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Thompson and Teal family papers

 Collection
Identifier: Coll168

Scope and Contents

The collection consists of papers, photographs, and memorabilia of the Thompson and Teal families, as well as related families, such as the Meldrums. A significant portion of the collection specifically concerns Genevieve Thompson Smith. Other individuals represented in the collection are: Audrey Teal Betts; Norman Murray Smith; Bessie Thompson Teal; Joseph N. Teal; Ruth Teal; David P. Thompson.

Dates

  • circa 1808-1993
  • Majority of material found within circa 1850-1976

Creator

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.

Biographical

Genevieve Thompson Smith (1883-1974) and Bessie Thompson Teal (1867-1943) were daughters of Oregon pioneer and politician David P. Thompson (1834-1901) and his wife, Mary Meldrum Thompson (1842-1938). Genevieve Thompson Smith was an attorney, author, and playwright who married naval commander Norman Murray Smith. Bessie Thompson Teal married Portland, Oregon attorney Joseph Nathan Teal (1858-1929), with whom she had a daughter, Ruth (1895-1955). Ruth Teal was married twice – first to Carleton W. Betts, and then to Thomas P. Durell. She had a daughter with Betts, Audrey Teal Betts (1924-1994).

Biographical

Genevieve Thompson Smith was born in Portland, Oregon, on December 2, 1883. She attended Bryn Mawr College in Pennsylvania, and then earned a law degree from the University of Oregon; she was later admitted to practice before the United States Supreme Court. During World War I, she worked in the Russian section of U.S. Army Intelligence, and ran the Oregon chapter of the organization Fatherless Children in France. In 1921, she married naval commander Norman Murray Smith. In addition to her career as an attorney, she was an author and playwright. She also collected books and Native American artifacts, which she donated to the Multnomah County Library and the University of Oregon, respectively. She died in May 1974.

Extent

2.75 Cubic Feet (5 letter-size document cases; 1 flat box (13 x 16); 1 flat box (16 x 20))

Language of Materials

English

Abstract

Papers, photographs, and memorabilia relating to the Thompson and Teal families and related families, a significant portion of which specifically concern Genevieve Thompson Smith.

Arrangement

The collection is arranged in the following series: Series 1. General family papers and memorabilia; Series 2. Individuals.

Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements

Access to cased photographs in Box 5 is restricted for preservation reasons.

Due to fragility, letter in Box 7, Folder 1 may only be accessed under direct staff supervision.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Gifts of Nancy Stryble made in 2008, 2014, and 2018 (Accessions 26529, 28360, 29262).

Related Materials

Additional papers of Genevieve Thompson Smith and David P. Thompson are designated Mss 1537, Oregon Historical Society Research Library.

The bulk of Joseph N. Teal's papers are designated Mss 1381, Oregon Historical Society Research Library.

Additional photograph albums relating to the family of David P. Thompson are designated Album 455 and Album 456, Oregon Historical Society Research Library.

Records of the D. P. Thompson Company, which handled David P. Thompson's estate and properties, are designated Mss 1681, Oregon Historical Society Research Library.

Separated Materials

Artifacts were separated to the Oregon Historical Society Museum collections.

Creator

Title
Guide to the Thompson and Teal family papers
Status
Completed
Author
Jeffrey A. Hayes
Date
2019
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
Undetermined
Script of description
Code for undetermined script
Language of description note
Finding aid is written in English.

Repository Details

Part of the Oregon Historical Society Research Library Repository

Contact:
1200 SW Park Ave.
Portland OR 97205 United States
5033065204
5033065240