Photograph shows a group of nine people surrounding an elderly man, likely A.E. McKenzie, who is wearing a black suit. The group appears to be photographed in residential yard.
Photograph shows a family before a log cabin. A man wearing a long-sleeved shirt, tie, and vest with watch fob stands at the entryway to the home. A woman wearing a white blouse and long skirt sits on a rocking chair on a rough a rough-hewn porch. A boy wearing a pea coat sits on the porch to the right of the man and woman. Lace curtains are hanging in the window.
Notes
Writing beneath the photograph in the album reads: Mr. D.H. Hopkins and family
A number of the letters are samples of "cross writing"
Physical Condition
Some of the letters are fragile, but generally the fonds is in good condition.
Custodial History
Ann Murdoch donated a copy of "My Dear Will" to the McKee Archives in February 2008. The formal donation of the Baker family letters occurred on September 27, 2008 at a reception in the Gathering Space at the John E. Robbins Library.
Scope and Content
Fonds consists of a collection of about 200 letters primarily written by William Baker (although letters written by other family members are also included), who left Liverpool and settled in Oak Lake, to his son William who remained in England. The letters offer insights on a wide range of subjects including the conditions of immigrants and the Riel "situation".
The fonds also contains a supplement to "My Dear Will: Reflections of Prairie Pioneer Life." This latter publication consists of transcribed copies of the letters in the Baker family fonds. The letters were originally transcribed by Ronald James Parsons and his wife Rita Olive Parsons (nee Blake) and published, along with some letters, photographs and other documents for family c. 1997. The booklet was updated in 2007 by Ronald and Rita's daughter, Ann Murdoch. The Supplement was prepared by Ann Murdock and her sister Dawn Powell.
Notes
Description by Christy Henry.
Finding Aid
My Dear Will booklet
Storage Location
2008 accessions. Booklets and family tree stored in Rare Books: RC 3399.B73Z495 2007 v.1 and v.2.
"Published under the auspices of the Agricultural Committee of the Greater Des Moines Chamber of Commerce with the cooperation of the Iowa State University Center for Agriculture and Economic Development."
See collection level description for the James Douglas Wall collection.
Scope and Content
Group portrait of what may be a family reunion or wedding anniversary celebration. There are some potted plants and a coupld of photographs placed in front of the group. The woman seated in the wooden chair towards the centre of the image is wearing a corsage.
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