Search

This collection is composed of personal papers, genealogy material and family photographs, gathered by Theodor R. and Helen V. Swem. Included are original documents, notes on the Swem, Gregg and Wright families, correspondence among family members regarding genealogy, articles, books, publications and diaries by or about the families, photographs of family members, including one of Dr. Earl Gregg Swem, Sr., Earl Gregg Swem, Jr., and Earl Gregg Swem, III, and material on Earl Gregg Swem's connection to the College of William and Mary. The collection also contains photographs, circa 1870s-1988, taken of and by members of the Swem family. Some of the 19th century photographs were taken by E.L. (Edward Lawrence) Swem, the father of Earl Gregg Swem, who was the owner of Swem & Newton Gallery in Belle Plaine, Iowa and later of Swem Cottage Gallery (or also Swems Studio) in Cedar Rapids Iowa. Most photographs are described and often dated on the reverse side.

Four notebooks of Col. John Evans family history prepared by Thomas Ray Dille; (maps of voting districts in Monongalia County) papers of the Monongalia County Historical Society; and copies of the constitution and charter of the York County (Pa.) Historical Society

Gift of the brothers and sisters of Thomas Ray Dille, lawyer, historian, and genealogist of Morgantown W.Va. This collection contains the family histories of the Dille, David Evans, and John Evans families, as well as the Ray, Stewart, McFarland, and Tennant families.

Papers of a Morgantown attorney, genealogist, and antiquarian. There are several series of office files relating to Dille's law practice, and extensive correspondence regarding his historical and genealogical studies. Families for which there are genealogical compilations include Dille, Ray, Stewart, McFarland, Tennant, David Evans, and John Evans. Monongalia County birth and death records; cemetery readings; copies of wills and indexes of will books; names in real estate and appraisement books; Monongalia Academy and Woodburn Female Seminary ledgers, 1858; correspondence; legal papers; newspaper clippings; family papers; and an account book of J.R. Moore, 1837. Collection also contains papers on the West Virginia Historical Society, Morgantown and Wheeling Railroad, Sons of the Revolution and the Evansdale Corporation. Also includes some personal correspondence received by Dille, like mailed promotional/advertising booklets and copies of "The Mohawk Magazine."

Papers, 1622-1936, of the Upshur family of the Eastern Shore of Virginia. Chiefly the genealogical correspondence and notes of Thomas Teackle Upshur (d. 1910) who was interested in the local history of Northampton and Accomack counties, Va. and in the genealogies of Eastern Shore families. Includes three manuscript volumes (indexed) called "Genealogies of the Kingdom of Accomack." The family papers of the Upshur family includes correspondence, 1786-1910, unpublished writings, accounts, and legal documents. The genealogical notes are arranged by family. The correspondence is arranged chronologically and the surnames of correspondents are given.

Transcriptions of six Revolutionary War pension applications from the Mason County Order Book 1828-1833. Also contains genealogies from Mason County families, including the Somerville, Edwards, Lemaster, Lewis, Long, etc. Contains numerous obituaries from Mason County. Several articles and newspaper clippings written about Mason County topics including the Battle of Point Pleasant, Presbyterian Church (Point Pleasant), the Silver Bridge Disaster, etc.

Microfilm include State Land Office Records; S. Bassett French, Biographical Sketches; Mott-Alston Collection of Colonial Families; Confederate Service Records of Virginia Soldiers; Revolutionary War, Public Service Claims; Revolutionary War, Public Service Claims; Revolutionary War, Bounty Warrants; Revolutionary Pensions; Revolutionary War, Rejected Claims; Family Genealogical Notes; and List of Baptist records at the University of Richmond.

Deeds, wills, court orders, marriage and other records for Accomack County; Alexandria City; and parish registers, vestry books, marriage bonds, etc. for Albemarle County, Alexandria City, Abingdon, Atrim and Augusta parishes.

Personal papers of the Watson family in Marion County, including a genealogy of the Watson and Haymond families, newspaper clippings of weddings, obituaries, social and business activities, and European travel. Mention is made of coal mining development in Marion County, strikes, labor meetings, conservation, and improvement of farming practices. There is material on politics, industrial development, early iron mining, Marion county history, the Barrickville covered bridge, Beverly-Fairmont Turnpike, and the Presbyterian Church in Fairmont.