Scope and Contents: The Bertha Glidden Bradt Collection contains textual and pictorial records relating to Bradt family genealogy and history dating 1830-1954, the Glidden family manuscripts, and materials from S.E. Bradt’s role in the development of Illinois highways. More than 1,000 volumes are included with the collection and are located in the reading room. A complete listing of the volumes can be found in the Shelflist.
The Bradt family records contain personal items belonging to Mrs. S.E. Bradt and the correspondence and notes documenting her genealogical research project. Included among these materials are research correspondences, research notes and materials tracing specific family names such as the Dunmore, Frazier, Ling, and Luckhurst lines as well as the Dutch lines and a small group of related families from Cumberland County, New Jersey. Also included in the collection are book catalogs and printed genealogical materials, two guest books from Mrs. S.E. Bradt’s birthday celebrations, and European heraldry prints and oversized prints and black and white photographs.
Contained in the Glidden family manuscripts is correspondence from various members of the Glidden family, approximately two hundred poems written by J.W. Glidden, and Carlos Glidden’s 1892 typewriter patent. In addition, the collection contains five journals of poetry and daily entries by J.W. Glidden, a scrapbook of his published poems, and the original plate of his well known portrait. The collection also holds 183 photographs, 3 tintypes, 1 glass plate negatives, and a negative plate of the Bradt and Glidden families.
The collection also holds 3 scrapbooks, 3 folders, and 1 photo album of records documenting S.E. Bradt’s affiliation with various business associations and his participation in the Good Roads Movement in Illinois. A copy of the original legal agreement forming the Bradt-Shipman business partnership is also contained in this series.
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