Guide to the Edna Aleshire papers
1956-1974
Collection number: HMC-1271.
Creator: Aleshire, Edna.
Title: Edna Aleshire papers.
Dates: 1956-1974.
Volume of collection: 0.01 cubic feet.
Language of materials: Materials in this collection are in English.
Collection summary: Journals and letters written by an Alaskan resident.
Biographical note:
Edna Aleshire was born in Swanville, Minnesota in 1906. She graduated from Bemidji State College with a degree in Elementary Education and taught at various schools in Minnesota before moving to Anchorage, Alaska in 1943. Aleshire taught in Anchorage schools until her retirement in 1969. She died in 1990 in Minnesota.
Collection description:
The collection contains the transcripts of five journals written during trips Aleshire took in Alaska and Canada, as well as letters written by Aleshire and sent to family after the 1964 earthquake. The first journal was written while camping on Tolugak Lake and along the Anaktuvuk River in August 1956. The subjects of this journal include camping, teaching, and hunting. Included with this journal is a list of air shipment supplies and the roundtrip cost for two from Fairbanks to Tolugak Lake. Two of the journals were written during trips on the Mackenzie River from Hay River, Canada to Inuvik, Canada, July-August 1964, and September 1974 (aboard the Norweta). Another journal was written between Christmas and New Year’s while in Anaktuvuk, 1965, while another journal was written during a Yukon River trip from July-August 1966. The subjects of these journals include berry picking, camping, meals, fishing, people Aleshire met during the trips, and places stopped on the way. Included at the end of the Yukon River and 1974 Mackenzie River trips are lists of people Aleshire met during her travels and their occupations. The collection also contains letters written by Aleshire to family after the 1964 earthquake discussing damages in Anchorage, and her personal experiences in the aftermath of the earthquake. A list of information and facts written by Aleshire regarding the earthquake is also included.
Arrangement: The collection is arranged in original order, which is roughly chronological.
Digitized copies: This collection has not been digitized. For information about obtaining digital copies, please contact Archives and Special Collections.
Rights note: Archives does not hold copyright to materials in this collection.
Preferred citation: Edna Aleshire papers, Archives and Special Collections, Consortium Library, University of Alaska Anchorage.
Works used in preparation of inventory: Biographical information was taken from the “Forward,” which was written by Bonnie Irvin and precedes the transcripts in the collection.
Custodial history: Edna Aleshire gave the original journal entries and letters to her niece, Bonnie Irvin, who transcribed them. Irvin later gave a copy of the transcripts to Donald Schulz.
Acquisition note: Donald Schulz donated the collection to Archives in 2017.
Processing information: This collection was described by Veronica Denison in 2017.
Location of originals: The originals are presumed to be with the Aleshire or Irvin families.