Collection Overview
Ray family
Ray Family Papers
1898-1953
1911-1944
MS 432
2 boxes
(1 linear ft.)
Special Collections and University Archives, W.E.B. Du Bois Library, University of Massachusetts Amherst
Herman Edgar Ray, son of Fred Jackson Ray and Mabel Cosella Merriam Ray, was born in Westminster, Massachusetts on May 28, 1911. The collection consists primarily of family photographs spanning three identifiable generations of the Ray family, and contains photograph albums, formal portraits, and miscellaneous photographs.
English.
Biographical Note
Herman Edgar Ray, son of Fred Jackson Ray and Mabel Cosella Merriam Ray, was born in Westminster, Massachusetts on May 28, 1911. Herman Edgar married Anita Crabtree on May 4, 1934 in Gardner, Massachusetts. The family remained in the area throughout the 1950s as indicated by their correspondence.
Scope and Contents of the Collection
The collection consists primarily of family photographs spanning three identifiable generations of the Ray family, and contains photograph albums, formal portraits, and miscellaneous photographs. Additional material includes postcards, correspondence, and hand-made greeting cards. The materials document the childhood of Herman Edgar Ray. His extended family includes: Mr. and Mrs. Edwin Ray, Mr. and Mrs. Hiram Ray, Ray Fenno, Mary Emergene Fenno, Mr.and Mrs. Charles A. Smith, Mr. and Mrs. Charles Davis, Helen Gates, Mary Russell, and Eleanor Howe.
The collection is open for research.
Preferred Citation
Cite as: Ray Family Papers (MS 432). Special Collections and University Archives, W.E.B. Du Bois Library, University of Massachusetts Amherst.
Acquired from Peter Masi, April 2005.
Processed by Meghan L. Fahey, May 2005.
Search Terms
Ray, Herman Edgar.
Family--Massachusetts.
Camping--Massachusetts.
Massachusetts--Description and travel.
Portraits--History--20th century.
Westwinster (Mass.)
Photograph Albums--Massachusetts.
Photographs--Massachusetts.
Related Material
For materials related to early 20th century local history of Western Massachusetts, see:
Marcia Grover Church Bates Family Papers, MS 424
For photographs documenting family life in the 1900s, see:
Miller Family Photographs, MS 119
1
1
Correspondence: postcards, booklet with signatures
1898-1953
1
2
Correspondence: creative writing
1898-1951
1
3
Correspondence: greeting cards received by Ray family
undated
1
4
Greeting cards, hand-made by Vera Freeman and Marion Ray
1937-1944
1
5
Hand-made prints by Eleanor Howe, Marion Ray, and prints by unidentified artists
undated
1
6
Photograph album: baby record of Herman Edgar Ray with photographs from early childhood to early adulthood, some maternal and paternal genealogical information
undated
1
7
Photograph: Herman Edgar Ray at 11 1/2 months and as a boy
ca. 1911
1
8
Photographs: Katherine Luilla Ray (infant and adult), David Allen, Donald Earl Ray (infant) and birth announcement cards
1912, undated
1
9
Photograph album: houses, landscapes, group photographs including Herman Edgar Ray, Mabel Ray and Fred Ray
1935-1953
1
10
Photograph album: camping trip, landscapes, lake, group portraits including Herman Edgar Ray, Fred Ray, Mabel Ray, and Hiram Ray
undated
1
11
Photograph album: parade, architecture, group portraits, wedding, Fred Ray, Esther Ware, and Herman Edgar Ray
undated
2
1
Photographs: Mr. and Mrs. Hiram Ray
undated
2
2
Photographs: Ray Nichols Fenno and Mary Emergene Fenno (infant and youth)
undated
2
3
Photograph: Ray Nichols Fenno (adult)
1928-1936
2
4
Photographs and newspaper clipping: Viola Faith Raymo and Neil Andrew Raymo
1945
2
5
Photograph and card: Gertrude Caswell at 80th birthday party, card includes list of attendees
undated
2
6
Photographs: Glinda L. Woods (infant and toddler)
1948
2
7
Photographs: Eleanor T. Howe
undated
2
8
Photograph: Marion Ray
1937 and 1942
2
9
Photographs: Mr. and Mrs. Charles Davis
1923
2
10
Photographs: Mr. and Mrs. Edwin Ray, Mr. and Mrs. Hiram Ray, Mrs. Helen Gates, Mabel Ray and Mr. and Mrs. Charles A. Smith
undated
2
11
Photographs: unidentified
undated
2
12
Photographs: unidentified
1939, undated
2
13
Photographs: unidentified
1940, undated
2
14
Photographs: unidentified
undated
2
15
Photographs: unidentified
undated
2
16
Photographs: unidentified
undated
2
17
Photographs: Pittsford Pond, New York
undated