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Anacostia Community Museum Archives
Griffith family Papers, 1907-1950, bulk 1913-1945
Summary
- Collection ID:
- ACMA.06-004
- Creators:
-
Griffith, DelaphineGriffith, JacquelineThomas, Sarah
- Dates:
-
1907-1950bulk 1913-1945
- Languages:
-
English.
- Physical Description:
-
4.21 Linear feet7 boxes
- Repository:
The Griffith Family papers, which dates from 1907 to 1950 and measures 4.21 linear feet, documents the personal lives of three generations in the Griffith family: Sarah Thomas, Delaphine and Jacqueline Griffith. The papers are comprised of personal and professional correspondence, receipts, bills, newspaper clippings, photographs, record albums, and legal documents.
Scope and Contents note
Scope and Contents note
The collection which dates from 1907 to 1950, bulk dates 1913-1945, documents the lives of three generations of the Griffith family: Sarah Thomas, Delaphine Griffith, and Jacqueline Griffith, while primarily focused on Delaphine (Della) Griffith. The papers document Mrs. Griffith's relationships with friends and family through extensive correspondence, as well as, her experiences as a domestic servant and federal employee. It also documents daily life in Washington D.C. through receipts and bills of sales. Mrs. Griffith and Ms. Griffith also retained a large phonograph record collection comprised of jazz, swing band, and rhythm and blues music.
Arrangement note
Arrangement note
The papers are arranged into three series one of which contains four subseries. Folders are arranged alphabetically within series, while documents are organized chronologically. Undated material appears in the front of folders. Oversized material appears in the series: Music Collection and Photographs. In box 7 of Oversized the folder entitled "Allen Griffith, 1915" appears before the phonograph record booklet covers because of the fragile nature of the portrait's frame.
- Series 1: Biographical
- Subseries 1.1: Correspondence
- Subseries 1.2: Financial Records
- Subseries 1.3: General
- Subseries 1.4: Miscellaneous
- Series 2: Music Collection
- Series 3: Photographs
Biographical/Historical note
Biographical/Historical note
Delaphine (Della) Griffith was born in Washington, D.C. on December 13, 1896 to Sarah Thomas. She lived in D.C. with her mother until 1916 when she moved to Atlantic City, New Jersey for work. Later that year she moved on to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Mrs. Griffith moved back to Washington, D.C. and met and married Alan Griffith in 1919. Together they had a daughter whom they named Jacqueline.
Throughout her adult life, Mrs. Griffith lived with her mother and family on the northwest side of Washington, D.C. She worked for the federal government during two different periods: the early 1930s and during World War II. On November 19, 1950, Mrs. Delaphine Griffith died at the age of 54. Jacqueline Griffith continued to live in the family home until her death in the early 1990s.
Administration
Author
Kim L. Dixon
Immediate Source of Acquistions note
The Griffith Family papers were donated to the Anacostia Community Museum in May 1995 by June Brown.
Processing Information note
The records were processed in January 2010 by Kim L. Dixon.
Using the Collection
Conditions Governing Use note
The Griffith Family papers are the physical property of the Anacostia Community Museum. Literary and copyright belong to the author/creator or their legal heirs and assigns. Rights to work produced during the normal course of Museum business resides with the Anacostia Community Museum. For further information, and to obtain permission to publish or reproduce, contact the Museum Archives.
Conditions Governing Access note
The collection is open for unrestricted research. Use requires an appointment.
Preferred Citation note
The Griffith Family papers, Anacostia Community Museum Archives, Smithsonian Institution, gift of June Brown.
Keywords
Anacostia Community Museum Archives
1901 Fort Place, SE
Washington, D.C. 20020
ACMArchives@si.edu
