Archives West Finding Aid

The Ronald and Ilene Kingsbury papers (1832-1995) consist of materials focusing on Utah and the history of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church), as well as family history. The collection seems to be more a reflection of Ilene Kingbury's research interests and work than her husband's. Included are correspondence, writings, articles, news clippings, pamphlets, programs, journals, genealogy records, biographies, notes, and music on various people and subjects. The collection is divided into the following three sections: The first section, Personal and Family Materials, comprises boxes 1-4 and dates from 1832 to 1982. The first two boxes deal exclusively with Ronald and Ilene Kingsbury and hold mainly correspondence and materials from classes they took, among some other papers. The last two boxes concentrate on the Kingsburys' family history, namely their ancestor Joseph Corrodon Kingsbury (1812-1898), an 1847 pioneer to Utah. Joseph C. Kingsbury was a prominent LDS convert who held many secular and ecclesiastical positions within his community. His diary, located in box 3, tells of his conversion to the LDS faith, his acquaintance with the prophet Joseph Smith, Jr., and his hardships and joys. The original diary is located in the Manuscripts Division Reserve Collection and is accessible with permission from the division head. Also located in box 3 are Kingsbury's journal of the George B. Wallace Company of pioneers to the Salt Lake Valley and his family's genealogical records. Box 4 continues with the family's genealogy and includes some biographies and patriarchal blessings. Materials relating to Joseph C. Kingsbury date from the 1830s and onwards but also contain genealogy dating back to the seventeenth century. Of interest is the fact that Joseph T. Kingsbury, president of the University of Utah from 1892 to 1894 and again from 1897 to 1916, was the son of Joseph C. Kingsbury. Ronald Lovesy Kingsbury, one of the subjects of this collection, was a grandson of the latter. Box 4 also contains various items written in Welsh. The second section, Research Materials, comprises boxes 5-19 and dates from 1877 to 1981. These materials revolve around the history of the LDS Church, Utah, and pioneers. The section is divided into two categories: biographical files and subject files. The biographical files are arranged alphabetically in boxes 5-7. These files simply consist of hundreds of short biographies, mainly of early pioneers and western settlers. The bulk of the biographies do not contain dates as to when they were written. Also, most of the folders in this section contain obituaries and short articles on various individuals that were grouped together and placed at the back of each folder. Because of this grouping, they are not in exact alphabetical order. The subject files are also arranged alphabetically and are in boxes 8-18. Some of the subjects included pertain to religion, the arts, organizations, medicine, industry, states, cities, counties, wars, buildings, and people. Many of the materials in these files are associated with several subjects, but could only be filed under one heading. The final box in this section contains subject index cards arranged alphabetically. The third section consists of miscellaneous materials separated from a donation of photographs. These materials focus mainly on Myron K. Billings and Joseph T. Kingsbury.