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Frobenius Family Letters

 Collection
Identifier: RH-A-3493

Scope and Contents

This collection is composed of family letters written to Mary Kammerer Frobenius, Frank Frobenius and his daughter, Ruth Frobenius Hamill from the years 1882 to 1948. This collection was originally part of A-55, Kalamazoo Valley Museum.

Dates

  • Creation: Majority of material found within 1882-1948

Creator

Language of Materials

Some of the letters are written in German along with some German newspaper clippings, and one warranty deed.

Biographical / Historical

Frank F. and Mary N. Kammerer Frobenius were both born in Michigan to German parents. Both Frank and Mary were born in about 1861. Frank died on June 15th, 1928, which may explain why letters from the Griebel Family were addressed to her beginning in 1927, as opposed to Frank. Mary died on March 27, 1943. Ruth Marie Frobenius Hamill was born in about 1901 and died on September 17th, 1996.

The 1915 Kalamazoo City Directory lists Frank and Mary, with their daughter Ruth who was a student, living at 922 Washington Ave. As of the 1925 directory, the family was living at 904 Washington Ave, and Ruth was listed as a teacher. The 1915 directory lists Blanche as a boarder, she was a milliner. The 1920 US Census also lists a second daughter, Blanche, who was 26 at the time. No letters are addressed to Blanche.

Extent

1 boxes

Physical Description

The collection amounts to .25 cubic feet and is contained in one half-size box. The collection is mainly composed of letters (most of which are written in German), with some German newspaper clippings, one warranty deed, and two crochet doilies.

Items are in fair condition, with some discoloring due to age. Some of the more delicate pages are more worn with a few tears. The doilies are in good condition.

Title
Frobenius Family Letters Finding Aid
Status
Completed
Author
Devin Erlandson
Date
1882-1948
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
Undetermined
Script of description
Code for undetermined script
Language of description note
English

Repository Details

Part of the Western Michigan University Archives & Regional History Collections Repository

Contact:
Charles C. and Lynn L. Zhang Legacy Collections Center
1650 Oakland Drive
Kalamazoo MI 49008-5307 US
(269) 387-8490