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Catalog Data

Creator:
Griffith, Delaphine  Search this
Griffith, Jacqueline  Search this
Thomas, Sarah  Search this
Names:
Griffith family  Search this
Cole, Nat King, 1917-1965  Search this
Grantz, Norman, 1918-2001  Search this
Jordan, Louis, 1908-1975  Search this
Extent:
4.21 Linear feet (7 boxes)
Type:
Collection descriptions
Archival materials
Photographic prints
Phonograph records
Correspondence
Marriage certificates
Ephemera
Financial records
School records
Place:
Washington (D.C.)
Date:
1907-1950
bulk 1913-1945
Summary:
The Griffith Family papers, which dates from 1907 to 1950 and measures 4.21 linear feet, documents the personal lives of three generations in the Griffith family: Sarah Thomas, Delaphine and Jacqueline Griffith. The papers are comprised of personal and professional correspondence, receipts, bills, newspaper clippings, photographs, record albums, and legal documents.
Scope and Contents note:
The collection which dates from 1907 to 1950, bulk dates 1913-1945, documents the lives of three generations of the Griffith family: Sarah Thomas, Delaphine Griffith, and Jacqueline Griffith, while primarily focused on Delaphine (Della) Griffith. The papers document Mrs. Griffith's relationships with friends and family through extensive correspondence, as well as, her experiences as a domestic servant and federal employee. It also documents daily life in Washington D.C. through receipts and bills of sales. Mrs. Griffith and Ms. Griffith also retained a large phonograph record collection comprised of jazz, swing band, and rhythm and blues music.
Arrangement note:
The papers are arranged into three series one of which contains four subseries. Folders are arranged alphabetically within series, while documents are organized chronologically. Undated material appears in the front of folders. Oversized material appears in the series: Music Collection and Photographs. In box 7 of Oversized the folder entitled "Allen Griffith, 1915" appears before the phonograph record booklet covers because of the fragile nature of the portrait's frame. Series 1: Biographical Subseries 1.1: Correspondence Subseries 1.2: Financial Records Subseries 1.3: General Subseries 1.4: Miscellaneous Series 2: Music Collection Series 3: Photographs
Biographical/Historical note:
Delaphine (Della) Griffith was born in Washington, D.C. on December 13, 1896 to Sarah Thomas. She lived in D.C. with her mother until 1916 when she moved to Atlantic City, New Jersey for work. Later that year she moved on to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Mrs. Griffith moved back to Washington, D.C. and met and married Alan Griffith in 1919. Together they had a daughter whom they named Jacqueline. Throughout her adult life, Mrs. Griffith lived with her mother and family on the northwest side of Washington, D.C. She worked for the federal government during two different periods: the early 1930s and during World War II. On November 19, 1950, Mrs. Delaphine Griffith died at the age of 54. Jacqueline Griffith continued to live in the family home until her death in the early 1990s.
Provenance:
The Griffith Family papers were donated to the Anacostia Community Museum in May 1995 by June Brown.
Restrictions:
The collection is open for unrestricted research. Use requires an appointment.
Rights:
The Griffith Family papers are the physical property of the Anacostia Community Museum. Literary and copyright belong to the author/creator or their legal heirs and assigns. Rights to work produced during the normal course of Museum business resides with the Anacostia Community Museum. For further information, and to obtain permission to publish or reproduce, contact the Museum Archives.
Topic:
Popular music  Search this
African American women  Search this
World War 1939-1945 -- Economic aspects -- United States  Search this
African American -- Social life and customs  Search this
African American household employees  Search this
African American families  Search this
Genre/Form:
Photographic prints
Phonograph records
Correspondence
Marriage certificates
Ephemera
Financial records
School records
Citation:
The Griffith Family papers, Anacostia Community Museum Archives, Smithsonian Institution, gift of June Brown.
Identifier:
ACMA.06-004
See more items in:
Griffith family papers
Archival Repository:
Anacostia Community Museum Archives
GUID:
https://n2t.net/ark:/65665/qa765eb353d-e5ed-40a2-b52b-c05d29f17735
EDAN-URL:
ead_collection:sova-acma-06-004