Burwell, Loretta Oral History

Scope and content:

Loretta Burwell is a descendant community member and a possible direct descendant of a Bray Student. Loretta is an educator, having taught at several schools and colleges. She taught English literature but focused on black literature and poets. Loretta discusses her joy, pain, and hope on her journey to find her ancestors and her engagement with the William & Mary Bray School Lab. Loretta has done extensive research on her family history and lineage and discusses her journey to the Williamsburg Bray School, and the moment she was contacted by the Bray School Lab 30 years after leaving a card at a library seeking information on her ancestors. Loretta explains her visit to the Williamsburg Bray School and her journey from Atlanta George for Descendants Week, and her visit to Bruton Parish Church to see where her ancestors where baptized in the eighteenth century.

Access and use

Location of collection:
College of William and Mary
Special Collections Research Center
Earl Gregg Swem Library
College of William and Mary
400 Landrum Drive
PO 8795
Williamsburg, VA 23187-8795
Contact for questions and access:
Phone: (757) 221-3090
Fax: (757) 221-5440
Parent restrictions:
Collection is open to all researchers. Manuscript collections and archival records may contain materials with sensitive or confidential information that is protected under federal or state right to privacy laws and regulations, such as the Virginia Public Records Act (Code of Virginia. § 42.1-76-91); and the Virginia Freedom of Information Act (Code of Virginia § 2.2-3705.5). Confidential material may include, but is not limited to, educational, medical, and personnel records. If sensitive material is found in this collection, please contact a staff member immediately. The disclosure of personally identifiable information pertaining to a living individual may have legal consequences for which the College of William and Mary assumes no responsibility.
Parent terms of access:
Before reproducing or quoting from any materials, in whole or in part, permission must be obtained from the Special Collections Research Center, and the holder of the copyright, if not Swem Library.

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