Research Catalog

Details

Additional authors

1. Dowridge-Challenor, Aletha
2. Challenor, Frederick

Description

1. .2 lin. ft. (1/2 archival box)

Summary

1. The Dowridge-Challenor Family Letters span the years 1904-1913, and illuminate various aspects of Aletha Dowridge's and Frederick Challenor's lives as immigrants in the United States. The largest group of letter are from Frederick to Aletha beginning with courtship in Brooklyn and continuing throughout his wife's return to her parent's home in St. Michael Parish. Letters from J.L. and Harriet Dowridge to their daughter comprise the second largest group of letters. The smallest group of letters are from Aletha's friends and relatives living in St. Michael and Brooklyn.

Subject

1. Challenor, Frederick
2. Dowridge-Challenor, Aletha
3. Dowridge-Challenor family -- Correspondence
4. Barbadians -- United States
5. Caribbean Americans -- New York (State) -- New York -- Social conditions
6. Women immigrants -- New York (State) -- New York
7. Families, Black -- New York (State) -- New York
8. Courtship
9. Barbados -- Social life and customs
10. Barbados -- Emigration and immigration

Genre/Form

1. Love letters.

Call number

1. Sc MG 209

Language

1. English

Source (note)

1. Burnham, Dorothy

Biography (note)

1. Aletha Dowridge, daughter of J. L. and Mrs. Harriet Dowridge, was born in St. Michael Parish, Barbados in 1887, and immigrated to Brooklyn, New York around 1903. While in Brooklyn, Aletha met Frederick Challenor, before or around 1906, who like her, had immigrated to the United States to escape the lack of employment opportunities in Barbados. Frederick and Aletha were married in 1907. Shortly after the birth of their first child Elise, Aletha moved back to St. Michael Parish to console her mother due to the death of Aletha's father. Challenor remained in Brooklyn, and continued to support his wife and daughter with money which he sent to them. Sometime after 1913, Aletha returned to New York, leaving her daughter behind to keep her mother company. Aletha and Frederick brought Elise to Brooklyn shorty thereafter. The couple had two more daughters, Dorothy and Ida Mae.

Author

1. Dowridge-Challenor Family.

Title

1. Dowridge-Challenor family letters, 1904-1917.

Biography

1. Aletha Dowridge, daughter of J. L. and Mrs. Harriet Dowridge, was born in St. Michael Parish, Barbados in 1887, and immigrated to Brooklyn, New York around 1903. While in Brooklyn, Aletha met Frederick Challenor, before or around 1906, who like her, had immigrated to the United States to escape the lack of employment opportunities in Barbados. Frederick and Aletha were married in 1907. Shortly after the birth of their first child Elise, Aletha moved back to St. Michael Parish to console her mother due to the death of Aletha's father. Challenor remained in Brooklyn, and continued to support his wife and daughter with money which he sent to them. Sometime after 1913, Aletha returned to New York, leaving her daughter behind to keep her mother company. Aletha and Frederick brought Elise to Brooklyn shorty thereafter. The couple had two more daughters, Dorothy and Ida Mae.

Connect to:

1. Finding Aid

Added author

1. Dowridge-Challenor, Aletha.
2. Challenor, Frederick.

Research call number

1. Sc MG 209