Burns family papers, 1873-1966, 1985
Scope and Contents
The papers include correspondence, photographs, wedding announcements, bills of sale, family memorabilia and ephemera relating to numerous Portland families related by ties of descendancy and marriage. A majority of the materials were created and used by the Robertson family, including numerous photographic albums, personal correspondence, and diaries. Two Robertson family world trips, from circa 1907 and 1910-1912, are documented with photographs, postcards, and correspondence with family in Portland. A small amount of materials relate to the business dealings of specific individuals, including Walter John Burns and members of the Robertson family. Also included are tickets and ephemera for the 1905 Lewis and Clark Exposition in Portland.
Other families represented include: Adams, Burns, Corbett, Couch, Failing, Lewis, Reed, Warren, Wilson, and Wood. Often, the inclusion of these materials is related to Robertson connections, in the form of marriage or other family relationships.
Dates
- 1873-1966, 1985
Conditions Governing Access
Collection is open for research.
Biographical / Historical
Water John Burns was originally from Brechin, Scotland. He arrived in Portland in 1877 as the local agent for Balfour Guthrie & Company, a british grain dealer. In 1879 Burns married Mary Caroline Wilson, the granddaughter of Captain John Heard Couch and his wife Caroline Flanders Couch. They had eight children, including a daughter, Kathleen Burns, who married Thomas Robertson (1881-1924) in 1910. Through this marriage, the Burns family further joined ties with several other prominent Portland families of the 19th and 20th centuries, including the Corbett and Failing families.
Extent
From the Collection: 9.46 Cubic Feet (13 legal size document cases, 5 oversize boxes)
Language of Materials
English
Creator
- From the Collection: Robertson family (Family)
- From the Collection: Robertson, William Edie, 1854-1939 (Person)
- From the Collection: Butler, Mary Couch, 1915-2008 (Person)
- From the Collection: Burns, Mary Caroline, 1857-1950 (Person)
- From the Collection: Hull, Ma'Carry Webster, 1917-2003 (Person)
- From the Collection: Robertson, Thomas, 1817-1900 (Person)
- From the Collection: Robertson, Kathleen, 1881-1970 (Person)
- From the Collection: Failing, Emily Phelps, 1836-1870 (Person)
- From the Collection: Robertson, Thomas, 1881-1924 (Person)
- From the Collection: Robertson, Jack Wood, 1894-1956 (Person)
- From the Collection: Robertson, Mary Corbett, 1891-1986 (Person)
- From the Collection: Corbett, Henry W. (Henry Winslow), 1827-1903 (Person)
- From the Collection: Warren, Nan Wood, 1885-1928 (Person)
Repository Details
Part of the Oregon Historical Society Research Library Repository
1200 SW Park Ave.
Portland OR 97205 United States
5033065204
5033065240
libreference@ohs.org