Skip to main content

Sarah Locke Family Papers

 Collection
Identifier: MSS-2008-06-01

Scope and Content of Collection

The Sarah Locke Family Papers is a small collection documenting the life of California State Normal School, San Jose, graduate Sarah Locke (1879, 1880). The bulk of this collection was donated to San Jose State University Special Collections & Archives by the great grandson of Sarah Locke Smith, Locke Ettinger. The collection primarily documents Sarah Locke's experiences while attending California State Normal School, San Jose, and includes a few books, journals and notes (1876, 1879), a transcription of her diary recording a trip to Yosemite in June of 1879. In addition, there are a few original photographs and a collection of digital images that depict Sarah Locke's ancestors and descendents, and a family genealogy report (2004) that includes the pedigree chart for Sarah Locke and a list of her descendants.

In addition, the collection includes a few personal items collected by Shirley Orpha Smith, granddaughter of Sarah Locke Smith. Shirley Orpha Smith completed her B.A. in 1947 and in 1948 she received an Occupational Therapy Certificate from San Jose State College.

In addition to the donation by Locke Ettinger, the collection also includes a black silk dress that belonged to Sarah Locke and small a box of memorabilia. Midlred Smith, Sarah Locke's daughter donated these materials to the San Jose State University Library in the 1969.

Dates

  • Creation: 1865-2004 (bulk 1879-1948)

Creator

Access

The collection is open for research.

Photographs from this collection are available on the SJSU Special Collections website: http://digitalcollections.sjlibrary.org/cdm/landingpage/collection/sjsuloc

Publication Rights

Copyright is assigned to the San José State University Library Special Collections & Archives. All requests for permission to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the Director of Special Collections. Permission for publication is given on behalf of the Special Collections & Archives as the owner of the physical items and is not intended to include or imply permission of the copyright holder, which must also be obtained by the reader. Copyright restrictions also apply to digital reproductions of the original materials. Use of digital files is restricted to research and educational purposes.

Biographical History

Sarah Locke Smith was born Sarah Anne Jane Locke on August 5th, 1860, in Lockeford, California (San Joaquin County). Her parents were George Shepley Locke and Susan Lucretia Hammond. Sarah attended the California State Normal School in San Jose, where she received an elementary education degree in 1879, and May of 1880 she received a secondary education degree, graduating in twenty-first class. During her time at the Normal School, Sarah's interests included botany and poetry. Between the years 1880-1882, Sarah taught in Humboldt County. On December 25, 1882, she married William Thomas Smith, and later the couple moved to Ferndale, California. They had six children, three boys and three girls: Elmer William Smith, 1883; Harry James Smith, 1885; Warren Locke Smith, 1886; Ethel Smith, 1888; Mildred Smith 1891; and Gertrude Smith, 1898. Sarah Locke died on June 19th, 1939 in Ferndale, California.

Shirley Orpha Smith, daughter of Warren Locke Smith, was born December 31, 1924. She completed her B.A. in 1947 and received her Occupational Therapy Certificate from San Jose State College in 1948.

Extent

4 boxes (6.17 linear feet)

Language of Materials

English

Abstract

This collection is comprised of a few personal items belonging to Sarah Locke and various members of her family. The materials document Locke's time at California State Normal School and include items such as books, journals and a diary. Also included in the collection are materials related to Locke's granddaughter, Shirley, who was a graduate of San Jose State College in 1948.

Arrangement

This collection is arranged into three series: Series I: Family Papers and Photographs, 1845-2006; Series II: Sarah Locke Memorabilia, 1880-1969; Series III: Silk Dress, circa 1880.

Project Information

This finding aid was created as part of the Survey and Cataloging Project, a two-year San Jose State University Library grant project funded by the National Historical Publications and Records Commission. The project began in 2008.The Project Director is Danelle Moon. The Project Archivist is Erin Louthen.

Related Material

San Jose State Normal School Principals and Early Presidents Records, MSS-2009-02-01, San Jose State University Library Special Collections & Archives.

Processing Information

Collection processed by Danelle Moon and Silke Higgins. Finding aid EAD encoded by Silke Higgins and Rosalinda Gonzales. Reviewed by Danelle Moon and Erin Louthen.

Title
Guide to the Sarah Locke Family Papers
Status
Completed
Date
© 2010
Description rules
Finding Aid Prepared Using Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
Undetermined
Script of description
Code for undetermined script
Language of description note
English
Sponsor
Finding aid funded by the generous support of the National Historical Publications and Records Commission (NHPRC).

Repository Details

Part of the SJSU Special Collections & Archives Repository

Contact:
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Library
San José State University
One Washington Square
San José, CA 95192-0028
(408) 808-2062
(408) 808-2063 (Fax)