[Thanks to Alison Harris, Roosevelt Project Cataloger/Metadata Specialist, for contributing this post]
As part of a collaborative project with Dickinson State University in North Dakota, material from the Theodore Roosevelt Collection is currently being digitized and linked to online finding aids. Particularly interesting is the correspondence between Theodore Roosevelt and his family, as it provides a rich and detailed glimpse into their family life. Here are just a few samples of the many letters being digitized.
Roosevelt writes to his mother-in-law, Gertrude Elizabeth (Tyler) Carow, informing her of the unexpectedly quick birth of his son, Kermit.
http://nrs.harvard.edu/urn-3:FHCL.HOUGH:4678669
Roosevelt writes to his sister-in-law, Emily Carow, about his wife Edith’s birthday and the activities of the children, including a camping trip where he fries beefsteak and potatoes in bacon fat, over a fire.
http://nrs.harvard.edu/urn-3:FHCL.HOUGH:4678668
Roosevelt often included drawings with his letters particularly when writing to his family. The following was sent to his sick nephew, whom he refers to as “Blessed Little Sheffield”, and includes a letter composed of pictures detailing a typical day for the Roosevelt family.
http://nrs.harvard.edu/urn-3:FHCL.HOUGH:4630937
Roosevelt sends a postcard to his daughter, Ethel (Roosevelt) Derby, from Gibraltar.
http://nrs.harvard.edu/urn-3:FHCL.HOUGH:4630976
For more digital links in this specific collection of Theodore Roosevelt’s correspondence go directly to the finding aid. Over the coming weeks many other digital images will be available for items in the Theodore Roosevelt Collection.