Adams (Emma Lee and Jimmie) Papers, 1951-1959

Summary

Creators:

Adams, Emma Lee. and Adams, Jimmie.

Abstract:

The Emma Lee and Jimmie Adams Papers include personal and business correspondence, financial records, legal records, programs, postcards, business cards, and printed material documenting the personal and business activities of Emma Lee and Jimmie Adams. The papers are organized into five series: correspondence, financial records, legal records, religious activities, and printed material. The bulk of the papers is personal correspondence written to Emma Lee Adams from various relatives in Louisiana, Texas, Ohio, and Chicago, Illinois. Many of the letters are from Emma Lee’s sisters, parents, and cousins and discuss general family matters such as weddings, births, illnesses, and work life.

Extent:

1 linear foot (2 boxes)

Language:

Languages represented in the collection: English

Preferred citation:

Emma Lee and Jimmie Adams papers, MS 63, African American Museum & Library at Oakland, Oakland Public Library. Oakland, California.

Background

Scope and content:

The Emma Lee and Jimmie Adams Papers include personal and business correspondence, financial records, legal records, programs, postcards, business cards, and printed material documenting the personal and business activities of Emma Lee and Jimmie Adams. The papers are organized into five series: correspondence, financial records, legal records, religious activities, and printed material. The bulk of the papers is personal correspondence written to Emma Lee Adams from various relatives in Louisiana, Texas, Ohio, and Chicago, Illinois. Many of the letters are from Emma Lee’s sisters, parents, and cousins and discuss general family matters such as weddings, births, illnesses, and work life.

The financial and legal records largely relate to Jimmie Adams’ work as a junk and salvage dealer in Oakland, California. The records include bill of sales, insurance policies, and registrations for salvaged vehicles, receipts from various auto mechanics and scrap dealers, and Adams’ pay stubs and tax statements from employers. The religious activities series includes church programs from Ebenezer Baptist Church and an usher ribbon from Mt. Calvary Baptist Church. The printed material series includes an union contract booklet, an insurance policy booklet from the American Cyanamid Company, blank keno cards and rule book, and one issue of the The Plumb Line G, a newsletter of the African American masonic temple in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

Processing information:

Processed by Sean Heyliger, 09/18/2013.

Arrangement:

Series I. Correspondence Series II. Financial records Series III. Legal records Series IV. Religious activities Series V. Printed material

Rules or conventions:

Finding aid prepared using Describing Archives: a Content Standard

Indexed terms

Subjects:

African American families--California--Oakland.
African American families--History--Sources.

Restrictions:

No access restrictions. Collection is open to the public.

Materials are for use in-library only, non-circulating.

Terms of access:

Permission to publish from the Emma Lee and Jimmie Adams Papers must be obtained from the African American Museum & Library at Oakland.

Preferred citation:

Emma Lee and Jimmie Adams papers, MS 63, African American Museum & Library at Oakland, Oakland Public Library. Oakland, California.

Location of this collection:

Oakland Public Library, African American Museum and Library at Oakland

659 14th Street

Oakland, CA 94612, US

Contact:

(510) 637-0198

aamlo@oaklandlibrary.org

Website

Summary

Extent:

28 folders

Background

Scope and content:

Includes correspondence to Emma Lee and Jimmie Adams from various family members and friends. A majority of the letters are from Adams' sisters and cousins living in Homer, Louisiana, Jonesboro, Louisiana, and Chicago, Illinois and discuss general family matters, Emma Lee's health after an operation in 1951. Also included is one folder of junk mail and general business correspondence related to Jimmie Adams' work as a junk dealer.

Arrangement:

Arranged by correspondent.

Summary

Extent:

6 folders

Background

Scope and content:

Includes bill of sale, pay stubs, receipts, insurance policies, and tax statements related to Jimmie Adams' work as a junk and salvage collector in Oakland, California.

Arrangement:

Arranged by format.

Summary

Extent:

3 folders

Background

Scope and content:

Includes Jimmie Adams' car registrations and junk dealer license with the city of Oakland.

Arrangement:

Arranged by format.

Summary

Extent:

1 folder

Background

Scope and content:

Includes two church programs from Ebenezer Baptist Church and a Mt. Calvary Baptist Church usher ribbon.

Arrangement:

Arranged by format.

Summary

Extent:

2 folders

Background

Scope and content:

Includes blank Keno cards and rule book, an American Cyanamid Company insurance policy booklet, assorted Oakland business cards, two California postcards, and one issue of the The Plumb Line G, the newsletter of an African American masonic temple in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

Arrangement:

Arranged by format.