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Lafayette Hinckley and Alsina Elisabeth Holbrook letters

 Collection — Box: 1
Identifier: MSS 3689

Scope and Contents note

Collection contains the original letters and the typed transcripts of letters sent between Lafayette Hinckley Holbrook and Alsina Elisabeth Brimhall Holbrook from 1897 to 1966. Lafayette Hinckley Holbrook's letters to Alsina document his experiences as a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in New Zealand (1897–1900). Alsina Elisabeth Brimhall Holbrook's letters to Lafayette chronicle local community life, her career as a teacher, and interactions with family, friends, and neighbors. Correspondence from 1900 to 1901 documents travel experiences in Europe and chronicle the young couple's ongoing courtship. One additional letter, dated November 15, 1913, was written by Lafayette to his wife Alsina while on a business trip to Los Angeles, California. Also includes a few newspaper clippings.

Dates

  • 1897-1966

Creator

Conditions Governing Access note

Open for public research.

Conditions Governing Use note

It is the responsibility of the researcher to obtain any necessary copyright clearances.

Permission to publish material from the Lafayette Hinckley and Alsina Elisabeth Holbrook letters must be obtained from the Supervisor of Reference Services and/or the Special Collections Board of Curators.

Biographical History

Lafayette Hinckley Holbrook (1877-1969) was a farner, rancher, and businessman in Utah. He served a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to New Zealand.

Lafayette (Fay) Hinckley Holbrook was born July 15, 1877, in Fillmore, Utah, to Lafayette Holbrook and Emily Angelena Hinckley Holbrook. As a child he attended the Millard Stake Academy (Fillmore, Utah). Following his family's move to Provo, Utah, he enrolled in the Brigham Young Academy where he met his future wife, Alsina Elisabeth Brimhall. From 1897 to 1900, he served a mission to New Zealand for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. At the conclusion of his mission he traveled with his mission president (Ezra Stevenson) to Europe. He and his traveling companion met Alsina and his sister Clara in London, England, and together, the group returned to the United States. Lafayette and Alsina were married on May 15, 1901 in the Salt Lake City Temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Following their marriage, the couple lived in Raymond, Alberta, Canada, and in Provo, Utah. In 1941, Lafayette and Alsina moved to Salt Lake City, Utah. Over the course of his life, Lafayette worked in a variety of professions including ranching, farming, and business. He and his wife had eleven children and for most of their married life lived in Provo, Utah. Lafayette died August 9, 1969, in Salt Lake City, Utah. He was buried in Provo, Utah.

Biographical History

Alsina Elisabeth Holbrook (1876-1990) was a teacher and mother of eleven children.

Alsina (Sina) Elisabeth Brimhall Holbrook was born December 16, 1876 in Spanish Fork, Utah, to George Henry Brimhall and Alsina Elizabeth Wilkins. She was raised in Provo, Utah, where her father taught at the Brigham Young Academy. George Brimhall later served as President of the Brigham Young Academy. Following her graduation she taught grade school for three years in Springville, Utah, and Spanish Fork, Utah. In 1900, she traveled to Europe where, together with Lafayette Hinckley Holbrook, Lafayette's sister Clara, and Lafayette's mission president Ezra Stevenson, she toured Europe. She and Lafayette were married on May 15, 1901 in the Salt Lake City Temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. With the exception of a brief move to Canada, she spent most of her married life in Provo, Utah, where she and her husband raised eleven children: Raymond Holbrook, Rachel Holbrook Anderson, Jennie Holbrook Groberg, Mary Holbrook Maxwell, Ruth Holbrook Brown, Elizabeth Holbrook Berry, Helen Holbrook Dahlquist, Vera Holbrook Heninger, Alsina Holbrook Haymore, Jean Holbrook, and George Holbrook. Alsina died July 19, 1960, in Salt Lake City, Utah. She was buried in Provo, Utah.

Extent

1 box (0.5 linear ft.)

Language of Materials

English

Abstract

The letters of Lafayette Hinckley Holbrook and Alsina Elisabeth Brimhall Holbrook contain letters dated 1897–1913 (bulk: 1897–1901).

Arrangement note

Materials are left in original order.

Other Finding Aids note

A more detailed finding aid is available in print in the repository.

Other Finding Aids

File-level inventory available online. http://files.lib.byu.edu/ead/XML/MSS3689.xml

Custodial History note

Donation by the D.V. Groberg and Jennie H. Groberg Family Trust in 2006 and 2011.

Immediate Source of Acquisition note

Donated; D.V. Groberg and Jennie H. Groberg Family Trust; 2006, 2011.

Appraisal note

19th Century Western and Mormon Manuscripts.

Processing Information note

Processed; John M. Murphy; October 2006.

Title
Register of the Lafayette Hinckley and Alsina Elizabeth Holbrook letters
Status
Completed
Author
John M. Murphy, curator, and Elizabeth Ballif, student processor
Date
2006 October
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.
Sponsor
Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) grant, 2007-2008

Repository Details

Part of the L. Tom Perry Special Collections Repository

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