely, Ralph, 1911-1958, undated   (2 folders)
Miscellaneous, 1917-1960, undated

Pictures Series,1870's-1984, undated

Includes family, vacation, and wedding photographs. Arranged chronologically.
ca. 1870's-1984   (2 folders)
1968-1984
Box 18
undated
Negatives, undated

Clippings, 1935-1904, undated

Includes acid-free photocopies and originals of newspaper clippings.
1935-1990, undated

Miscellaneous, 1919-1984, undated

Includes miscellaneous items including an address book, calendar, and other items. Arranged in chronological order.
1919-1984, undated   (4 folders)

Oversize Materials

Ovsz. Box 104
Pictures, 1870's-1968