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Preliminary Inventory of the Muriel Henderson Papers, 1900-2009

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Descriptive Summary

Repository
Rare Book, Manuscript, and Special Collections Library, Duke University
Creator
Henderson, Muriel, 1920-2009
Title
Muriel Henderson Papers, 1900-2009
Language of Material
Material in English
Extent
18 Linear Feet

13500 Items
Abstract
Muriel Henderson (1920-2009) and her husband, Lawrence (Larry), were originally from Tacoma, Washington. They served as missionaries to Angola from 1947 to 1969 and eventually retired to Durham in the 1990s.
The bulk of the papers relate Muriel Henderson's personal and family history (for the Woods and Henderson families). She lived with her husband Lawrence (Larry) Henderson in Angola doing missionary work from 1947 to 1969 and the collection includes many materials from this time (including journals and letters). Henderson kept in touch with people from Angola throughout the remainder of her life. The collection also includes many materials documenting her family's life in the early 20th century in the Pacific Northwest (mostly in or around Tacoma, Washington), including photographs, diaries, children's drawings and letters, school report cards, diplomas, letters, recollections (many typed) from family members, and ledgers of household expenses. Acquired as part of the Sallie Bingham Center for Women's History and Culture.
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Administrative Information

Access Restrictions
Collection is open for research.
However, collection may contain materials to which the Acknowledgment of Legal Responsibilities and Privacy Rights form applies. Patrons must sign this 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.
Copyright Notice
The copyright interests in this collection have not been transferred to Duke University. For more information, consult the copyright section of the Regulations and Procedures of the Rare Book, Manuscript, and Special Collections Library.
Preferred Citation
[Identification of item], Muriel Henderson Papers, Rare Book, Manuscript, and Special Collections Library, Duke University.
Provenance
The Muriel Henderson Papers were received by the Rare Book, Manuscript, and Special Collections Library as a gift in 2009.
Processing Information
Accessioned by Angela Diveglia and Meghan Lyon, October 2009
Encoded by Meghan Lyon, October 2009
This collection is minimally processed: materials may not have been ordered and described beyond their original condition.
Descriptive sources and standards used to create this inventory: DACS, EAD, NCEAD guidelines, and local Style Guide.
This finding aid is NCEAD compliant.
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Biographical Note

The following is taken from Muriel's obituary, available here.

Muriel W. Henderson was born on June 20, 1920 in Tacoma, Washington, and died on June 9, 2009 in Chapel Hill, NC. Her family and friends knew her as Ki. She lived a full and active life with a wonderful will to experience as much as possible. She spent 22 years as a missionary in Angola with her husband Larry, leaving there in 1969 when the colonial war for independence made it hard to continue the work. She and Larry moved to New Jersey where he worked for the mission board in New York and she worked in social services. She loved working with African students at the Africa-America Institute. Ki and Larry finished their careers in Florida, first in Leisure City and then at Sun City Center. From 1985 to 1991 they lived in Portugal, where they had first gone in 1947 to learn Portuguese for their work in Angola. Ki helped Larry research in Portuguese archives for his book on the church in Angola. While there, they reconnected with many old friends from Angola. In 1991 they moved to Durham, NC and became active in the life of Pilgrim United Church of Christ. Ki was a life-long letter writer and corresponded with friends and colleagues all over the world.

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Collection Overview

The bulk of the papers relate to Muriel Henderson's personal and family history (for the Woods and Henderson families). She lived with her husband Lawrence (Larry) Henderson in Angola doing missionary work from 1947 to 1969. The collection includes many materials from this time (including journals and letters), and she kept in touch with people from Angola throughout the remainder of her life. The collection also includes many materials documenting her and her family's life in the early 20th century in the Pacific Northwest (mostly in or around Tacoma, Washington), including photographs, diaries, children's drawings and letters, school report cards, diplomas, letters, recollections (many typed) from family members, and ledgers of household expenses.
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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.
List of Series in Collection
Accession (2009-0227)
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Preliminary Description of Collection

Accession (2009-0227)

(12 boxes and 1 oversize folder)
The bulk of the papers relate to her personal and family history (for the Woods and Henderson families). She lived with her husband Lawrence (Larry) Henderson in Angola doing missionary work from 1947 to 1969; the collection includes many materials from this time (including journals and letters), and she kept in touch with people from Angola throughout the remainder of her life. The collection also includes many materials documenting her and her family's life in the early 20th century in the Pacific Northwest (mostly in or around Tacoma, Washington), including photographs, diaries, children's drawings and letters, school report cards, diplomas, letters, recollections (many typed) from family members, and ledgers of household expenses.
Box 1
Personal correspondence
Diaries
Ledger books
Diplomas
Memory box with letters, early 20th-century photograph, statue, and wood/metal harmonica
Court proceedings for a case between her parents and the hospital where their infant son was burned when he rolled into a radiator
Box 2
Personal correspondence
Newspapers
Binders of family items, including letters, announcements, clippings, children's artwork, etc. (4)
Angola mission work
Box 3
Family photographs
Correspondence
Calendars
Personal notes
Family letters box, 1922
Other early letters, 1900s-1920s
Ralph Woods memorial book
Box 4
Yearbook
Miscellaneous correspondence
Family photographs
"Memories" folders
Newspaper clippings
Old passports
Notebooks with personal notes and records of letters sent/received
Correspondence
Newspaper clippings
Family photographs
Box 6
Personal correspondence
Scrapbook
Box 7
Personal correspondence
Address books
Newspaper clippings
Box 8
Personal correspondence
Newsletters
Newspaper clippings
Box 9
Christmas cards
Address book
Photographs, 1940s
Report cards
Personal correspondence
Box 10
Personal correspondence
News clippings
Photographs
Box 11
Autograph books, early 20th century
Address books
Muriel Henderson's baby book
Tintype photograph of male relatives
Box 12
Books and diaries (some books discuss family members; most diaries belong to Muriel)
Oversize Item 1
Scrapbook pages