finlayjohnmrs Preliminary Inventory of the Ruth Finlay Papers, 1960-2011 (bulk 1969-2011) Processed by: Ruth E. Bryan; machine-readable finding aid created by: Ruth E. Bryan

Aleph Number: 003205759

Machine-readable finding aid derived from automated markup system. Date of source: May 14, 2003 Processed by Ruth E. Bryan May 14, 2003; Finding Aid encoded by Ruth E. Bryan, David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library, Duke University, June 6, 2003 Description is in English. 09-07-2005 PUBLIC "-//David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library//TEXT (US::NDD::::Ruth Finlay Papers)//EN" "finlayjohnmrs.xml" converted from EAD 1.0 to 2002 by v1to02.xsl (sy2003-10-15). Also, the top level of the finding aid (above the dsc) changed to conform to current Rubenstein Library and NC EAD standards as laid out in the Inventory Style Guide and in the NCEAD Best Practice Guidelines. Within the dsc, dates for series were normalized. These changes were made by Michelle Belden. Also, container TYPE and LABEL attribute values were standardized according to the Rubenstein Library EAD 2002 manual and the NCEAD eadlocal.ent by Ruth E. Bryan.The tag list inside index was changed to indexentry by Ruth E. Bryan. Preliminary Inventory of the Ruth Finlay Papers, 1960-2011 (bulk 1969-2011) David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library Duke University Durham, North Carolina 27708-0185 USA

Descriptive Summary Ruth Finlay Papers, 1960-2011 (bulk 1969-2011) Finlay, Ruth. 6.8 Linear Feet 300 Items David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library, Duke University For current information on the location of these materials, please consult the Library's online catalog. English. 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 David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library to use this collection.

Use Restrictions

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 David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library.

Preferred Citation

[Identification of item], Ruth Finlay Papers, David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library, Duke University.

Provenance

The Ruth Finlay Papers were received by the David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library as gifts in 2003, 2006, and 2011.

Processing Information

Processed by Ruth E. Bryan, May 2003, and Jane Metters, December 2011

Encoded by Ruth E. Bryan and Jane Metters

This finding aid is NCEAD compliant.

Materials may not have been ordered and described beyond their original condition.

Biographical Note

Born Ruth Ann Spencer on May 21, 1926 in Burlington, Colorado. The family lost their land in the dust bowl and relocated to Lewiston, Idaho in 1939. She married her high school sweetheart, John A. Finlay, in 1943. They later moved to South Carolina, where they spent the rest of their lives. Ruth had six sons. In 1985, she lost her larynx to cancer. She died on December 26, 2010.

Collection Overview

The first accession of the collection comprises diaries (39 volumes) written by Ruth Finlay documenting the details of and her emotional reactions to her daily life, activities, behavior, social life, and family life between 1960 and 1994. Topics include her hospitalization, ongoing treatment for, and life following cancer (1985 and onward); her relationships with her husband, children, and grandchildren; and the death of an adult son (December 1988).

The second accession (2006-0030) comprises diaries written by Finlay between January 1995 and August 2004.

The third accession (2011-0191) comprises 12 diaries written by Finlay between September 2004 and July 2010, a wedding log book, two day minders, correspondence, and family photographs.

All accessions acquired as part of the Sallie Bingham Center for Women's History and Culture.

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.

Finlay, Ruth. Finlay, John A., Mrs. Finlay, John A. Finlay family. Bereavement--United States. Cancer--Patients--United States--Diaries. Women--South Carolina--Diaries. Women--South Carolina--Social life and customs. Family--United States--History--20th century. Family--South Carolina--History--20th century. Domestic relations--Southern States--History. Domestic relations--United States--History--20th century. Motherhood--Southern States--History--20th century. South Carolina--History. South Carolina--Social life and customs. Diaries. Sallie Bingham Center for Women's History and Culture. Contents of Collection Accession 2003-0070, 1960-1994 (3 boxes) 1 Diaries, 1960, 1969-1971, 1973-1974 (1975 laid in with 1973-1974), 1977-1982 2 Diaries, 1983-1989 July 3 Diaries, 1989 Aug.-1994 Accession 2006-0030, 1995-2004 (5 boxes) 1-5Diaries, 1995 January-2004 August Accessions 2011-0191 and 2011-1029, 1993-2011 (5 boxes) 9Diaries, 2004 September-2006 March(3 volumes) Wedding Log Book, 1993 10Diaries, 2006 March-2007 August(3 volumes) 11Diaries, 2007 August-2009 July(4 volumes) 12Diaries, 2009 August-2010 July(2 volumes) Day minders, 2009 May-2009 November(2 volumes) 13Emails and correspondence with Duke University regarding the Ruth Finlay Diaries, 2002-2011 Correspondence and photographs, 1984-1985 Correspondence and photographs, 1990-2009(6 folders)