The Francis F. and Emma B. Tucker Papers document the Tucker Family’s involvement in missionary work and in medicine. The papers consist of correspondence, biographical material, photographs, a scrapbook, and Chinese picture postcards.

The collection is arranged in four series: I. Biographical Files, II. Correspondence Files, III. Photographic Files, and IV. Miscellaneous.

The biographical material includes typescript copies of speeches given in honor of Frances Fisher Tucker (1870-1957) and Emma Boose Tucker (1870-1971) by Reverend Samuel Ross Swift at Olds Hall, Daytona Beach, Florida, in 1958. These tributes describe the Tuckers’ careers, their work in China, and the religious interests that led them to become medical missionaries. The biographical files also include Margaret Tucker’s (1907-75) diploma awarding her the A.B. degree from Oberlin College in 1929. These papers do not include any biographical material on the Tuckers’ other children, William (1905-79), Arthur (1913-89), and Francis (1915-96).

Correspondence is arranged in two series. The first is family correspondence, 1933-64, consisting primarily of letters between the Tuckers. These letters discuss Francis and Emma Tucker’s life in China including both social activities and their work as medical missionaries. Additional topics include the children’s experiences at Oberlin College, their work in medical school and early medical careers, trips taken by various family members, and general family news. These files also include correspondence from other relatives and from family friends and missionary acquaintances.

The second correspondence series consists of Francis Carlile Tucker’s correspondence from his student days at Oberlin College, 1933-37. These files contain primarily incoming letters from friends and relatives, as well as a small number of typescript copies of outgoing letters to friends and Oberlin College officials, including E.I. Bosworth. These letters discuss Francis C. Tucker’s experiences at Oberlin, and particularly the lack of religious sentiment that he perceived in his fellow students. Other subjects include Tucker’s summer employment at George Williams College’s summer camp in Wisconsin, his visits to friends and relatives’ homes during vacations, and his plans for medical school. Many of the friends with whom Francis C. Tucker corresponded were his former schoolmates from the North China American School in Tunghsien, near Peiping, China. Their letters discuss school news as well as their activities after leaving the school.

The photographic files include black and white and color snapshots, tintypes, color slides, and black and white negatives. Subjects include family members, Christian Medical College (CMC) in Punjab, India, and sites where the Tuckers visited or worked in China and India. Most of the snapshots and slides belonged to Margaret Tucker, and they document her work as a medical missionary and professor in China and India in the 1940s and 1950s. An album compiled by Francis F. and Emma B. Tucker contains photographs of China including hospitals, medical students, and sites visited. A second photograph album contains black and white photographs and tintypes of the Boose family from the late nineteenth century.

The Tucker papers also include some miscellaneous materials, consisting of Chinese postcards and a scrapbook. The scrapbook contains a guest list from a reception for Francis F. and Emma B. Tucker’s sixtieth wedding anniversary in 1957, as well as a list of letters received congratulating the Tuckers on that event.

Series I. Biographical Files, 1929, 1958

This series contains speeches in honor of Frances Fisher Tucker (1870-1957) and Emma Boose Tucker (1870-1971) given by Reverend Samuel Ross Swift at Olds Hall, Daytona Beach, Florida, in 1958. Also included is Margaret Tucker’s Oberlin College Diploma (1929)

Series II. Correspondence Files, 1933-64

These files consist of Tucker Family correspondence (1933-64) and correspondence files of Francis Carlile Tucker (1933-37). The family correspondence contains letters between the Tuckers, as well as a modest amount of correspondence from other relatives and from the senior Tuckers’ missionary contacts. The family correspondence is arranged chronologically.

The correspondence of Francis C. Tucker spans his student days at Oberlin, 1933-37, and consists of primarily incoming correspondence from friends and relatives; in addition, there is a small amount of typescript copies of outgoing correspondence to friends and to Oberlin College officials. Francis C. Tucker’s correspondence is arranged alphabetically by correspondent.

Series III. Photographic Files, c.19th cent., 1920s-64

The photograph files contain black and white and color snapshots, color slides, black and white negatives, and tintypes. Subjects include family members, Francis and Emma Tucker’s work and travels in China (c. 1920s-30s), and Margaret Tucker’s work and travels in China and India (1940s-50s).

Series IV. Miscellaneous, 1957

The miscellaneous items consist of Chinese picture postcards (c. 1957) and a scrapbook listing congratulatory letters and guests at a reception held in honor of Francis F. and Emma Boose Tucker’s sixtieth wedding anniversary in 1957.

See RG 28, Alumni Records for alumni files on Arthur Smith Tucker (A.B. 35), Francis Carlile Tucker (A.B. 1937), Margaret Emmeline Tucker (A.B. 1929), and William Boose Tucker (A.B. 1929).

Researchers interested in missionary work in China are advised to consult the records of the Oberlin Shansi Memorial Association (RG 15) and Miscellaneous Missionary Records (RG 38), as well as the Archives’ Guide to Missionary Records.