P2325.xml LYDIA PAULSON: An Inventory of Her Papers Finding aid prepared by Lara D. Friedman-Shedlov. Minnesota Historical Society
St. Paul MN.

Manuscripts Collection

 Finding aid encoded by Stephanie Grabowski, February 22, 1999.Finding aid written inEnglish August 2008Converted from EAD Version 1.0 to Version 2002 by Monica Manny Ralston, Daniel Sher, and Joyce Chapman. OVERVIEW OF THE COLLECTION Minnesota Historical Society Paulson, Lydia, 1899-1975. Lydia Paulson papers. [ca. 1902]-1975 (bulk 1922-1975). Diaries and photographs of Lydia Paulson, a housekeeper, nanny, clerk, and seamstress in the Minneapolis area. 1.0 cu. ft. (3 boxes). P2325: See Detailed Description section for shelf locations. BIOGRAPHY OF LYDIA PAULSON

Lydia Adolphina Paulson was born December 6, 1899, the daughter of Swedish immigrants Kate and Andrew Paulson. She was born and raised in the rural community of Dassel, Minnesota and moved with her father to Minneapolis in 1930. She worked as a nanny and as a housekeeper for her father before taking up employment with her brother-in-law, Oscar Gravell, at Country Club Tailor Shop (later known as Country Club Tailors & Cleaners), at 45th Street and France Avenue South in Edina. She worked at this job until 1963, when she was laid off at age 63. Paulson died in 1975 at age 75.

 SCOPE AND CONTENTS OF THE COLLECTION

Paulson's papers consist primarily of diaries, which she kept off and on from 1922 until a few months before her death in 1975. The diaries describe her work, family and social life, including references to many restaurants and cafes, stores, radio and television shows, and current events. Accompanying most of the diaries are typed notes summarizing their contents written by Paulson's great niece, Jeanette Servin.

The papers also include a small collection of photographs depicting Paulson at various ages and one photograph of Paulson and her employer, Oscar Gravell, and other colleagues at her workplace of many years, Country Club Tailors & Cleaners.

 ARRANGEMENT OF THE COLLECTION

The diaries are arranged in chronological order.

 CATALOG HEADINGS

This collection is indexed under the following headings in the catalog of the Minnesota Historical Society. Researchers desiring materials about related topics, persons or places should search the catalog using these headings.

Topics: Dry cleaning industry--Minnesota. Swedish Americans--Minnesota--Minneapolis. Working class women--Minnesota--Minneapolis. Women employees--Minnesota--Minneapolis. Places: Minneapolis (Minn.)--Social life and customs. Persons: Paulson family. Servin, Jeanette. Organizations: Country Club Tailors & Cleaners (Edina, Minn.). Types of Documentation: Diaries. Photographs. ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION Preferred Citation:

[Indicate the cited item and/or series here]. Lydia Paulson Papers. Minnesota Historical Society.

See the Chicago Manual of Style for additional examples.

 Accession Information:

Accession number: 15,357; 15,489; 15,988

 Processing Information:

Processed by: Lara D. Friedman-Shedlov, January 1999

Catalog ID number: 09-00320558

 DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE COLLECTION P2325 1 Background information.

Includes biographical information written by Paulson's great niece, Jeanette Servin.

 Photographs, undated [early 1900s - 1960s]. 8 photographs.

Includes one portrait and several snapshots of Paulson taken at different ages. Two picture her with her sister Merriam. Also included is one photograph of Paulson with her employer, Oscar Gravell, and other workers at her workplace of many years, Country Club Tailors & Cleaners.

 Diaries, 1922, 1930, 1932-1933, 1939, 1942, 1961-1964. 11 volumes.

Includes notes summarizing contents written by Jeanette Servin for all years except 1964.

 P2325 2 Diaries, 1965-1970. 6 volumes.

Includes notes summarizing contents written by Jeanette Servin for 1966-1975.

 P2325 3 Diaries, 1971-1975. 4 volumes.

Includes notes summarizing contents written by Jeanette Servin.