Various Senders

Series

Scope and Contents

From the Collection: This collection contains personal correspondence to Clarence and Wilhelmina (Minnie) McDermaid, mostly letters from Clarence's aunt Emma O. Lundberg, a child welfare leader in Wisconsin and Washington D.C. Correspondence from Emma Lundberg mentions the 1933 World's Fair in Chicago and her employment by the New Deal Temporary Emergency Relief Administration and other national organizations concerning child welfare. She also discusses American activity in World War II and the writing process of her book, Our Concern - Every Child. Emma provides Clarence with opinions and advice on his academic career, including undergraduate schools, a graduate schooling in music, or an enlistment in the military as well as frequent comments on his hobby of gardening. Katharine Lenroot, originally employed as Emma's assistant at the Wisconsin Industrial Commission, corresponds with Clarence and Minnie, including details of the weather and "Indian summers," general daily activites, discussion of various family and friends, and details of Emma's deteriorating medical condition. She is in poor health, undergoes various tooth surgeries and is diagnosed with arteriosclerosis and a case of pneumonia during the correspondence. Emma also documents her health, family holidays, parties she attends or hosts, and trips to Superior, Wisconsin. She tells Clarence about her move from New York City to Washington D.C. in 1935. Katharine keeps in contact with the family after Emma's death in 1954.

Dates

1919 - 1975

Conditions Governing Access

Collection is open for research. Researchers must register and agree to copyright and privacy laws before using this collection. 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. Due to the nature of certain archival formats, including digital and audio-visual materials, access to certain materials may require additional advance notice.