Collection

Atwood Family Papers

• 1867 - 1911 (Creation)

1.25 linear feet

Records of the collection primarily reflect the business activities of members of the Atwood family, and of them mostly J.B. Atwood and Island Mill Lumber. These predominantly come in the form of correspondence written to Atwood and the mill and reflect transactions, negotiations, and other matters. Little correspondence comes from Atwood. Correspondence that is personal shows relations between family members and that they were often lending money between one another. The correspondence and other records stretch from 1867 to 1911, but the bulk of it is from between 1869 to 1876, which may have been a very active time for J.B. Atwood and Island Mill Lumber.

An unrelated document is a small booklet printed by General Motors in 1911 about its operations.

Unrelated to the other contents is a yellow legal pad with previous processing notes written on its pages. These notes offer details on specific letters. It has been retained because of its potential value to researchers and staff alike.

Past practices described the contents of this collection individually. Each item received an object ID number and was treated as a distinct artifact. Records have been reunited, but their original order may have been lost.

No restrictions. Contact the Collections Department and the Archivist to arrange use for research at collections@sloanlongway.org or (810) 237-3421.

The records are housed in legal-length acid free folders in three legal-length Hollinger boxes. Paper is the medium of the collection. Nearly every document has handwriting in cursive, and of that in ink. Handwriting in pencil is sporadic. The booklet from General Motors is a printed document.

The prior processing notes were printed in pencil on a yellow legal pad.

The general condition of the collection is fair. Letters have yellowed to varying extents but there is generally less yellowing. Handwriting remains visible with few signs of fading. Many letters have tears along their edges or showing signs of fraying. Crease marks are common from letters having been folded. Many of the letters are slightly stiff when handled. The GM booklet is in relatively good condition.

No restrictions. Reproductions are done and charged in accordance with Sloan Museum Archives Fee Service Policy.

• English

A downloadable PDF finding aid is available.

Randy Rogers donated the collection to Sloan Museum in February 1966. Roger Van Bolt received it. It remains unknown how Rogers came into possession of the collection, but the contents were created by members of the Atwood family as they went about their lives and carried out business operations.

None.

Describing Archives: A Content Standard, 2nd edition

Jonathan Kirkwood, Archivist
March 3, 2023 (PastPerfect)

Jonathan Kirkwood, Archivist
April 10, 2024 (Access to Memory)

• Business
• Letters

• Allen, E.L. (Subject)
• Atwood, Charles (Subject)
• Atwood, Frank (Subject)
• Atwood, J.B. (Subject)
• Atwood, J.G. (Subject)
• Atwood, William A. (Subject)