Willmering, Dorothy Lee Diaries Guide to the Dorothy Lee Willmering Diaries SC 00812

Guide to the Dorothy Lee Willmering Diaries SC 00812


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Special Collections Research Center

spcoll@wm.edu

Finding Aid Authors: Ute Schechter.

Repository
Special Collections Research Center
Identification
SC 00812
Title
Dorothy Lee Willmering Diaries 1930-1931
Quantity
0.02 Linear Feet
Creator
Willmering, Dorothy Lee, b. circa 1915
Language
English

Administrative Information

Conditions Governing Use:

Before reproducing or quoting from any materials, in whole or in part, permission must be obtained from the Special Collections Research Center, and the holder of the copyright, if not Swem Library.

Conditions Governing Access:

Collection is open to all researchers. Manuscript collections and archival records may contain materials with sensitive or confidential information that is protected under federal or state right to privacy laws and regulations, such as the Virginia Public Records Act (Code of Virginia. § 42.1-76-91); and the Virginia Freedom of Information Act (Code of Virginia § 2.2-3705.5). Confidential material may include, but is not limited to, educational, medical, and personnel records. If sensitive material is found in this collection, please contact a staff member immediately. The disclosure of personally identifiable information pertaining to a living individual may have legal consequences for which the College of William and Mary assumes no responsibility.

Preferred Citation:

Dorothy Lee Willmering Diaries, Special Collections Research Center, Swem Library, College of William and Mary.

Acquisition Information:

Purchase.

Processing Information:

Accessioned and minimally described in November 2009 by Ute Schechter.


Biographical Information:

Daughter of Charlotte K. Willmering (b. circa 1884). Further information about this individual or organization may be available in the Special Collections Research Center Wiki:

Scope and Contents

Diaries, 1930-1931 of Dorothy Lee Willmering (b. circa 1915) of Columbus City, Louisa County, Iowa. Dorothy, who was about 15 when she started her diaries, lived with her mother and older sister.

Dorothy mentions visiting her father (her parents were divorced) and receiving letters from him. She also mentions her group of friends, boy friends, social activities and not doing well in school.

For a more detailed description and excerpts, both provided by the seller, see folder link below:

Subjects and Indexing Terms

  • Diaries
  • Iowa--Social life and customs
  • Teenage girls--Diaries
  • Teenagers--Iowa
  • Teenagers--Social life and customs
  • Teenagers--United States--Diaries

Significant Persons Associated With the Collection

  • Willmering, Dorothy Lee, b. circa 1915

Container List

Mixed Materials Small Collections Box 43 folder: 1 id62765
Diary
1930-1931
Scope and Contents

The following description and excerpts were provided by the seller: "Lucy writes of constantly going out with her "gang" of friends, which includes both girls and boys. Some of her friends are older and can drive, and some like to get drunk. Lucy writes of the fights she has with her friends, seeing a kid take carbolic acid and says "it was terrible" .... She writes of getting new neighbors, her rotten grades at school, bob sled parties, hanging out with her friends the boys she kisses and whose lap she sits on, a guy who felt her "bust" and made her mad, and there's an interesting entry where she writes of her father's face being half gone and looking terrible!" Excerpts provided by the seller: "..... First thing that greeted me was a note from Bill & Con. Was with Marquerite some this noon. Answered Bills note and gave it to him tonite ..... Fel. visited school and such a time. At noon Billie gave me a note, answered it and gave it to him after school and talked to him. Rode home with Fel .... Talked to Bill at noon. He was peeved at "Con". I wrote him a long letter, gave it to him after school but had a hard time. I sure felt bad about him being sort of mad "Take your choice Cornelia or I" ..... Louise and I went bob sledding tonite. I went to meet Fel. We sure had fun. Cow-bell, "Jingle bells", apples and popcorn, at Wm. afterward. Bowser went along and such a bother .... Sat in Pineys car this noon. "Monkey wrench" ha ha! "Do you cough from the bottom up or the bottom down?" I nearly felt like crying when I came home, it sure was lonesome for awhile .... Went down town and back with Glen, Kenny, Jake and Jess. Set in car after Glen went to Richies and got me. He sure had the devil in him tonite. Hid my pocketbook, kiss again. "I love you, I love you, I love you!!!" ..... Glen borrowed my pen again and the sweet smiles he can give. Rode on bicycle tonite with: Jake, Ray and Kenny. Sure is fun! Found out that Ozella Hontg quit school, amen, what a relief .... Tonite I sure told que what I thot of her - Our friendship has ended forever. I still have dear old Jess and Nell tho! .... Went to town, que half mad. Jess wanted me to go with K.D. but wouldn't, Jake felt my "bust". Boy was I mad - Glenn stepped on my toe to get me to look at him. Went home, Jake and Jess kissed 'bye' and Glen told Kenny he was going to kiss me soon. Stopped at Kenny's for Kodak. Went home, Glen kissed me on door step. Ooh! ..... Walked to town with Nel, Jake and Kenny. Fun. Saw que and she came with us but we didn't want her - On way home Jake handed me an envelope. Glen said open it and I did, it had a little snake in it, Glen sure laughed ..... School. Jess and Que sure made at Nell and I. Jess mad cause she had to walk home Friday nite and Que cause she thinks I'm jealous of her. Sure formed my opinion of them. Wrote Que a pretty slamming letter. I cried 5th period to think those girls would do that. Anyhow, I try to act like I don't care and cold shoulder them. In store tonite we sure started on Kenny, he said he didn't know his name was signed at end of letter. That makes 2 more from the "dear old gang". I hope they are satisfied at last. I don't ever want to be in it again after such slams and insults and names ..... Blanche and Bill up a while this a.m. Blanche and Bill up to Elsie's for supper. I was there all afternoon and for supper. Blanche had a bottle of hooch and was drunk. Joe and Bill were trying to get her mad. Went home about 9:00 with Joe in truck ........." "Some of the names she mentions in the diary are: Donald James ~ Lawrence Case ~ Guy Masonholder ~ Aunt Florence Hunter ~ Mary Black ~ Herman Weymeyer ~ Bob Owens ~ Tom Robertson ~ Bertha Thomas ~ Red Samuelson." "Some of the places she mentions in the diary are: Iowa City ~ Grandview ~ Galesburg ~ Salem ~ Brighton ~ Burlington ~ Savannah."

Mixed Materials Small Collections Box 43 folder: 2
Diary
1930-1931English.