Kelly family memorabilia and genealogical records

Collection

Identifier: Coll 900

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

The collection consists of memorabilia, photographs, and genealogical information of the Kelly family, who were early emigrants to Oregon, as well as families related to the Kellys. Materials relate to brothers Clinton Kelly, Thomas Kelly, Albert Kelly, and Gilmer Kelly, and to the the Bishop, Donahue, and New families. A substantial portion of this collection is record books for Kelly family reunions. These books contain clippings, family history, minutes, and names and addresses of attendees. The collection also contains genealogical records for the Kelly family and related correspondence, reminiscences of members of the extended Kelly family, a family photograph album, and photographs and memorabilia of the Donahue and New families. Other materials in the collection consist of land records relating to the Kelly family; records relating to the Oregon History Caravan; and an album of photographs taken in Astoria, Oregon, by Lauren Mildred ("Millie") Kern Hawes.

Dates

Creation: 1874-1991

Creator

Kelly family (Family)

Conditions Governing Access

Collection is open for research.

Conditions Governing Use

The Oregon Historical Society owns the materials in the Research Library and makes available reproductions for research, publication, and other uses. The Society does not necessarily hold copyright to all materials in the collections. In some cases, permission for use may require seeking additional authorization from copyright owners.

Historical Note

Clinton Kelly (1808-1875) and his younger brother, Thomas A. Kelly (1829-1903) emigrated to Oregon from Kentucky starting in 1847, arriving in Oregon City in 1848. Both brothers subsequently took donation land claims on land that would become part of the city of Portland, Oregon. Their brother Albert Kelly (1814-1873) arrived in Oregon in 1849; although he also initially chose a site in what would become Portland to live, he soon relocated to southwest of Portland. A fourth brother, Gilmer Kelly (1820-1890) arrived in Oregon in 1853, and took a donation land claim in Powell's Valley, east of Portland.

Source: Kelly, Laura and Watson, Esther Kelly, compilers, The Kelly Family, vol. 1, 1972.

Extent

1.65 Cubic Feet (2 legal document cases; 1 slim legal document case; 1 flat box (13x16); 1 oversize folder (20x30))

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Abstract

Memorabilia, genealogical materials, and photographs of the Kelly family and related families. The brothers Clinton Kelly (1808-1875), Thomas Kelly (1829-1903), Albert Kelly (1814-1873), and Gilmer Kelly (1820-1890) were early emigrants to Oregon, and all took land donation claims on or near land that would become part of Portland, Oregon.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Gift of Gerald F. Abrams and Jory Miller Abrams, July 2022 (RL2022-122).

Related Materials

Other collections at the Oregon Historical Society Research Library of or relating to the Kelly family include: Kelly family papers, Mss 871; Clinton Kelly ledgers, Coll 38; vertical files, Genealogy - Kelly, Thomas family, Genealogy Kelly, Clinton family, and Biography - Kelly, Samuel Gilby; and genealogy books, The Kelly Family, compiled by Laura Kelly and Esther Kelly Watson, call number 929.2 Ke299k.