Skip to main content

Theodor R. and Helen V. Swem Papers

 Collection
Identifier: Mss. Acc. 2008.165

  • Staff Only

Scope and Contents

This collection is composed of personal papers, genealogy material and family photographs, gathered by Theodor R. and Helen V. Swem. Included are original documents, notes on the Swem, Gregg and Wright families, correspondence among family members regarding genealogy, articles, books, publications and diaries by or about the families, photographs of family members, including one of Dr. Earl Gregg Swem, Sr., Earl Gregg Swem, Jr., and Earl Gregg Swem, III, and material on Earl Gregg Swem's connection to the College of William and Mary. The collection also contains photographs, circa 1870s-1988, taken of and by members of the Swem family. Some of the 19th century photographs were taken by E.L. (Edward Lawrence) Swem, the father of Earl Gregg Swem, who was the owner of Swem & Newton Gallery in Belle Plaine, Iowa and later of Swem Cottage Gallery (or also Swems Studio) in Cedar Rapids Iowa. Most photographs are described and often dated on the reverse side.

Dates

  • Creation: 1856-1996
  • Creation: Majority of material found in 1950-1970

Creator

Language of Materials

English

Conditions Governing Access:

Collection is open to all researchers. Manuscript collections and archival records may contain materials with sensitive or confidential information that is protected under federal or state right to privacy laws and regulations, such as the Virginia Public Records Act (Code of Virginia. § 42.1-76-91); and the Virginia Freedom of Information Act (Code of Virginia § 2.2-3705.5). Confidential material may include, but is not limited to, educational, medical, and personnel records. If sensitive material is found in this collection, please contact a staff member immediately. The disclosure of personally identifiable information pertaining to a living individual may have legal consequences for which the College of William and Mary assumes no responsibility.

Conditions Governing Use:

Before reproducing or quoting from any materials, in whole or in part, permission must be obtained from the Special Collections Research Center, and the holder of the copyright, if not Swem Library.

Biographical Information:

Helen V. Swem is the wife of Theodor Swem and the niece-in-law of Earl Gregg Swem.

Extent

1.00 Linear Feet

Arrangement of Materials:

The collection is arranged into the following series: Correspondence, Genealogical Documents and Notes, Published Materials about the Family, Earl Gregg Swem Materials, Materials Related to the College of William and Mary, and Photographs.

Acquisition Information:

Acc. 2008.165 is a gift, received December 2008. Acc. 2009.392 is a gift, received 09/15/2009.

Related Materials:

Earl Gregg Swem Genealogy Collection, 1719-1982 (Mss. 82 Swem4)

Processing Information:

Arranged and described by Daniel Vivas in March 2009; finding aid revised by Amy White in September 2009, folder titles updated and finding aid revised by Kim Sims, September 2014.

Title
Guide to the Theodor R. and Helen V. Swem Papers
Author
Finding Aid Authors: Daniel Vivas, Amy White, Kim Sims.
Date
2009-03-26
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin
Language of description note
English

Repository Details

Part of the Special Collections Research Center Repository

Contact: