Collection is open to the public. Collection must be used in Special Collections and University Archives Reading Room. Collection or parts of collection may be stored offsite. Please contact Special Collections and University Archives in advance of your visit to allow for transportation time.
Paper finding aid with additional information is available in Special Collections & University Archives.
Alvane Cary Seely, MD (1870-1959) was born in Carysville, Ohio, and graduated from the Medical School at the University of Cincinnati in 1893. He worked as a surgeon in the Northern Pacific Steamship Line service from 1899-1904. He then traveled to Oregon where he established a medical practice in Roseburg, Oregon that specialized in eye, ear, nose and throat maladies. He married Florence De Lacey Hall of Myrtle Creek, Oregon in 1905. The couple had a son, Hall, in 1907.
The collection contains diaries, scrapbooks, and manuscripts.
The diaries include a diary by Seely from 1883-1955, and a diary by his wife, 1900-1909. The diary by Dr. Seely is a copy, typed by the author from originals which he destroyed. Aside from recording medical work, the diary has many references to social, political, and economic affairs in Roseburg and Douglas County, and to early automobiling experiences; the doctor was an enthusiastic motor tourist from 1910.
The five scrapbooks contain clippings published from the 1890's - mid 1900's concerning family matters, events in and around Roseburg, and a few refer to Seely's travels.
The manuscripts consist of short stories, articles for medical journals, and novels by Seely. None of the novels were published; some are based on Seely's experiences in and about Roseburg