Ruth Ashby

The collection primarily contains correspondence from members of the Ashby and Kiefer families. The family members worked in middle and low income positions in dry goods retail and farming, and most lived in or around Henderson, Kentucky, and Evansville, Indiana.

The letters from the 19th century are primarily love letters, friendly gossip and news traded among family members. The early 20th century letters focus more on family-oriented information. During World War II, George Albert Ashby and his mother, Florence (Keifer) Ashby, corresponded and sent clothing and food to friends and relations in Germany. Most of the incoming correspondences dating from this period are written in German with an accompanying English translation. Post-World War II papers are few and are primarily made up of miscellaneous family correspondence, solicitation mail, and notes from friends.