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Railsback Family Correspondence, 1909-1923

Overview of the Collection

Creator
Railsback Family
Title
Railsback Family Correspondence
Dates
1909-1923 (inclusive)
Quantity
1.0 linear foot
Collection Number
Mss 627
Summary
This collection contains early correspondence between members of the Railsback family of Montana, the personal correspondence of Edna Railsback, and miscellaneous papers, clippings, and notes from 1909-1923.
Repository
University of Montana, Mansfield Library, Archives and Special Collections
Archives and Special Collections
Maureen and Mike Mansfield Library
University of Montana
32 Campus Dr. #9936
59812-9936
Missoula, MT
Telephone: 406-243-2053
library.archives@umontana.edu
Access Restrictions

Researchers must use collection in accordance with the policies of Archives and Special Collections, the Maureen and Mike Mansfield Library, and The University of Montana--Missoula.

Languages
English
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Biographical Note

The Railsbacks were an early ranching family from Billings, Montana. Edmund O. and Lucy Railsback were the parents of Jesse and Edna Railsback. Edmund was a former stockman who died in 1946 at the estimated age of 86. He resided in Billings from the 1890s until 1941. He spent the last 5 years of his life at the Masonic home in Helena. He had been active in Masonic lodges throughout most of his life. His wife, Lucy Railsback, an early school teacher in the Billings schools, died in 1926. Their daughter, Jessie Railsback, was a student at the University of Montana and a member of the Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority. She was a sophomore in 1914, when the majority of her letters were written. Edna lived in Billings during the years of this collection and also spent time in Illinois.

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Content Description

This collection contains early correspondence between members of the Railsback family, the personal correspondence of Edna Railsback, and miscellaneous papers, clippings, and notes from 1909-1923. Jessie Railsback’s letters home offer insight into early student life at the University of Montana, including dorm life and sorority membership. Correspondence to Edna Railsback from various friends and family covered general topics such as daily happenings or recent news

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Other Descriptive Information

Letters from Jessie Railsback to family are most often addressed to Mrs. Edmund O. Railsback but some are addressed to Miss Edna Railsback, who apparently was living at home at the time. Most letters begin with “To Folks,” therefore they are all placed in the same category.

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Use of the Collection

Restrictions on Use

Researchers are responsible for using in accordance with 17 U.S.C. and any other applicable statutes. Copyright status unknown.

Preferred Citation

[Name of document or photograph number], Railsback Family Correspondence, Archives and Special Collections, Maureen and Mike Mansfield Library, The University of Montana--Missoula.

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Administrative Information

Arrangement

The collection is divided into three series:

Series I: Correspondence between Railsback family members, 1910-1914

Series II: Correspondence to Edna Railsback, 1909-1913

Series III: Miscellaneous, 1911-1923

Custodial History

Materials were held by Bard G. Middleton until he donated the papers in 2005

Acquisition Information

Gift of Bard G. Middleton, 2005

Processing Note

The processor organized the letters by recipient and chronology.

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Detailed Description of the Collection

Names and SubjectsReturn to Top

Subject Terms

  • Greek letter societies--Montana--Missoula
  • Women college students--Montana--Missoula--Correspondence

Personal Names

  • Railsback, Edmund, 1859-1946--Correspondence
  • Railsback, Edna L., b. 1888--Correspondence
  • Railsback, Jessie A., b.1884--Correspondence
  • Railsback, Lucy S., 1860-1926--Correspondence

Corporate Names

  • Kappa Kappa Gamma
  • State University of Montana (Missoula)--Students--Correspondence

Family Names

  • Railsback family

Form or Genre Terms

  • Family papers--Montana--Billings
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