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Carlton Dates correspondence

 Collection
Identifier: MS 2638

Abstract

The collection contains correspondence from Carlton Dates to his wife and daughter in Baltimore, Maryland while he was serving in the United States Navy during World War II. These letters yield a picture of the life of a Black serviceman and his family during the war.

Dates

  • 1941-1946, 1960

Creator

Conditions Governing Access

The collection is open for research use.

Conditions Governing Use

The reproduction of materials in this collection may be subject to copyright restrictions. It is the responsibility of the researcher to determine and satisfy copyright clearances or other case restrictions when publishing or otherwise distributing materials found in the collections. For more information visit the MCHC’s Rights and Permissions page.

Biographical Note

Carlton Clarence Dates (1906-1985) was a resident of Baltimore, Maryland along with his wife, Ceola Dates (1905-1976), and his daughter, Dorothy “Dolly” Dates. Dates was a serviceman in the United States Navy during World War II and worked as an engineer. He was stationed at various naval bases during the war, including the naval training station in Great Lakes, Illinois, and Camp Elliot in San Diego, California. After his death in 1985, Dates was buried in the Garrison Forest Veterans Cemetery in Owings Mills, Maryland.

Extent

0.4 Linear Feet (1 box)

Language of Materials

English

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Gift of Miriam Winder Kelly in December 1983 (Acc. 000519) and December 1984 (Acc. 000830).

Scope and Contents

The collection contains letters from Carlton Dates to Ceola and Dorothy “Dolly” Dates while he was stationed at various naval bases in Illinois and California, as well as correspondence from friends, family, and the Navy to Ceola Dates. The letters yield a picture of the life of a Black serviceman and his family during World War II and there is some comment by Dates on racial conflict and standing in letters from 1944 and 1945, particularly in a letter from December 11, 1944 in which he discusses the experiences of a friend.

The collection is arranged in two series: Series I: Correspondence to Ceola Dates from Carlton Dates, and Series II: Correspondence to Ceola Dates from others. The items are arranged chronologically.

Title
Guide to the Carlton Dates correspondence
Status
Completed
Author
Hilde Perrin
Date
2022-08
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin

Revision Statements

  • 2020-03-10: Manually entered into ArchivesSpace by Sandra Glascock

Repository Details

Part of the H. Furlong Baldwin Library Repository

Contact:
H. Furlong Baldwin Library
Maryland Center for History and Culture
610 Park Avenue
Baltimore MD 21201 United States
4106853750