Ulysses H. Jones papers

The papers of Ulysses H. Jones document an African American Catholic family living in Massachusetts, mainly during the 1960s-2000s. Jones’ papers, which he maintained with detailed descriptions and organization, document his life, as well as that of his wife and three children, and chronicle the racial difficulties the family faced from the children’s school, the Catholic Church, individuals, and various financial institutions, state agencies, and businesses. The papers provide a personal view of one family’s struggles, while also speaking to the larger context of issues faced by African Americans in the northern United States following the Civil Rights Movement.

The collection includes 41 packets of correspondence, dating 1962-2011, that pertain to Ulysses Jones’ military service and status as a veteran; discrimination faced by his children during their time in school; discrimination faced by Jones’ wife, Lee, following her move to the United States from Panama; letters of dispute an inquiry to various businesses, financial institutions, and agencies; family matters; and Jones’ responses to newspaper and magazine articles. Other packets include photographs of the Jones family and homes; information on his employment as a bank officer, federal government property contract manager, and accountant; and family and work events. Also included are three books authored by Ulysses H. Jones under the pseudonym Otterman J. Herman and a 1984 interview conducted with Jones by a college student.