Thompson and Teal family papers
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
- Creation: circa 1808-1993
- Creation: Majority of material found within circa 1850-1976
Creator
- Thompson family (Family)
- Teal 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.
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).
Separated Materials
Artifacts were separated to the Oregon Historical Society Museum collections.
Subject
- Meldrum family (Family)
- Smith, Genevieve Thompson, 1883-1974 (Person)
- Thompson family (Family)
- Teal family (Family)
Genre / Form
Topical
- 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
1200 SW Park Ave.
Portland OR 97205 United States
5033065204
5033065240
libreference@ohs.org