Alvin Fielding and Amelia Atkins Smith letters
Scope and Contents
Contains letters and postcards between the Alvin and Amelia Smith, including correspondence from their courtship and during his missionary service in England. The letters discuss routine aspects of missionary work, such as finances and accommodations, investigators, companions and conferences, local attitudes, and events. Also includes descriptions of life in the Smith family, such as births and deaths, weddings, financial circumstances, and events of daily life. Accompanying the letters are any original enclosures, including religious and legal documents, souvenirs, clippings, photographs, pressed flowers, locks of hair, and other memorabilia. Dated November 17, 1902 - April 19, 1907.
Dates
- 1902-1907
Creator
- Smith, Alvin Fielding, 1874-1948 (creator, Person)
- Smith, Amelia Atkins, 1875-1960 (creator, Person)
Conditions Governing Access
Condition restricted; permission to use original materials must be obtained from the Supervisor of Reference Services. Patrons should use photocopies or typescripts.
Conditions Governing Use
It is the responsibility of the researcher to obtain any necessary copyright clearances. Permission to publish material from the Alvin Fielding and Amelia Atkins Smith letters must be obtained from the Supervisor of Reference Services and/or the L. Tom Perry Special Collections Board of Curators.
Biographical History
Amelia Atkins Smith (1875-1960) was the wife of Alvin Fielding Smith.
Amelia "Millie" Atkins was born January 10, 1875 in Salt Lake City, Utah to Edward Atkins and Mary Ann Neal. She married Alvin Fielding Smith in Salt Lake City on June 30, 1903, and the couple raised five children. She died June 7, 1960 in Salt Lake City.
Biographical History
Alvin Fielding Smith (1874-1948) was a Latter-day Saint librarian in Salt Lake City, Utah.
Alvin Fielding Smith was born to Joseph F. Smith and Edna Lambson of Salt Lake City, Utah, on July 19, 1874, the second of ten children. He was educated at various Salt Lake City schools, Salt Lake High School, and LDS College. He married Amelia Atkins in the Salt Lake Temple on June 30, 1903, and the couple had five children.
In 1905 Smith was called to serve a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to England. He served mostly in the London area. While a missionary, he accompanied his father, Joseph F. Smith, on a tour of Europe in 1906, traveling to Germany, Switzerland, Holland, and France. After completing his mission in 1907, he worked for the Consolidated Wagon & Machine Company and later as librarian for the Church Historian's Office in Salt Lake City. He also served as an ordinance worker in the Salt Lake Temple for many years, and was active in his ward. Smith died on January 4, 1948 in Salt Lake City, Utah.
Extent
9 boxes (4.5 linear ft.)
Language of Materials
English
Arrangement
Arranged in three series: 1. Alvin Fielding Smith letters, 1902-1907. 2. Amelia Atkins Smith letters, 1905-1907. 3. Transcripts and photocopies of the Alvin Fielding and Amelia Atkins Smith letters, 1902-1907.
Custodial History
The letters were donated by Sydney Reynolds in 2011.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Donated; Sydney Reynolds; September 2011.
Appraisal
Utah and Western American and LDS cultural, family, social, itellectual, and religious history (19th Century Western and Mormon Manuscripts collection development policy IV.a.i.1 and 4, November 2013)
Processing Information
Processed; David Whittaker, Curator, and Amanda C. Crandall, Manuscripts Specialist; 2012.
Processed; Sarah Anne Flinders, Intern; 2016.
- Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints -- Missions -- England
- Clippings (Books, newspapers, etc.)
- Immigration and American Expansion
- Latter Day Saint churches -- Missions -- England
- Latter Day Saint missionaries -- England -- Correspondence
- Latter Day Saint missionaries -- England -- Photographs
- Letters
- Pamphlets
- Photocopies
- Photographs
- Postcards
- Smith family
- Transcripts
- Title
- Register of Alvin Fielding and Amelia Atkins Smith letters
- Status
- Under Revision
- Author
- Amanda C. Crandall, Manuscripts Specialist
- Date
- 2012 March
- 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
1130 HBLL
Brigham Young University
Provo Utah 84602 United States