Biography of Jean Elizabeth Fossum May
Scope and Contents
Compiled by James A. May about his mother, Jean Fossum May, drawing heavily on her letters, journals, and notes. Gives detailed information about her life in Baker, Oregon, 1906-1959; service as a missionary in the California Mission of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1927-1928; marriage to Andrew May, 1930; family life (as a widow after 1933); service as head resident of Stover Hall (men's housing) on the campus of Brigham Young University, 1959-1969; and efforts to restore a small home that she purchased in Manti, Utah, during the 1960s. During her LDS mission she served in Los Angeles, Santa Ana, and in other places. She also traveled extensively throughout the mission. The history includes correspondence, journal entries, and tributes written by Jean May's relatives and acquaintances. Pages 300-302 contain information about the "Dancing Grandmas," a group of campus women who performed in a dance festival at BYU in December 1961.
Dates
- 1990-1998
Creator
- May, James A. (James Andrew), 1931- (Person)
Language of Materials
Materials are in English.
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 Biography of Jean Elizabeth Fossum May must be obtained from the Supervisor of Reference Services and/or the L. Tom Perry Special Collections Board of Curators.
Extent
4 folders (401 leaves) : typescript ; 28 cm.
Custodial History
Brian Reeves, University Archivist, wrote a letter to James May on 12 June 1998, requesting information about Jean Fossum May. Jim responded on 17 June 1998 via e-mail, and sent the biography as an attachment.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Donated; James Andrew May; 1998.
Appraisal
LDS, Utah, and Western American women (20th Century Western & Mormon Manuscripts collection development policy, 5.V, 2007).
- Autobiographies
- Baker City (Or.)
- Biography -- 20th century
- Brigham Young University -- Employees
- Brigham Young University -- Student housing
- Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints
- Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints -- Missions--California
- Dance for older people -- United States
- Diaries
- Latter Day Saint missionaries -- California
- Latter Day Saint women
- Letters
- Los Angeles (Calif.)
- Manti (Utah)
- May, Andrew
- May, Jean Fossum
- Santa Ana (Calif.)
- Title
- Register of Biography of Jean Elizabeth Fossum May
- Author
- Andrea Wyss
- Date
- 2011 March 16
- Description rules
- Appm
- 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
1130 HBLL
Brigham Young University
Provo Utah 84602 United States