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Finding Aids to Oral Histories in the Smithsonian Institution Archives

Record Unit 9571

Edson, Dorothy Graham, interviewee

Dorothy Graham Edson Oral History Interviews, 1993

Repository:Smithsonian Institution Archives, Washington, D.C. Contact us at osiaref@si.edu.
Creator:Edson, Dorothy Graham, interviewee
Title:Dorothy Graham Edson Oral History Interviews
Dates:1993
Quantity:22 audiotapes (Originals). 8 audiotapes (Reference copies).
Collection:Record Unit 9571
Language of Materials:English
Summary:

These interviews by Pamela M. Henson and William W. Moss III discuss travel and the daily routine in China; David Crockett Graham's work at the University of Chicago, including his work for the Museum of Art, Archeology, and Ethnology; Graham's collecting trips for the Smithsonian; the community of missionaries at the university; missionary duties; Graham's involvement with tribal cultures outside of city areas and his work recording Chinese stories and music of the Miao; the West China Border Research Society; and return to the United States after many years in the field, including his contact with the Smithsonian while residing in Washington, D.C. Additional interview were recorded by Edson with family and friends between 1982 and 1987.

Descriptive Entry

In 1993, William W. Moss, director, and Pamela M. Henson, historian, at Smithsonian Institution Archives conducted four interviews of Dorothy Graham Edson, who was writing a biography of her father using resources in Smithsonian Institution Archives. These interviews of Dorothy Graham Edson and reminiscences of family members and friends cover their family; youth; education in China; careers; David Crockett Graham's collecting interests; reminiscences of their parents, and the challenges of a missionary life abroad. The collection includes four interviews of Edson, three reminiscence sessions with the five Graham sisters, two reminiscence sessions with the sisters and friends I. McConnell, G. and W. McIntyre, and Betty Jean and Dick Barker, remiscences of Cesare Santucci, the Margaret Graham Memorial service and the music recording. The collection contains 19.5 hours of audio recordings and 243 pages of transcript.

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Use Restriction

Restricted. Contact SIHistory@si.edu to request permission.

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Preferred Citation

Smithsonian Institution Archives, Record Unit 9571, Dorothy Graham Edson Oral History Interviews

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Container List

Interviews

Interview 1: February 5, 1993

Interviews

Interview of Edson discusses her family, especially her parents and early years living in China.

Interviews

Transcript, pp. 1-69, of audiotape recording, 1.5 hours.

Interviews

Audio Recordings of Interviews: Total Recording Time: 1.5 hours

Interviews
Original Masters: 3 7" reel-to-reel analog audiotapes
Reference Copies: 2 cassette audiotapes

Interview 2: February 12, 1993

Interviews

Interview of Edson continues her reminiscences of her childhood in China.

Interviews

Transcript, pp. 1-52, of audiotape recording, 1.5 hours.

Interviews

Audio Recordings of Interviews: Total Recording Time: 1.5 hours

Interviews
Original Masters: 3 7" reel-to-reel analog audiotapes
Reference Copies: 2 cassette audiotapes

Interview 3: February 19, 1993

Interviews

Interview of Edson continues her reminiscences of her childhood in China.

Interviews

Transcript, pp. 1-52, of audiotape recording, 1.5 hours.

Interviews

Audio Recordings of Interviews: Total Recording Time: 1.5 hours

Interviews
Original Masters: 3 7" reel-to-reel analog audiotapes
Reference Copies: 2 cassette audiotapes

Interview 4: April 9, 1993

Interviews

Interview of Edson continues her reminiscences of her childhood in China.

Interviews

Transcript, pp. 1-52, of audiotape recording, 1.5 hours.

Interviews

Audio Recordings of Interviews: Total Recording Time: 1.5 hours

Interviews
Original Masters: 3 7" reel-to-reel analog audiotapes
Reference Copies: 2 cassette audiotapes

Session 5: 1982-1984

Interviews

Consists of a recording of Ch'uan Miao Music and Clock Tower Chimes recorded by Margaret Graham in 1982 and 1984.

Interviews

Transcript, none, of audiotape recording, 0.5 hours.

Interviews

Audio Recordings of Interviews: Total Recording Time: 0.5 hours

Interviews
Original Masters: 1 cassette audiotape
Reference Copies: 1 cassette audiotape

Interview 6: October 20-22, 1985

Interviews

Consists of reminiscences of the five Graham sisters, Margaret, Ruth, Harriet-Jane, Dorothy, and Jean, about their family and life in China.

Interviews

Transcript, none, of audiotape recording, 4.5 hours.

Interviews

Audio Recordings of Interviews: Total Recording Time: 4.5 hours

Interviews
Original Masters: 3 cassette audiotapes
Reference Copies: 3 cassette audiotapes

Interview 7: October 26, 1985

Interviews

Consists of reminiscences of the five Graham sisters, Margaret, Ruth, Harriet-Jane, Dorothy, and Jean, about their family and life in China.

Interviews

Transcript, none, of audiotape recording, 3.0 hours.

Interviews

Audio Recordings of Interviews: Total Recording Time: 3.0 hours

Interviews
Original Masters: 2 cassette audiotapes
Reference Copies: 2 cassette audiotapes

Session 8: July 18, 1987

Interviews

Consists of a recording of the Margaret Graham Memorial Service.

Interviews

Transcript, none, of audiotape recording, 1.0 hour.

Interviews

Audio Recordings of Interviews: Total Recording Time: 1.0 hour

Interviews
Original Masters: 1 cassette audiotape
Reference Copies: 1 cassette audiotape

Interview 9: September 1987

Interviews

Consists of reminiscences of Cesare Santucci.

Interviews

Transcript, none, of audiotape recording, 1.5 hours.

Interviews

Audio Recordings of Interviews: Total Recording Time: 1.5 hours

Interviews
Original Masters: 1 cassette audiotape
Reference Copies: 1 cassette audiotape

Interview 10: September 1, 10, 13, and 14, 1987

Interviews

Consists of reminiscences of four Graham sisters, Ruth, Harriet-Jane, Dorothy, and Jean, with friends I. McConnell, G. and W. McIntyre, and Betty Jean and Dick Barker.

Interviews

Transcript, none, of audiotape recording, 1.5 hours.

Interviews

Audio Recordings of Interviews: Total Recording Time: 1.5 hours

Interviews
Original Masters: 1 cassette audiotape
Reference Copies: 1 cassette audiotape

Interview 11: September 13-14, 1987

Interviews

Consists of reminiscences of four Graham sisters, Ruth, Harriet-Jane, Dorothy, and Jean, with friends Betty Jean and Dick Barker.

Interviews

Transcript, none, of audiotape recording, 1.5 hours.

Interviews

Audio Recordings of Interviews: Total Recording Time: 1.5 hours

Interviews
Original Masters: 1 cassette audiotape
Reference Copies: 1 cassette audiotape