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Keeler family papers

 Collection — Multiple Containers
Identifier: MSS 2043

Scope and Contents

Contains transcripts of the books "Some Christensens Who Came from Thy" by Virginia C. Keeler and "Build Thee More Stately" by Daniel A. Keeler alongside historical documents pertaining to the creation of those books and to the history of the Keeler family ranging from letters, photographs, and documents from Brigham Young Academy and Brigham Young University. Also includes material pertaining to Joseph B. Keeler, grandfather of Ellen Keeler Thompson. Dated 1847-1990.

Dates

  • 1847-1990

Creator

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 the Keeler family papers must be obtained from the Supervisor of References Services and/or the L. Tom Perry Special Collections Coordinating Committee.

Biographical History

Daniel Mandeville Keeler (1900-1990) was a carpenter, builder, and genealogist in Utah.

Daniel Mandeville Keeler was born on October 28, 1900 in Provo, UT to parents Joseph Brigham and Virginia Christensen. He married Virginia Christensen in the Salt Lake Temple on January 3, 1923 and they had five children: Ellen, Jennie, Colleen, Daniel, and Philip. He was a carpenter and builder working for Liberty Fuel Co. in Latuda, Utah and Geneva Steel Co. in Provo, the latter for which he worked for until retiring in 1967. In his spare time, he worked with his wife in genealogical research, gathering material for both the Christensen and Keeler families until Virginia passed away in 1970. For the last two decades, Daniel continued to independently work on these documents and even published a biography on his parents in 1989. He passed away on July 17, 1990.

Biographical History

Virginia Christensen Keeler (1901-1970) was a genealogist, wife and mother in Utah.

Virginia Christensen Keeler was born to Albert H. Christensen and Jennie Snow in Sanpete, Utah on September 6, 1901. Virginia attended Brigham Young University from 1920 to 1921. In 1923, she married Daniel M. Keeler and together they raised five children: Ellen, Jennie, Colleen, Daniel, and Phillip. She spent much time working with her husband on the genealogies of the Christensen and Keeler families. Virginia passed away on May 14, 1970.

Biographical / Historical

Martha Alice Fairbanks Keeler (1860-1938) was a teacher, wife and mother in Utah. Martha Alice Fairbanks Keeler was born to Mormon pioneers David Fairbanks and Susan Mandeville in Payson, UT on June 29, 1860. After graduating, she began teaching in Payson. One of her students was Salt Lake Tabernacle organist John J. McClellan. She also headed the community's dramatic club. Before turning 23, she married Joseph B. Keeler in the Salt Lake Endowment house in May of 1883 while the two attended Brigham Young Academy. After their marriage, Martha and Joseph settled in Provo, where Martha served in various organizations in the city. While many of these organizations were based out of the Provo Stake (including serving as president of the 4th Ward's Y. L. M. I. A. and serving as the Stake's Relief Society President between 1906-1918), she also served in BYU Women's Organization - where she served as president between 1918-1919 and remained an honorary member until her death - and was a charter member of the Daughters of Utah Pioneers. While together, Martha and Joseph had 10 children of whom 8 of them (5 sons and 3 daughters) lived after her death. Three children stayed in Utah, and the others ended up in Texas, Arizona, California, and Canada. After Joseph passed away in 1935, Martha stayed with her daughter Beulah McAllister in Los Angeles, Calif., until her death on October 2, 1938.

Extent

8 cartons (8 linear ft.)

Language of Materials

English

Custodial History

Donated by Ellen Keeler Thompson in 1990 and 1996.

Donated by Daniel M. Keeler in 1989.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Donated; Ellen Keeler Thompson; 1990 and 1996.

Donated; Daniel M. and Virginia C. Keeler; 1989.

Appraisal

LDS, cultural, family, social, intellectual, and religious history (20th Century Western and Mormon Manuscripts collection development policy, 5.V.i)

Related collections

MSS 2016 (Daniel Mandeville Keeler Collection) and MSS 3091 (Joseph Brigham Keeler Collection) are related to this collection.

Processing Information

Processed; Eric Wolford, student manuscript processor, and John M. Murphy, curator; 2017.

  • Genealogical materials including family trees, group family history records, and note cards/obituaries from members of the Keeler family
Title
Register of Keeler family papers
Status
Completed
Author
Eric Wolford
Date
2017 May 2
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