Identity area
Reference code
Title
Date(s)
- 1883-1905 (Creation)
Level of description
Extent and medium
10pp
Context area
Archival history
The original manuscripts of the McKeown Letters were sent by Elizabeth Cosgrove of Leeson Street, Belfast, to Dr. Arnold Schrier on 21 June 1955. Schrier later passed the letters on to his collaborator, Kerby A. Miller.
Immediate source of acquisition or transfer
Content and structure area
Scope and content
Kerby A. Miller's typed excerpts and abstracts of the McKeown letters, which are 16 letters written by siblings Michael and Patrick McKeown, and Patrick's daughter Maggie, in Philadelphia to Michael and Patrick's sisters Sarah and Mary and nephew Andrew Cosgrove in County Antrim between 1873 and 1905. The McKeown family appears to have originated in Lisburn. Patrick is the author of the majority of the letters.
Per Bruce D. Boling: 'Patrick McKeown describes himself as a laborer, often in the 'trade' of street-paving. However, from now on he appears to be unemployed more often than employed, partly, he complains, because of competition from New Immigrants, esp. Italians... ...1902-1903: Spent 18 months in New Orleans. Went south to work for a contractor, but the job failed, he got sick, and was stranded for a long time before he could make it back to his family in Philadelphia.'
Appraisal, destruction and scheduling
Accruals
System of arrangement
Conditions of access and use area
Conditions governing access
Conditions governing reproduction
Language of material
Script of material
Language and script notes
Physical characteristics and technical requirements
Finding aids
Allied materials area
Existence and location of originals
Existence and location of copies
Related units of description
Note
The reference copies of the letters and related research are located in P155/41/1.