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LDS French Mission : 1946-1950 / by Winnifred Bowers and Norma Gibbs Olsen

 Collection — Multiple Containers
Identifier: MSS 8336

Scope and Contents

Contains photocopies of materials concerning the everyday functioning of the French Mission from 1946 to 1950, under the presidency of James L. Barker. Includes office, meeting, and schedule notes, photographs of missionaries, maps, and personal photographs from missionaries who served in France during that time. Also, there is a Christmas letter from 2004 added to the collection. Dated 1946-2004.

Dates

  • 1946-2004

Creator

Language of Materials

Materials are in English and French.

Conditions Governing Access

Open for public research.

Conditions Governing Use

It is the responsibility of the researcher to obtain any necessary copyright clearances. Permission to publish material from LDS French Mission : 1946-1950 / by Winnifred Bowers and Norma Gibbs Olsen must be obtained from the Supervisor of Reference Services and/or the L. Tom Perry Special Collections Board of Curators.

Biographical History

Norma Gibbs Olsen wrote biographies of her ancestors.

Florence Norma Gibbs Olsen was born to parents Charles Worthen and Florence Emma Ashton Gibbs. Norma served as a Mormon missionary to France in 1948. After their missions, Norma married fellow French missionary, Barton C. Olsen. She co-wrote a biography about her grandparents, Jedediah William and Mary Eliza Salisbury Ashton. She also co-wrote a history of the French Mission 1946-1950.

Biographical History

Winnifred Bowers (1922-1999) served as a Mormon missionary in France in 1947, where she was secretary to President James Barker, and travelled with him and Ezra T. Benson through war-torn Europe.

Winnifred (Winnie) Bowers was born in Salt Lake City, April 21, 1922, to Winifred Sanders and Frank B. Bowers. She earned a BA in theater and drama an MA in English at the University of Utah, was director of costuming there and Brigham Young University, where she also taught. She served an LDS mission in France in 1947 where she was secretary to Pres. James Barker and traveled with him and Ezra T. Benson through war-torn Europe. The missionaries she served with became an integral part of her life.She was on the Young Women's Mutual Improvement Association (YWMIA) general board as a chairman of drama. She attended Barnard College in NYC where she lived most of her life. She was president of the YWMIA of New York Stake, was named to the executive committee that sponsored a Carnegie Hall concert of the Utah Symphony, was associate editor of The Law Practice of Alexander Hamilton, a three volume work. She established the first copy centers in New York City known as the Hamilton Copy Centers, and hired many local Salt Lake City youth who went to the Big Apple to try their wings. She graciously hosted and enjoyed many friends and relatives as they visited NY. Her rare talent for producing and presenting made her in great demand. Wynne was one of the members of a small select committee, chaired by Gordon B. Hinckley that helped produce the first film to be used in the temples of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Extent

2 folders (0.3 linear ft.)

Custodial History

Purchased by John M Murphy in 2013.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Purchased; John M. Murphy; 2013.

Appraisal

Utah and the American West and LDS cultural, social, and religious history (20th century Western & Mormon Manuscripts collection development policy, 5.VII, 2007).

General

Located in box 598

Processing Information

Processed; Margaret Weddle, student manuscript processor; 2013.

Title
Register of LDS French Mission : 1946-1950 / by Winnifred Bowers and Norma Gibbs Olsen
Status
Completed
Author
Margaret Weddle
Date
2013 December 18
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin
Language of description note
Finding aid written in English in Latin script.

Repository Details

Part of the L. Tom Perry Special Collections Repository

Contact:
1130 HBLL
Brigham Young University
Provo Utah 84602 United States