Willis Family Photography Collection
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No requestable containers
Scope and Contents
The Willis Family Photography Collection is a genealogical compilation of ambrotypes, tintypes, Daguerreotypes, photographs, family papers, clippings, and correspondence. These three series, family photographs, family papers, and correspondence, highlight family members during momentous times in their lives – weddings, graduations, and family celebrations. The materials in the Correspondence series also underlines a significant time for John Todd Willis as they focus on his courtship with Hester M. Beck and his time during WWII. This collection is a photo-essay; a family tree which features the Willis and Beck families as well as their relatives. In addition to this there are letters and photographs of families and individuals from Waco and other cities across Texas. Several are taken in and around Camp MacArthur in McLennan County during WWI. Some of the letters are addressed to Dr. Todd Bradford Willis, thanking him for the donations of his book that collects some of the history and genealogy of Waco.
Dates
- Creation: 1785-2020
- Creation: Majority of material found in 1880-1955
- Acquisition: Date acquired: 10/00/2013
Creator
- Willis, Bradford (Person)
Conditions Governing Access
Series 8 and Series 13 contain materials that are restricted until the donor's passing.
Conditions Governing Use
Reproduction and publication of materials in this collection are subject to the policies of the UNT Special Collections department. Copyright restrictions may apply.
Biographical or Historical Information
Todd Bradford Willis has spent the last several decades collecting photographs and correspondence from his own family's history, as well as other historical photographs and letters, while researching his genealogy and the history of Waco and McLennan County in Texas. From this research he produced a short text titled Some Notable Persons in First Street Cemetery of Waco, Texas that includes locations of graves, dates of life, and short bios of each person. Many of the materials in his more recent accretions were found at estate sales in the McLennan County area.
Note written by
Extent
53.00 boxes
Language of Materials
English
Abstract
A collection of historic photographs and correspondence.
Arrangement Note
Family photographs are arranged in original numerical order. An inventory of the photographs is included with the items. Correspondence is arranged chronologically. Accretions are arranged numerically, with the exception of the flat storage, oversize, and unnumbered materials.
Physical Access Requirements
Portions of this collection are stored off-site and require a minimum of 24 hours notice prior to use.
Source of Acquisition
Willis, T. Bradford
Method of Acquisition
Gift
Accruals and Additions
2013-47, 2014-65, 2014-84, 2015-007, 2015-042, 2016-015, 2017-014, 2018-061, 2019-012, 2021-112
Separated Materials
Two books, Last Raid of the Daltons by David Stewart Elliot and a facsimile of Crockett's 1850 Almanac, were moved to Rare Books.
- Title
- Willis Family Photography Collection
- Author
- E. Aparicio, A. Montgomery, Kendall Martin
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
Repository Details
Part of the University of North Texas Special Collections Repository
University of North Texas, Willis Library
1155 Union Circle # 305190
Denton TX 76203 US