Dudley Family: Scope and Content
The Dudley Family Collection was donated to the Coles County Historical Society in 1988. The collection represents the Dudley family history, ranging from the late-nineteenth to the late-twentieth centuries. The Dudley Family Collection consists of the family’s personal and business records, belongings, memoirs, and photographs. Personal memorabilia, correspondence, tax and bank records, photographs, business documents, ledgers, and genealogical records comprise the core of the archival collection. In addition, books, magazines, newspapers, journals, certificates, speeches, and papers illustrate the community affiliations and interests of various family members are included.
This collection illustrates the history of Charleston during the represented time period. It also gives insight on the daily life of American family traditions, dealing with death, making a living, and celebrating special occasions. At another level, the Dudley family’s history tells of strategies in facing national issues, such as World War I, the Great Depression, and the activities of the AFL-CIO.
The attached finding aid will provide accessibility to this collection and act as an educational reference for patrons of the historical society, Eastern Illinois University students, and the community of Charleston.
