Julia Ellingson Griffis Papers

Collection — Box: 1

Identifier: OGLMC-1212

Scope and Contents

The Julia Ellingson Griffis Papers include correspondence from Julia Griffis to Oscar and Emma Ellingson, her brother and sister-in-law, in Reynolds, North Dakota. In her letters, she discusses life in California during the depression. She mentions the free food provided to people in California and seeing people sleeping in the auditorium at Long Beach, California. She writes about times being hard with no food, no work, and no clothes available. She took a trip to Florida in 1930 and some of the letters discuss the traveling and economic conditions experienced during the trip. She also mentions the Olympics held in Long Beach in 1932. In her letters from 1937 to 1941, she writes about World War II. She discusses being afraid of war and hoping that the United States would not become involved. The remaining content of the letters is mostly concerned with family issues and personal information. A brief history of Julia's life and an eulogy are also included in this collection.

Dates

created: 1926-1941
Other: Date acquired: 08/08/1990

Creator

Griffis, Julia Ellingson (Person)

Conditions Governing Access

Open for inspection under the rules and regulations of the Elwyn B. Robinson Department of Special Collections.

Biographical or Historical Information

Julia Ellingson Griffis was born October 20, 1882, in Reynolds, North Dakota. She was the first white child born in the city of Reynolds. She had three brothers and two sisters. Griffis attended high school in Reynolds, but then moved to California in 1923. She worked as a nurse in the homes of elderly women. She lived in Long Beach until 1936, when she moved to Hollywood for one year. She then lived in Lynwood until her death March 31, 1941.

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