Roosevelt Family Papers, 1469-1962 | Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library & Museum
Collection Overview
Title: Roosevelt Family Papers, 1469-1962
Extent: 64.17 Cubic Feet
Arrangement: The papers are arranged into two series (Papers Colleted by Frankin D. Roosevelt and Family Papers Received from other Donors) and various subseries thereunder.
Scope and Contents of the Materials
The collection contains correspondence, letter books, diaries, and real estate and business papers of many Roosevelt family members – direct ancestors and other relatives of both Franklin D. and Eleanor Roosevelt. Scrapbooks, newspaper clippings, maps, pamphlets and other printed materials pertaining to family members are also included.
The President's paternal line, which included well-to-do merchants and property owners in the city of New York and Dutchess County, was as follows: Claes Martenszen Van Rosenvelt (?-?) -- Nicholas Roosevelt (1658-1742) -- Jacobus Roosevelt (1692-1776) -- Isaac (I) Roosevelt (1726-1794) -- James (I) Roosevelt (1760-1847) -- Isaac (II) Roosevelt (1790-1863) -- James (II) Roosevelt (1828-1900) -- Franklin Delano Roosevelt (1882-1945)
The papers of the Roosevelt line found in this collection date from 1679 but the earliest papers in any quantity are those of Jacobus Roosevelt, the President's great-great-great grandfather. His papers and those of his direct descendants include correspondence, deeds, and account books, dealing mainly with real estate in the city of New York and the sugar refining mill established by Isaac (I).
Isaac (I) ("the Patriot"), a financial supporter of the Revolution, was a member of the Constitutional Convention held in Poughkeepsie in 1788 for the purpose of ratifying the Federal Constitution. He served as the first President of the Bank of New York. Isaac's son James (I) continued the family sugar refining business started by his father f retiring in 1819 to "Mount Hope", his newly constructed home several miles north of Poughkeepsie. In 1832, his son Dr. Isaac Roosevelt built a house nearby on the estate called "Rosedale." James (I) willed "Mount Hope" to his grandson James (II). Dr. Isaac's other son, John Aspinwall Roosevelt, inherited "Rosedale" on his father's death. Most of the papers of the President's direct ancestors came from the "Rosedale” estate as "Mount Hope" was destroyed by fire in 1866. Other documents concerning the Roosevelt family were donated to the President by several individuals; correspondence showing their background is often found filed with the documents.
The "Crum Elbow" Papers, also from the "Rosedale" estate, mainly concern the property of the Ludlow family in Hyde Park, later a part of James (II) Roosevelt's "Springwood" estate. The relationship between these Ludlows and Eleanor Roosevelt's grandmother, Nary Ludlow Hall, and great-grandparents, Elizabeth Livingston and Edward Hunter Ludlow, is not known.
The collection also contains papers of James (II) Roosevelt, his first wife, Rebecca Howland Roosevelt, and his second wife, Sara Delano Roosevelt - the President's mother. The President's father practiced law for a short time and later entered the railroad business, becoming Vice-President of the Delaware and Hudson Railroad Company and President of the Champlain Transportation Company. He was also active in Dutchess County affairs, serving as Supervisor of the Town of Hyde Park for two terms and as a manager of the Hudson River State Hospital.
Papers of James Roosevelt Roosevelt ("Rosy"), Franklin D. Roosevelt’s half-brother, and John Aspinwall, Roosevelt, his uncle, are also in this group of family papers. "Rosy" served as Secretary of the United States Legation at Vienna and Secretary of the Embassy at London, 1888-1896. John Aspinwall Roosevelt, a well-known ice-yachting enthusiast, was a commodore of the Poughkeepsie Ice Yacht Club and the owner of the Icicle, many times a winner of the Ice Yacht Challenge Pennant of America.
Also present is the President's collection of Delano family papers dating from 1469. The Delano family originated in France, with later members moving to Holland. The first Delano in this country, Philippe de la Noye, settled in Massachusetts and the family became well-known in the shipping business. Sara Delano Roosevelt's grandfather, Captain Warren Delano, constructed the Delano home in Fairhaven, Massachusetts. Sara's father, Warren Delano II, and his brother Edward both had shipping interests in China and the Delano family lived there for a period during Sara's childhood (1862-1865). After returning from China, the family lived at "Algonac" near Newburgh, New York. The collection also includes papers of the Hall family, largely business and property records of Eleanor Roosevelt's maternal grandparents, Valentine G. and Nary Ludlow Hall of Tivoli, New York. Included are a few items connected with Elizabeth Ludlow and Nary Livingston, Mrs. Hall's mother and grandmother.
Papers of Gracie Hall Roosevelt, Eleanor's brother, consist of records of building projects that he supervised in Hyde Park around 1940. The papers of Helen Roosevelt Robinson, daughter of "Rosy" Roosevelt, include correspondence received from Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt, as well as a few letters from Theodore Roosevelt.
Administrative Information
Repository: Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library & Museum
Access Restrictions: None.
Use Restrictions: Literary property rights in these papers have not been donated to the United States Government.
Acquisition Method: Franklin D. Roosevelt purchased many of these family papers and acquired others from family and friends. He, it turn, gave his collection to the Library. Papers of James Roosevelt Roosevelt were given to the Library by his daughter, Helen Roosevelt Robinson; papers of John Aspinwall Roosevelt were received from his grandson, Russell Crosby Clark; Hall Family Papers were received from Eleanor Roosevelt and the Rev. James W. Lindsley. Papers of Helen Roosevelt Robinson were received from her estate. Other Roosevelt and Delano family items were donated to the Library by Eleanor Roosevelt, Frederic A. Delano, Helen Roosevelt Robinson, Sylvia Delano Hitch, H.R. Madol, Charles A. Ranlett, and William Hassett. The paperse ewre received at the Library between 1941 and 1974.
Related Materials: Family Papers in the Papers of Eleanor Roosevelt; Roosevelt Family Papers Donated by the Children of Franklin D. and Eleanor Roosevelt; Delano Family Papers; and Papers of Frederic A. Delano.
Box and Folder Listing
Browse by Series:
[Series 1: Papers Collected by Franklin D. Roosevelt],
[Series 2: Family Papers Received from Other Donors],
[All]
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Series 1: Papers Collected by Franklin D. Roosevelt
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Sub-Series 1: Papers of Franklin D. Roosevelt's Paternal Ancestors
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This subseries is divided into three parts:
A. A chronological file of miscellaneous Roosevelt family papers, including correspondence, legal and business papers, two horoscopes done for the President, and printed material, 1706-1945. Many of these items were given to the President; some were purchased by him or acquired from the "Rosedale" estate. Similar material may be' found in the subseries "Miscellaneous Papers of the Roosevelt and Dealno Families."
B. Correspondence and records of Roosevelt's direct ancestors and other Roosevelt family members, 1679-1928, arranged by correspondent or individual involved in the legal or business transaction. Most of these papers, including correspondence, deeds, leases, and receipts, deal with real estate matters in New York, the Roosevelt Sugar House, and trading activities with the Thomas Hunt family in Bermuda. Other correspondence of the President's direct ancestors may be found on microfilm in the papers of John Aspinwall Roosevelt (subseries "Papers of John Aspinwall Roosevelt"). Correspondence from Isaac (II) to his son James may be found in the subseries "Papers of James (II) Roosevelt."
C. Bound account books, 1715-1832, arranged according to individual and thereunder chronologically. Many are related to the Sugar House; there are also accounts of Thomas Hunt, Jr. and Abraham Walton, father-in-law of James (I) Roosevelt. Both the account books and the correspondence and records were acquired by the President from Miss Ellen C. Roosevelt and Mrs. Appleton L. Clark, daughters of John Aspinwall Roosevelt.
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Box 1
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Box 2
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Box 3
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Box 4
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Box 5
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Box 6
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Correspondence and Records -Papers of Isaac (I) Roosevelt (1726-1794)- Family Records, oversize, 1726-1827
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Correspondence and Records - Papers of Isaac (I) Roosevelt (1726-1794) - General Correspondence with Thomas Hunt and his sons, oversize, 1767-1794
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Correspondence and Records -Papers of Isaac (I) Roosevelt (1726-1794)- General Correspondence, Miscellaneous, oversize, 1750-1794
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Correspondence and Records - Papers of Isaac (I) Roosevelt - papers relating to the Estate of Isaac (I) Roosevelt, oversize, 1776-1810
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Correspondence and Records - Papers of Isaac (I) Roosevelt (1726-1794) - Isaac (I) Roosevelt and Sons , Fragments, oversize, 1783-1786
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Papers relating to Rev John Remsen, (oversize), 1765-1809
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Box 7
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Correspondence and Records - Papers of James (I) Roosevelt (1760-1847) - Family Records (oversize), 1760-1835
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Correspondence and Records - Papers of James (I) Roosevelt (1760-1847) - Family letters, (oversize), 1808-1837
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Correspondence and Records - Papers of James (I) Roosevelt (1760-1847) - General Correspondence with the Hunt family (oversize), 1772-1825
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Correspondence and Records - Papers of James (I) Roosevelt (1760-1847) - General Correspondence with the Walton family, (oversize), 1780-1807
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Correspondence and Records - Papers of James (I) Roosevelt (1760-1847) - General Correspondence relating to the properties in New York City, (oversize), 1795-1829
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Correspondence and Records - Papers of James (I) Roosevelt (1760-1847) - Bills relating to the properties in New York City, (oversize), 1795-1823
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Correspondence and Records - Papers of James (I) Roosevelt (1760-1847) - General Correspondence relating to property in Dutchess County, (oversize), 1809-1818
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Correspondence and Records - Papers of James (I) Roosevelt (1760-1847) - Miscellaneous Correspondence (oversize), 1789-1823
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Correspondence and Records - Papers of James (I) Roosevelt (1760-1847) - Five bankbooks on New York banks, (oversize), 1795-1826
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Box 8
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Box 9
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Correspondence and Records - Papers of other members of the family - Aspinwall, John L. brother-in-law, 1838
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Correspondence and Records - Papers of other members of the family - Barclay, Thomas, Andrew D., and Henry, grandsons of Jacobus Roosevelt (oversize), 1778-1790
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Correspondence and Records - Papers of other members of the family - Clark, Roosevelt LeSure (1897-1928), son of Grace Roosevelt Clark (oversize)
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Correspondence and Records - Papers of other members of the family - Crommelin, James (1755-?), grandson of Jacobus Roosevelt (oversize), 1789
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Correspondence and Records - Papers of other members of the family - Kissam, Benjamin (1759-1803), husband of Cornelia Roosevelt, daughter of Isaac (I) (oversize), 1803-1805
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Correspondence and Records - Papers of other members of the family - Kissam, Cornelia Roosevelt (1767-1814), daughter of Isaac (I) Roosevelt (oversize), 1804-1814
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Correspondence and Records - Papers of other members of the family - Roosevelt, Adolphus (1735-?), son of Jacobus Roosevelt (oversize), 1765, 1783-1794
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Correspondence and Records - Papers of other members of the family - Roosevelt, Catharine (1756-1807), sister of James (I) Roosevelt (oversize), 1796-1807
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Correspondence and Records - Papers of other members of the family - Roosevelt, Ellen Crosby (1868-1954), daughter of John A. Roosevelt (oversize), 1868
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Correspondence and Records - Papers of other members of the family - Roosevelt, Hamilton (1805-1827), son of James (I) Roosevelt (oversize), 1823-1829
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Correspondence and Records - Papers of other members of the family - Roosevelt, Helena (1768-1797) oversize, 1797-1799
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Correspondence and Records - Papers of other members of the family - Roosevelt, Jacobus (1724-?), son of Johannes Roosevelt (oversize), 1767
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Correspondence and Records - Papers of other members of the family - Roosevelt, James C. (1770-?), son of Christopher Roosevelt and grandson of Jacobus Roosevelt (oversize), 1784-1794
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Correspondence and Records - Papers of other members of the family - Roosevelt, John A. (1840-1909), son of Isaac (II) Roosevelt (oversize), 1864-1926
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Correspondence and Records - Papers of other members of the family - Roosevelt, John J. (1751-?), son of Johannes Roosevelt (oversize), 1786?
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Correspondence and Records - Papers of other members of the family - Roosevelt, Richard V. (1801-1835), son of James (I) Roosevelt (oversize), 1820-1834
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Correspondence and Records - Papers of other members of the family - Roosevelt, Samuel (1813-1878), son of Nicholas Roosevelt and great-great-nephew of Jacobus Roosevelt (oversize), 1832
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Correspondence and Records - Papers of other members of the family - Varick, Richard (1753-1831), son-in law of Isaac (I) Roosevelt (oversize), 1773-1825
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Correspondence and Records - Papers of other members of the family - Walton, Abraham (?-1796), father-in-law of James (I) Roosevelt (oversize), 1779-1803
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Correspondence and Records - Papers of other members of the family - Woolsey, George Muirson (1772-1851), married Abigail Howland, sister of Harriet Howland, third wife of James (I) Roosevelt (oversize), 1823
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Correspondence and Records - Papers of other members of the family - Miscellaneous (oversize), 1755-1794
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Box 10
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Correspondence and Records - Miscellaneous papers, 1679-1928 - Jared Lane (oversize), 1777
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Correspondence and Records - Miscellaneous papers, 1679-1928 - St. James' Church, Hyde Park, New York (oversize), 1925-1928
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Correspondence and Records - Miscellaneous papers, 1679-1928 - See Container 6, No. 7 (oversize)
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Correspondence and Records - Miscellaneous papers, 1679-1928 - Unrelated material (oversize), 1679-1864
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Correspondence and Records - Miscellaneous papers, 1679-1928 - Fragments, 184 pieces which include 41 Sugar House items. (oversize)
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Box 11
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Box 12
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Box 13
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Box 14
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Box 15
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Box 16
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Box 17
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Box 18
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Box 19
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Box 20
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Box 21
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Box 22
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Box 23
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Box 24
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Box 25
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Box 26
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Box 27
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Box 28
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Box 29
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Box 30
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Box 31
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Box 32
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Box 33
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Box 34
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Box 35
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Box 36
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Box 37
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Box 38
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Box 39
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Box 40
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Box 41
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Box 42
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Box 43
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Box 44
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Box 45
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Box 46
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Box 47
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Box 48
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Box 49
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Box 50
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Sub-Series 2: Crum Elbow Papers
- Papers, also from the "Rosedale" estate, relating mainly to the property of the Ludlow family in the Crum Elbow district of Hyde Park, 1765-1854. This property later became part of "Springwood", the estate of James (II) Roosevelt. The relationship between the Ludlows mentioned in these documents and Eleanor Roosevelt's great-grandparents, Elizabeth Livingston and Edward Hunter Ludlow, is not known. A calendar of the items in this subseries may be found in Appendix I.
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Sub-Series 3: Papers of James (II) Roosevelt
- Conrespondence, account books, diaries, passport, and printed material, 1842-1900, related to business and property matters, his attendance at Union College, and his position as President of the Champlain Transportation Company. Correspondence from his father Isaac (II) and other family members. The correspondence is unarranged.. Letters of James Roosevelt to his brother John may be found on microfilm in the Papers of John Aspinwall Roosevelt (subseries "Papers of John Aspinwall Roosevelt").
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Sub-Series 4: Papers of Rebecca Howland Roosevelt
- Diaries, with nearly daily entries, of Rebecca Howland Roosevelt, first wife of James (II) Roosevelt, May 17, 1865 to August 10, 1875. James and Rebecca often spent winters in New York, visiting Hyde Park only in the summertime. Events described include trips to Europe, 1865-1866 and 1869-1870, and the Roosevelt's move to "Springwood" in" Hyde Park in May, 1867. Five volumes with typescript copies.
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Sub-Series 5: Papers of Sara Delano Roosevelt
- Diaries; correspondence, including congratulatory letters concerning her son; guest books; address and telephone books; legal papers, including copies of family wills; her "Household" or recipe book; inventories of personal and household property; bank statements, cancelled checks and check stubs; certificates of membership; memorials to James and Sara D. Roosevelt; scrapbooks; newspaper clippings, including many concerning Mrs. Roosevelt's death; and other miscellaneous material, 1880-1941. Arranged according to type of material and thereunder chronologically. Other correspondence of Sara Delano Roosevelt may be found in the Delano Family Papers and in the collection of Roosevelt Family Papers held by the children of Franklin D. and Eleanor Roosevelt, both separate collections in the Library.
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Box 67
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Box 68
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Box 69
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Box 70
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Box 71
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Box 72
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Letters of Congratulation Received by Sara Delano Roosevelt Regarding FDR - Appointment as Assistant Secretary of the Navy, 1913
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Letters of Congratulation Received by Sara Delano Roosevelt Regarding FDR - Vice-Presidential Nomination, 1920
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Letters of Congratulation Received by Sara Delano Roosevelt Regarding FDR - Election as Governor of New York, 1928
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Letters of Congratulation Received by Sara Delano Roosevelt Regarding FDR - Election as President, 1932, 1936
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Box 73
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Letters and other items written by Sara Delano Roosevelt
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Tribute to Sara Delano Roosevelt on her 80th birthday from her five grandchildren, September 21,1934
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Tributes and memorials to Sara Delano Roosevelt, 1933-1935
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Poems by Archie Rogers, Typewritten
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Transcript of proceedings of birthday dinner for President Roosevelt, January 30, 1934
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Other memorabilia
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Box 74
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Box 75
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"Household" or Recipe Book
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Additional Items for "Household Book"
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Passport, 1937
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Christmas Lists
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Household Expenses, Pau, November 8, 1889
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Expenses of the Half-Moon, 1902-1916; the Cottage at Campobello, 1902-1913; and the building of the houses at 47 and 49 East 65th Street, New York, 1902-1916, 1902-1913
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Other Bound Volumes (Expense, Charities, Miscellaneous Lists)
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Box 76
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Birthday Book
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Autograph Book, 1869
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Volume of French phrases
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Election of Sara Delano Roosevelt as Honorary Member of the Home of the Daughters of Jacob, April 14, 1937
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Memorials to James Roosevelt, 1900
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Clippings re death of James Roosevelt, 1900
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Copy of Address by Franklin D. Roosevelt nominating Alfred E. Smith for the Presidency (autographed by FDR), June 27, 1828
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Box 77
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Box 78
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Box 79
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Box 80
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Box 81
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Box 82
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Box 83
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Box 84
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Box 92
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Box 96
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Box 97
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Box 99
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Box 100
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Box 101
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Box 105
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Box 106
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Box 107
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Box 108
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Box 109
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Box 110
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Box 111
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Box 112
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Sub-Series 6: Papers of the Delano Family
- A chronological file of miscellaneous Delano family papers, 1469-1932, including correspondence, legal and business papers, and printed material. Family papers, mainly correspondence, 1760-1864, from Fairhaven, Massachusetts, the home of Captain Warren Delano, Sara Delano Roosevelt's grandfather. Diaries and account books of Edward Delano, Sara's uncle, many of which reflect his shipping interests in China, the East Indies, and the Eastern Mediterranean, 1838-1882. Typescript copies of some of these diaries. All but the Fairhaven papers are arranged chronologically. Other Delano papers may be found in the subseries "Miscellaneous Papers of the Roosevelt and Delano Families" and in the Delano Family Papers and the Papers of Frederic A. Delano, separate collections in the Library.
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Browse by Series:
[Series 1: Papers Collected by Franklin D. Roosevelt],
[Series 2: Family Papers Received from Other Donors],
[All]