African American Archive, Ruth Jones, NC, Atlanta, photos / letters / HBCU

This listing is for an archive / collection of the life of Ruth Jones and her mother (also Ruth Jones) from Scotland Neck, North Carolina. The Mother attended Saint Augustine College (Raleigh NC, HBCU) in the mid 1920s, she worked as a librarian in Halifax County, NC until 1974. The daughter Ruth Ward Jones attended school in Binghampton, NY and married Joseph Samuel Ormond in 1963. He joined the service and they spent time in California before settling in Atlanta. It appears there were prior family connections in Atlanta (early 1900s) - there is a photo and obituary of McKenzie Jones - it appears that this side of the family was related to the elder Ruth's mother. Here is a rough breakdown on the contents of the collection. Approx 100 old photographs, 25 of these appear to be later reprints of old family photos. Raleigh NC, Mebane NC, Atlanta. Large photo album (no covers) 13 x 10 inches, likely Saint Augustine School, Raleigh. Dates written in album are 1923 and 1925. Approx 55 photos with some identification. This belonged to Ruth (the mother) and features photos of her and her friends, male and female.

Mounted photo (photo is 7 x 9.5 inches). Small section missing at bottom corner, mounted on cardboard which is in poor condition with several large sections missing. Augustine - HS written on photo. Saint Augustine College had a high school affiliated with the college.

Augustine College High School commencement program with names of the 32 graduates including Roberts Jones, husband of the elder Ruth Jones. Program is folded, but otherwise in VG condition. Baby book with records of the 1947 birth of McKenzie Anderson Jones, Jr. With a great "Family Tree" that lists 4 generations of names. I believe this came from (older) Ruth's side of the family.

Undated funeral program for Carrie Evans Ward (Ruth's sister), Mutts Funeral Home, Scotland Neck, NC. The booklet has 118 signatures of people who attended the funeral and signed the register. 2 sheets stapled and folded of Ruth's classes at North Carolina College at Durham (HBCU now known as NC Central), dated 1925 and with a stamped seal from the Registrar.

15 x 11 inch folded newsclipping showing photos and names of 129 graduates of Peabody High School in Petersburg VA, the first public school for African American students in Virginia. Clipping is folded and brittle, with some chipping and writing. No date on the clipping but an article on the back refers to the 1960 Census, so this must be from the 60s. 1974 manuscript resignation letter from Ruth to the Superintendent of Halifax County Schools, Ruth worked as a librarian at Brawley Elementary. 4 page unbound First Communion booklet for Ruth Ward Jones (younger) dated 1956.

8 manuscript letters (most multi page and legible), with envelopes. Mostly letters between Ruth (Mom) and Ruth (Daughter). Plus an assortment of receipts, cards, invitations, ephemera. There are some scraps of what looks like a deed from the early 1900s with the name Thomas William Evans, who was the older Ruth's father I believe.

Estate sale find, as found nothing added or removed. Free Ground Advantage in the US, in a box.

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