Scope and Contents The collection partially documents four generations of the Horace Hall family of Sycamore, Illinois from 1824 to 1946. Most of the correspondence provides detailed information on family lifestyles in the last half of the nineteenth century. Important to note are the letters that provide insight on family attitudes during the Civil War years. Genealogical charts, personal diaries, family legal documents, publications, photographs, and scrapbooks complete the collection. The original...

Scope and Contents The Harry A. Joslyn Collection (1860-1905) provides excellent documentation for the study of rural life in DeKalb County, Illinois during the second half of the nineteenth century. The bulk of the collection consists of a series of 39 diaries (1865-1905) written by Harry A. Joslyn of Cortland and Sycamore. Diaries for 1890 and 1891 are missing. Daily entries vary in length but generally include information on family life work activities, politics, weather, and social life. Two additional...