O. MARK & GERTRUDE RICHARDS

(PAPERS, 1909-1996, and n.d.)

SCOPE AND CONTENT

The papers of O. Mark and Gertrude Hocking Richards (OMR and GHR) constitute family documents preserved over several generations. Files mainly consist of correspondence, diaries (of Gertrude Richards), genealogical records, newspaper clippings, unpublished family reminiscences and poems, publications, and photographs . A genealogical survey, tracing the family back to 1585, stands out as an accomplishment and illustrates how a family traces its history. The collection provides a generational study of the family as a network. The photographs document college life at the turn of the century.

The collection is comprised of eight series: I. Correspondence; 2. Diaries; 3. Family Recollections (Unpublished); 4. Genealogical Records; 5. Newspaper Clippings; 6. Photographs; 7. Publications; 8. Writings; and 9. Diplomas.

 

SERIES DESCRIPTIONS

Series I. Correspondence, 1910-1920s, 1956-1983 (19 folders)

Consists of ten folders of letters written by Oliver Mark Richards to Gertrude Hocking Richards and vice versa (1910-1925), one folder of wedding announcements for OMR and GHR including a letter from Edward I. Bosworth confirming his willingness to perform the ceremony (1913), five folders of letters from OMR & GHR to their children (1956-1983), nine letters written by Nelson Mark Richards (father of OMR) to OMR/GHR and grandchildren (1920s), four letters from Mrs. Hocking (Mother of GHR) and Ernest Hocking (brother of GHR) to OMR/GHR (1913?), and 2 letters from Jay Nash and Laurie Sharp (friends) to OMR/GHR (1913?). Arranged chronologically within each folder.

Series 2. Diaries, 1948, 1949, 1951 (3 folders)

The diaries written by Gertrude Richards document trips to South America (1948), Europe (1949), and South Africa (1951). Accompanying each diary are letters written by OMR/GHR to family members in the United States.

Series 3. Family Recollections (Unpublished), 1979, 1981, 1986, 1991, 1993, and n.d (1 folder)

The family recollections consist of typed script obituaries of O. Mark (by Rev. Robert Toll, 1991), and Gertrude Richards (by Walter H. Richards, 1993). Typed script reminiscences by members of the Richards families document the lives of Julia Pratt Hocking (GHR's mother), and O.Mark and Gertrude Richards.

Series 4. Genealogical Records, 1996 (1 folder)

The genealogical records contain a complete genealogy of the Oliver Mark Richards and Gertrude Emily Hocking families, tracing lineage back to 1585. The records include a Descendancy Chart, Pedigree Chart, and, The Family Group Record documentation.

Series 5. Newspaper Clippings, 1932, 1949, 1983, 1985-86, 1991 (1 folder)

These newspaper articles report on wedding anniversaries and obituaries of O. Mark and Gertrude Richards, and of the wedding anniversary of O. Mark Richards' parents (50th Anniversary, 1932). One article features a 1949 letter by O. Mark Richards concerning the conditions in post World War II Europe that he witnessed while on vacation there.

Series 6. Photographs, 1909-11, and n.d. (1 folder)

This series consists of a photo album that covers the Oberlin years of O. Mark Richards and Gertrude Hocking (1909-1911). A single color print of the Richards' home in Clearwater, Florida is also included (1957-1981); and photos (scanned from originals) of O. Mark and Gertrude Hocking Richards, n.d., and their wedding, 1913 [1999/076].

Series 7. Publications, 1988, 1993, and n.d. (1 folder)

Contains the memoirs of Oliver Mark Richards (1988) and Gertrude Emily Hocking Richards (1993), and a history of St. Austell Parish Church in England (n.d.).

Series 8. Writings, 1983 (1 folder)

Original handwritten Christmas poems (with typescript copies) written by Gertrude Richards in December 1983 as gifts to her family.

Series 9. Diplomas, 1910 (Oversize)

Includes Oliver Mark Richard's diploma from Oberlin College in 1910 and Gertrude Emily Hocking's diploma from the Oberlin Kindergarten Training School in 1910.

 

PROVENANCE

The papers of O. Mark and Gertrude Richards were transferred to the Oberlin College Archives through deed of gift from Leslie H. Fishel in 1996 (accession 1996/087), and Walter H. Richards in 1998 (accession 1998/125).

RELATED MATERIALS

Additional materials include the Papers of William Ernest Hocking (GHR's brother), at the Houghton Library, Harvard University.

 

 

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Last updated: 19 July 1999