Joseph Geddes Family papers

The Joseph Geddes Family papers pertain to several generations of an African American family with multi-generational ties to Louisiana who owned and operated several businesses, including funeral parlors and life insurance companies that date back to the early 20th century. The papers consist of professional, as well as personal, papers and contain photographs, scrapbooks, memory books, a memorial record book, correspondence, programs, and newspaper clippings relating to the family history.

The papers contain a small amount of correspondence and includes letters to Alva Geddes from Henrine Ward Banks, a former matron at Fisk University; a letter to Geddes Jones from Aunt Nonie (Naomi Veronica Geddes); and a letter to Inez Geddes from Charles, wishing her a speedy recovery. Included in the papers is a memorial record book belonging to Mary Virginia Gotham. Mrs. Gotham was born in New Orleans, Louisiana in 1857 and died in 1932. George D. Geddes served as the funeral director at her service. There are multiple programs from Fisk University, including the 1950 graduation program of Alvin Geddes Jones and 1957 graduation program of Inez Alva Jones.

The bulk of the collection includes scrapbooks, memory books, and photographs which document the life and times of the Geddes family. The photographs contain studio portraits; amateur shots; personal photographs; family photographs; and pictures of acquaintances, colleagues, and school groups. A number of the photographs were part of the scrapbook compiled by Naomi Veronica Geddes. Of note is a color photograph of Archbishop Joseph Francis Rummel. Archbishop Rummel was the ninth Archbishop of New Orleans and ordered the desegregation of  the New Orleans Archdiocese and it's schools.

The papers include a school memory book compiled by Alva Inez Jones, containing items that pertain to Xavier Preparatory School in New Orleans in the 1950's. The book was compiled by the granddaughter of Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Geddes to commemorate her student days at the school and includes photographs. Inez Alva Jones compiled a memory book of newspaper clippings. The papers contain two baby record books, which detail the birth of Geddes Alvin Jones, born April 1, 1931, son of Alvin Jones and Inez H. Jones. Also included is a scrapbook compiled by Naomi Veronica Geddes, daughter of Joseph and Naomi Geddes, while a student at Fisk University. The scrapbook contains photos, notes from class members, newspaper clippings, programs, poems, editorials, and correspondence. The correspondence contains letters concerning Naomi's class record, a meeting between Naomi and the student council and a letter stating that the student council had revoked her social priviledges.

Other names in the collection include Gladys Geddes Smith; Geddes Jones-Journet; Inez Geddes Jones;  and Arthur Emmet Gorham.