MS 1158 - Geraldine Thomasson Papers

Title	MS 1158 - Geraldine Thomasson Papers
Introduction	The Geraldine Thomasson Papers consists of genealogical research files, newspaper clippings, legal documents, and photographs relating to various branches of Geraldine Thomasson’s family. This collection was donated to the Center for Archival Collections by the Wood County Chapter of the Ohio Genealogical Society on November 29, 2010. No restrictions exist on the use of this collection. Duplication may be permitted for the purposes of preservation and research. The register was completed by undergraduate student assistant Emily Schoenlein in June 2012, with revisions by Marilyn Levinson, Curator of Manuscripts.
Biographical Sketch	The materials contained in this collection were compiled by Geraldine Emma (Cox) Thomasson (1922-2011). Geraldine, known as Geri, was born on July 23, 1922 in Bradner, Ohio. She was the daughter of L.Z. Cox and Laura Bell (Fox). She had six brothers and one sister: LeRoy, Paul, Richard, Clarence, Carl, Ralph, and Doris (Steinmetz). Geri attended Risingsun High School and graduated in 1940. After graduating, she worked at H.J. Heinz Co. in Bowling Green, Ohio where she packed K-Rations during World War II. She went on to work for Autolite, White Front Supermarket, and Ex-Cello until she retired in 1987. She also owned and operated Geri's Cake Shop for 20 years. She was a member of Wesley United Methodist Church and was a former Sunday school teacher and member of the XYZ Group at the Church. Geri had four daughters and one son: Susan, Billie Jean, Becky, Evie, and Thomas. She also had thirteen grandchildren and fourteen great-grandchildren. She died on February 12, 2011 in Fostoria, Ohio.
Scope and Content	The Geraldine Thomasson Papers consists of research material compiled by Geraldine Thomasson related to the history of her family. Represented families include: Baker, Barr, Conry, Cox, Dawson, Deck, Foster, Fox, Gorrill, Hummon, Jones, Morey, Root, Ross, Scoville, Steinmetz, Upton, Ward, Warner, and Wickham families. Included in the collection are correspondences, family subject files, research notes, reminisces and diaries, legal documents, newspaper clippings, maps, certificates, booklets and other printed material, and photographs. The family subject files, copies of legal documents and photographs make up a majority of the collection. The subject files contain a great deal of information about various members of the family and include detailed pedigree charts. The legal documents include a variety of information such as deeds, birth certificates, death records, and marriage certificates. Also included is the complete last will of Doris Steinmetz, Geraldine’s sister, and related information and documents. The photographs contain pictures of many generations of the family as well as family reunions and events.
Series Description	CORRESPONDENCE CORRESPONDENCE – FOX AND JONES FAMILIES 1896 Arranged chronologically A series of letters between members of the Fox and Jones families. CORRESPONDENCE – MISCELLANEOUS 1911, 1985 Arranged chronologically Correspondence between various members of the family. SUBJECT FILES FAMILY SUBJECT FILES Arranged alphabetically Family subject files containing genealogical information about the Baker, Barr, Conry, Cox, Dawson, Deck, Foster, Fox, Gorrill, Hummon, Jones, Morey, Root, Ross, Scoville, Steinmetz, Upton, Ward, Warner, and Wickham families. LITERARY PRODUCTIONS RESEARCH NOTES A notebook of Fox family genealogy containing ancestral information, birthdays, death dates, marriages, and children for members of the Fox family dating back to the 1500s. REMINISCES Handwritten reminisces of "My first memories," author unknown, as well as a "Schoolday memories" notebook belonging to Geraldine Thomasson. MEMOIRS AND DIARIES A notebook with diary entries, to-do lists, etc. and an address book, author unknown for both. LEGAL DOCUMENTS LEGAL DOCUMENTS Various legal documents regarding the Cox family, including court material and a sales contract for a headstone. DEEDS Various deeds including real estate deeds and John Foster’s farm deed. BIRTH CERTIFICATES/DEATH RECORDS Birth certificates and death records of various members of the family. MARRIAGE/DIVORCE CERTIFICATES Marriage and divorce certificates of various members of the family. WILLS Includes the last will and testament of Doris Steinmetz and related documents. SCRAPBOOKS AND SCRAPBOOK MATERIAL NEWSCLIPPINGS Newspaper clippings including birth and marriage announcements, obituaries, and other information regarding various members of the family. MAPS, CHARTS, DIAGRAMS, GRAPHS, LISTS, ETC. MAPS Maps of cemeteries in Toledo connected to the family including Forest Cemetery, Toledo Memorial Park, and Woodlawn Cemetery. PRINTED MATERIAL BOOKS Copies of excerpts from the Foster-Fox family book, and Etiquette for Little Folks book. CERTIFICATES Grade cards, school certificates, and miscellaneous certificates given to or pertaining to various members of the family. PRINTED MATERIAL Various graduation invitations, funeral cards, memorial programs, birth announcements, and wedding invitations and material. BOOKLETS Booklets regarding the DeVilbiss Company, the Medina Baptist Church, the Lucy Wolcott Barnum Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution, the Methodist Church in Fostoria, Ohio and a consecration service at Wesley Methodist Church. PHOTOGRAPHIC MATERIAL PHOTOGRAPHS Photographs of various members of the family including the Cox brothers, a Hummon funeral, and several family reunions.
Inventory	Box 1 Folders Correspondence – Fox and Jones families Correspondence – misc. Baker family Barr family Conry family Conry family Conry family Conry family Conry/Ward family – including maps Cox family Cox family Cox family Cox family Cox family Cox family Cox family Cox family Cox family Cox family Cox family Cox family Cox/Foster family Cox/Root family Cox/Scoville family Box 2 Folder Foster family Foster family Foster family Foster family Foster family Fox family Fox family Gorrill family Hummon/Deck family Jones family Jones family Morey/Dawson family Root family Root family Root family Root/Hummon/Deck family Ross/Upton family Scoville family Scoville family Scoville family Scoville family Scoville family Scoville family Scoville/Root family Box 3 Folders Steinmetz family Ward family Ward family Warner family Wickham family Wickham family Wickham family Fox family genealogy – research notebook Family reminisces – “My first memories” “Schoolday Memories” notebook – Geraldine Unknown notebook/journal Unknown address book Box 4 Folders Cox legal documents Farm deed – John Foster Deeds Birth/death records Birth/death records Birth/marriage/divorce records and will Birth/marriage/death records/certificates Birth/marriage/death records/certificates Marriage/death records/certificates Marriage records/certificates Death records Marriage certificate Box 5 Folders Newspaper clippings Newspaper clippings Newspaper clippings – Will Carleton Newspaper clippings – Doris Steinmetz Newspaper clippings – obituaries Newspaper clippings – obituaries Maps – cemeteries Excerpts from Foster-Fox book Book – Etiquette for Little Folks Grade cards and certificates Certificates Wedding material/invitations Wedding material/invitations Wedding material/invitations Funeral cards Booklets – DeVilbiss Company history, Lucy Wolcott Barnum Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution Booklets – An Historical Sketch of Medina Baptist Church, History of the Methodist Church in Fostoria, Ohio, Consecration Service (Wesley Methodist Church, 12/7/1980 Box 6 Folders Photograph – Cox brothers Photographs – Cox family Photographs – Foster family Photographs – Fox family Photographs – Hummon funeral, 10/24/1985 Photographs – Steinmetz family Photographs – headstones Photographs – misc. Photographs – misc. Photographs – misc. Photographs – misc. Photographs – misc. Photographs – misc. Photographs – misc. Photographs – misc. Photographs – misc. Photograph – Cox family reunion, 1927 Oversized 6 Photographs