William R. Smith World War I Letter
Scope and Contents
William R. Smith was born in 1892 making him 22 when he wrote this letter. It primarily talks about how he spent Christmas stationed in Germany. He mentions he will be sending his roster and menu from the day which he says, “I don’t think we could of gotten a better souvenir than this so please keep it.” It appears he was located in Ringsdorg, Germany. He sends his love but does not mention how much longer he would be in Germany. William Smith comes back to Grand Rapids. In the 1930 census he is married with two young boys and working in an auto body shop.
Dates
- Creation: 1918-12-26
Creator
- Smith, William R. (Donor, Person)
Extent
.05 Cubic Feet
Language of Materials
English
Physical Description
The collection amounts to .05 cubic feet and is composed of one letter, dated December 26, 1918 written by William R. Smith. The letter measures 6 ½” x 10”, written on both sides. In addition there is a single page 6 ½”x5” which is the last page of the letter. There also is an envelope 3 ½” x 5 ½” addressed to Mrs. William R. Smith, 112 Antione St., Grand Rapids, Michigan with a January 2, 1919 postmark. The letter is in good condition although there is some wear along the creases. The writing is legible. The envelope shows some dirt and some wear along the right side which was torn when the letter was removed.
General
According to a note in the donor file, it was given to the Archives and Regional History Collections by Pamela Butchbaker who had received it from one of her 8th grade students.
- Title
- William R. Smith World War I Letter Finding Aid
- Author
- Lynn Houghton
- Date
- 2010-12-02
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- Undetermined
- Script of description
- Code for undetermined script
Repository Details
Part of the Western Michigan University Archives & Regional History Collections Repository
Charles C. and Lynn L. Zhang Legacy Collections Center
1650 Oakland Drive
Kalamazoo MI 49008-5307 US
(269) 387-8490
arch-collect@wmich.edu