View XML QR Code

Photographs of the Raymond Carver Family, 1938-1963

Overview of the Collection

Title
Photographs of the Raymond Carver Family
Dates
1938-1963 (inclusive)
Quantity
38 photographic prints (1 box) ; sizes vary
Collection Number
PH1232
Summary
38 family photos of Raymond Carver with family and friends
Repository
University of Washington Libraries, Special Collections
Special Collections
University of Washington Libraries
Box 352900
Seattle, WA
98195-2900
Telephone: 2065431929
Fax: 2065431931
speccoll@uw.edu
Access Restrictions

No restrictions on access.

Request at UW

Languages
English
Return to Top

Biographical Note

Raymond Clevie Carver Jr. (May 25, 1938 - August 2, 1988) was a Pacific Northwest writer of short stories, novels, poetry, and essays. He was the first child born to Ella Casey (1913-1993) and Raymond Carver Sr. (1913-1967) on May 25, 1938 in Clatskanie, Oregon. Shortly after, the family relocated to Yakima, Washington where Raymond spent his childhood. The Carvers' other child, James Franklin, was born on August 18, 1943.

Edwin Franklin "Grandpa" Carver (1877-1947) was Raymond Sr.'s father. Edwin and his wife, Mary Melissa Green, had two other children, Frederick "Uncle Fred" Carver (born 1905) and Violet Lavonda "Aunt Von" Carver (1910-2001). Frederick married Willa Mae "Aunt Billie" (born 1907). Violet married William ("Bill") T. Archer (1909-1992) had two sons, Bob (born 1930) and Donald (born 1933) Archer.

Raymond has written favorably about his youth in Yakima, specifically of the time he spent with Maryann Burk, fishing and his job as a delivery boy for the local pharmacy. Raymond graduated from Yakima High School in 1956 and married Maryann Burk in June 1957. The couple had two children, Christine La Rae (born December 2, 1957) and Vance Lindsay (born October 19, 1958). They moved to Paradise, California for Raymond to write. Raymond began his college education at Chico State University. He published his first story, “The Furious Seasons” in 1961 after attending John Gardner’s creative writing course at Chico State. Gardner continued to mentor Raymond throughout his career. He concluded his studies at Humboldt State University, graduating with a Bachelor's degree in General Studies in 1963. Raymond and Maryann separated in 1977 and he began living with poet Tess Gallagher (born 1943 in Port Angeles, Washington). Carver and Gallagher lived in several locations across the United States, including Western Washington and New York where they both taught at Syracuse University. Raymond formally divorced Maryann in 1982 and married Gallagher in Reno, Nevada on June 7, 1988. Six weeks later, Carver died from lung cancer on August 2, 1988 in Port Angeles, Washington. Most notable among his many publications were the short story collections Will You Please be Quiet, Please? (1976), What We Talk About When We Talk About Love (1981), and Cathedral (1983).

Return to Top

Content Description

Photographs of Raymond Carver with family and friends, most of them are of him as a child. Photographs were probably made by family members.

Return to Top

Other Descriptive Information

Raymond Carver was named after his father. He is referred to as "Raymond Junior", "Ray", "Ray Junior", and "Junior by his family as noted on verso of various photographs. In this finding aid, the writer Raymond Carver is referred to as "Raymond" and his father is referred to as "Raymond Senior". The subjects with the surname "Carver" are referred to by first name after initial introduction in both finding aid and biographical note. The subjects with other surnames are referred to by last name after initial introduction in both finding aid and biographical note.

Return to Top

Use of the Collection

Restrictions on Use

Copyrights not transferred to the University of Washington Libraries. No copying or publication allowed without express permission.

Return to Top

Administrative Information

Acquisition Information

Source: James Carver (brother), April 17, 2006 and June 2, 2009.

Processing Note

Processed by Libby Hopfauf processing completed in 2014.

Accessioned as PH 2011-011.

Return to Top

Detailed Description of the Collection

 

  • Raymond Carver as a Child (4 months-10 years)

    • Description: Raymond (age 4 months) held by mother, Ella, Clatskanie, Oregon
      Dates: circa September 1938
      Container: Box/Folder 1/1, Item 1
      Location: Raymond Carver as a Child (4 months-10 years)
    • Description: Raymond (age 18 months) held by father, Raymond Sr. sitting on bench, Clatskanie, Oregon
      Dates: circa November 1939
      Container: Box/Folder 1/1, Item 2
      Location: Raymond Carver as a Child (4 months-10 years)
    • Description: Raymond (age 2 ½) with relatives seated on Ella and Raymond Sr.'s porch, Fairview neighborhood, Yakima, Washington

      (From left to right) Bob Archer, Raymond, Donald Archer and Edwin Franklin Carver.

      Dates: circa 1940
      Container: Box/Folder 1/1, Item 3
      Location: Raymond Carver as a Child (4 months-10 years)
    • Description: Raymond (age 3), holding an Easter eggs basket, standing next to father in front yard, Yakima, Washington
      Dates: circa 1941
      Container: Box/Folder 1/1, Item 4
      Location: Raymond Carver as a Child (4 months-10 years)
    • Description: Raymond (age 3) standing in backyard with toy rabbits, eggs, and Easter baskets, Fairview neighborhood, Yakima, Washington

      Written on verso: Ray, 3 1/2 Fairview, Junior. [Age is incorrect; taken at the same time as previous and next image, both of which say age of Carver is 3.]

      Dates: circa 1941
      Container: Box/Folder 1/1, Item 5
      Location: Raymond Carver as a Child (4 months-10 years)
    • Description: Raymond (age 3 1/2) and Ella seated in backyard lawn, Fairview neighborhood, Yakima, Washington

      note on verso: Junior & me.

      Dates: circa 1941
      Container: Box/Folder 1/1, Item 6
      Location: Raymond Carver as a Child (4 months-10 years)
    • Description: Raymond (about age 3) and his parents Ella and Raymond Sr.
      Helene, Astoria, Oregon (photographer)
      Dates: circa 1941
      Container: Box/Folder 1/1, Item 7
      Location: Raymond Carver as a Child (4 months-10 years)
    • Description: Raymond (age 4) riding on a toy car outside, Arkansas

      Written on verso: Jr.'s little car back in Ark. [Raymond Sr. was from Arkansas.]

      Dates: circa 1942
      Container: Box/Folder 1/1, Item 8
      Location: Raymond Carver as a Child (4 months-10 years)
    • Description: Raymond (age 4) pulling miniature Radio-Flyer wagon through snow, Yakima, Washington
      Dates: circa 1942
      Container: Box/Folder 1/1, Item 9
      Location: Raymond Carver as a Child (4 months-10 years)
    • Description: Raymond (age 5) and parents in front yard, Yakima, Washington

      Note on verso: just before James was born. [Age on verso is incorrect. Raymond was born in May 1938 and James was born in August 1943.]

      Dates: circa July 1943
      Container: Box/Folder 1/1, Item 10
      Location: Raymond Carver as a Child (4 months-10 years)
    • Description: Raymond (age 7) with relatives in front of house

      (From left to right) Donald Archer, Edwin Carver (holding James Carver), Bob Archer and Raymond.

      Dates: circa 1945
      Container: Box/Folder 1/1, Item 11
      Location: Raymond Carver as a Child (4 months-10 years)
    • Description: Ella, Raymond Sr., James and Raymond (age 8) in backyard, Fairview neighborhood, Yakima, Washington
      Dates: circa 1946
      Container: Box/Folder 1/2, Item 12
      Location: Raymond Carver as a Child (4 months-10 years)
    • Description: Raymond Sr, James and Raymond (age 8) in backyard, Fairview neighborhood, Yakima, Washington

      Photo taken on same day as previous.

      Dates: circa 1946
      Container: Box/Folder 1/2, Item 13
      Location: Raymond Carver as a Child (4 months-10 years)
    • Description: Raymond (age 9), holding front paws of dog, Mike, with brother, James, holding a football, Fairview neighborhood, Yakima, Washington
      Container: Box/Folder 1/2, Item 14
      Location: Raymond Carver as a Child (4 months-10 years)
    • Description: Raymond (age 10) paying cards with James, Raymond Sr. and an unidentified man, Yakima, Washington
      Dates: circa 1948
      Container: Box/Folder 1/2, Item 15
      Location: Raymond Carver as a Child (4 months-10 years)
    • Description: Raymond Sr., Raymond (age 10), Ella and James at "Helene House"
      Dates: circa 1948
      Container: Box/Folder 1/2, Item 16
      Location: Raymond Carver as a Child (4 months-10 years)
    • Description: Raymond (age 10) and James playing football in the front yard in the snow next to decorated Christmas tree, Fairview neighborhood, Yakima, Washington
      Dates: circa Winter 1948
      Container: Box/Folder 1/2, Item 17
      Location: Raymond Carver as a Child (4 months-10 years)
    • Description: James, Raymond Sr. and Raymond (age 10) kneeling in front of Edwin Carver's grave, Yakima, Washington
      Dates: circa 1948
      Container: Box/Folder 1/2, Item 18
      Location: Raymond Carver as a Child (4 months-10 years)
    • Description: James, Raymond Sr. and Raymond (age 10) with fishing gear in front of tent, Wenas Lake, Washington

      Written on verso: James, Dad, Ray, 11 yrs, Wenaz Lake, 75 miles so. of Yakima. [Maps of the area provide a different spelling of lake. Based on photos taken at same time with same processing stamp, Raymond Jr. is 10 years old in this photo].

      Dates: circa 1948
      Container: Box/Folder 1/2, Item 19
      Location: Raymond Carver as a Child (4 months-10 years)
    • Description: James, two children, Raymond (age 10), and dog, Mike, near Easter baskets, Yakima, Washington
      Dates: Spring 1948
      Container: Box/Folder 1/2, Item 20
      Location: Raymond Carver as a Child (4 months-10 years)

  • Raymond Carver as an Adolescent (11-18)

    • Description: Raymond (age 11) with family in front of Edwin Carver's house, Omak, Washington

      (From left to right) Ella, Raymond, James, Raymond Sr., William Archer, Willa Mae Carver, Frederick Carver and girl.

      Dates: circa 1949
      Container: Box/Folder 1/3, Item 21
      Location: Raymond Carver as an Adolescent (11-18)
    • Description: Raymond (age 11), James, dog, Mike, and Raymond Sr. seated on cabin front porch, Blue Lake, Washington
      Dates: circa 1949
      Container: Box/Folder 1/3, Item 22
      Location: Raymond Carver as an Adolescent (11-18)
    • Description: Raymond (age 11), James, and Ella seated on cabin front porch, Blue Lake, Washington

      Written on verso: Ray, 12 yrs, James, Mom, Blue Lake (Cabin) WA. [Photo taken at immediately after previous (same clothes and location, similar positions); age on verso is incorrect.]

      Dates: circa 1949
      Container: Box/Folder 1/3, Item 23
      Location: Raymond Carver as an Adolescent (11-18)
    • Description: Ella, James, and Raymond (age 11) standing on bridge in front of waterfall, Yakima River, Thorp, Washington
      Dates: circa 1949
      Container: Box/Folder 1/3, Item 24
      Location: Raymond Carver as an Adolescent (11-18)
    • Description: Raymond (age 12) fishing, Blue Lake, Washington
      Dates: circa 1950
      Container: Box/Folder 1/3, Item 25
      Location: Raymond Carver as an Adolescent (11-18)
    • Description: Raymond (age 12) and James opening Christmas presents in front of Christmas tree, Fairview neighborhood, Yakima, Washington
      Dates: circa 1950
      Container: Box/Folder 1/3, Item 26
      Location: Raymond Carver as an Adolescent (11-18)
    • Description: James and Raymond (age 13) standing on bridge over Yakima River, Blue Lake, Washington
      Dates: circa 1951
      Container: Box/Folder 1/3, Item 27
      Location: Raymond Carver as an Adolescent (11-18)
    • Description: Raymond (age 14), holding fishing basket near Rimrock Lake, Washington
      Dates: circa 1952
      Container: Box/Folder 1/3, Item 28
      Location: Raymond Carver as an Adolescent (11-18)
    • Description: James and Raymond (age 14) standing in Tieton River, fishing, Yakima, Washington
      Dates: circa 1952
      Container: Box/Folder 1/3, Item 29
      Location: Raymond Carver as an Adolescent (11-18)
    • Description: Raymond (age 15), James with arms around dog, Toby kneeling next to Raymond Sr. on bridge over Yakima River, Yakima, Washington
      Dates: circa 1953
      Container: Box/Folder 1/4, Item 30
      Location: Raymond Carver as an Adolescent (11-18)
    • Description: Raymond (age 15) crouched on log with dog, Toby, Yakima, Washington
      Dates: circa 1953
      Container: Box/Folder 1/4, Item 31
      Location: Raymond Carver as an Adolescent (11-18)
    • Description: Raymond (age 16) smoking on front porch, Yakima, Washington
      Dates: circa 1954
      Container: Box/Folder 1/4, Item 32
      Location: Raymond Carver as an Adolescent (11-18)
    • Description: Raymond (age 16), Raymond Sr., and James, Sportsman Park, Yakima, Washington
      Dates: circa 1954
      Container: Box/Folder 1/4, Item 33
      Location: Raymond Carver as an Adolescent (11-18)
    • Description: Raymond (age 18) and Maryann holding buffet plates, James can be seen getting food in background, Yakima, Washington
      Dates: circa 1956
      Container: Box/Folder 1/4, Item 34
      Location: Raymond Carver as an Adolescent (11-18)

  • Raymond Carver as an Adult (ages 19-25)

    • Description: Raymond (age 19) and wife, Maryann, holding daughter, Christine in front of fireplace, decorated with Christmas cards
      Dates: circa December 1957
      Container: Box/Folder 1/4, Item 35
      Location: Raymond Carver as an Adult (ages 19-25)
    • Description: Raymond (age 19), with wife, Maryann, holding daughter, Christine, and family in front of house

      (From left to right) Ella, James, Raymond, Maryann, holding Christine, and Raymond Sr..

      Note on verso: just made a week before we came down for new year.

      Dates: circa January 1958
      Container: Box/Folder 1/4, Item 36
      Location: Raymond Carver as an Adult (ages 19-25)
    • Description: Raymond (age 20) and James standing in driveway
      Dates: circa 1958
      Container: Box/Folder 1/4, Item 37
      Location: Raymond Carver as an Adult (ages 19-25)
    • Description: Ella and Raymond (age 25), dressed in graduation gown, in parking lot at Humboldt State University graduation, Arcata, California
      Dates: circa Spring 1963
      Container: Box/Folder 1/4, Item 38
      Location: Raymond Carver as an Adult (ages 19-25)


2016 (Last modified: 5/30/2024)

CC0

About Creative Commons Licenses in Archives West