Elizabeth Berger Swan Papers

Elizabeth Berger Swan Papers, 1967-1971

Overview of the Collection

Creator: Swan, Elizabeth Berger, 1881-1971
Title: Elizabeth Berger Swan Papers
Dates: 1967-1971
19671971
Quantity: 1 folder
Collection Number: Collection 0541, MtBC, us (collection)
Summary: The Elizabeth Berger Swan papers consist of two photocopies of original typescript stories created by Swan. The first, "A Brief History of the First Catholic Pioneers of Lewistown, Montana," is a narrative of her family and relations first settlement in Lewistown and the early development of the town and the activities of the Catholic Church. The second essay, "Sporty and the Bear Claw," is a Cree Indian story regarding a young man's conversion from native religion to Catholicism. The Swan papers also include a newspaper article by her, which provides details on her childhood and school days at the St. Peter's Mission school.
Repository: Montana State University Library, Merrill G. Burlingame Special Collections
Montana State University-Bozeman Library
Merrill G Burlingame Special Collections
P.O. Box 173320
Bozeman, MT
59717-3320
Telephone: 4069944242
Fax: 4069942851
Access Restrictions: This collection is open for research.
Languages: English

Biographical NoteReturn to Top

Elizabeth Berger Swan was born in Lewistown, Montana on February 9, 1881, the daughter of John B. and Betsy Berger. The Bergers were part of the Red River Metis people who migrated south from Canada and homesteaded in the Lewistown (Fergus County) area beginning in 1879. Devout Catholics, the Bergers sent Elizabeth to the St. Peter's Mission school near Great Falls for her education. Elizabeth married William Swanson in 1900 and the couple had at least three children. Before her death on November 27, 1971, Elizabeth Swan wrote a number of reminiscences and stories about her family life and the history of the Lewistown Metis Catholic community.

Content DescriptionReturn to Top

The Elizabeth Berger Swan papers consist of two photocopies of original typescript stories created by her and subsequently donated to the Lewistown Public Library. The first, "A Brief History of the First Catholic Pioneers of Lewistown, Montana," is a narrative of her family and relations first settlement in Lewistown and the early development of the town and the activities of the Catholic Church. Many early settlers are named in the narrative. The second essay, "Sporty and the Bear Claw," is a Cree Indian story regarding a young man's conversion from native religion to Catholicism. The Swan papers also include a newspaper article by her, which was published in the Lewistown News-Argus on December 22, 1968, giving details on her childhood and school days at the St. Peter's Mission school.

Administrative InformationReturn to Top

Acquisition Information

Original typescripts of essays written by Elizabeth B. Swan of Lewistown, Montana were loaned to Montana State University for photocopying by her in 1967 and subsequently donated to the Lewistown Public Library. A newspaper article written by Swan was added to her papers in 1968. This collection incorporates material formerly assigned collection number 542.

Processing Note

This collection was processed 2012 March 30

Names and SubjectsReturn to Top

Subject Terms

Cree Indians--Religion
Families--Montana--Lewistown
Frontier and pioneer life--Montana--Lewistown
Métis--Montana--Lewistown
Pioneers--Montana--Lewistown

Personal Names

Swan, Elizabeth Berger, 1881-1971

Corporate Names

Catholic Church--Education--Great Falls
Catholic Church--Montana--Lewistown
St. Peter's Mission (Great Falls, Mont.)

Family Names

Berger family

Geographical Names

Lewistown (Mont.)--History
Lewistown (Mont.)--Church history

Other Creators

Personal Names
- Swan, Elizabeth Berger, 1881-1971. A brief history of the first Catholic pioneers of Lewistown, Montana.
- Swan, Elizabeth Berger, 1881-1971. Sporty and the Bear Claw.

Archives West Finding Aid

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