Ranson Family Papers, 1902-1977 (bulk 1910-1926)

Summary

Creator:
Ranson family.
Abstract:

William Joseph Ranson of Huntersville, N.C., had about ten children, including several sons who attended the University of North Carolina in the 1910s and 1920s: John Oliver Ranson, who was killed in France during World War I; Lucius H. Ranson, who served as Superintendent of Welfare for Mecklenburg County, N.C., in the 1920s; Robert Lacy Ranson, who graduated from the University in 1924; and Paul J. Ranson. The brothers were involved in athletics at the University, both during their time as students and as alumni. One was on the football team, and two were on the track and field team, although it is unclear which brothers were on which teams.

The collection includes Ranson family correspondence, subject files, printed material, and pictures, mostly photographs, chiefly 1910-1926, although a few items are from later years. Correspondence, chiefly 1917-1922, includes letters among brothers Lucius H. Ranson, Robert Lacy Ranson, and Paul J. Ranson. Topics include University of North Carolina alumni and athletic activities; Lucius H. Ranson's work as Superintendent of Welfare for Mecklenburg County; Robert Lacy Ranson's work at the University yearbook; football and track and field; and family news. Also included are letters of condolence from fellow soldiers to the widow of John Oliver Ranson, who died fighting in France during World War I in 1918. Subject files include material related to the Ranson brothers' time at the University and miscellaneous material related to the Ranson family. Printed material includes programs for University athletic events and dramatic performances by the Carolina Playmakers. There are also other University of North Carolina publications. Photographs are unidentified and undated, although they were probably taken during the 1910s and 1920s. Several of the photographs appear to have been taken on the University of North Carolina campus, and some show University athletes and sports teams.

Extent:
400 items (1.5 linear feet)
Language:
Materials in English
Library Catalog Link:
View UNC library catalog record for this item

Background

Biographical / historical:

William Joseph Ranson of Huntersville, N.C., had about ten children, including several sons who attended the University of North Carolina in the 1910s and 1920s: John Oliver Ranson, who was killed in France during World War I; Lucius H. Ranson, who served as Superintendent of Welfare for Mecklenburg County, N.C., in the 1920s; Robert Lacy Ranson, who graduated from the University in 1924; and Paul J. Ranson. The brothers were very involved in athletics at the University, both during their time as students and as alumni. One was on the football team, and two were on the track and field team, although it is unclear which brothers were on which teams.

Scope and content:

The collection includes Ranson family of Huntersville, N.C., correspondence, subject files, printed material, and photographs, mostly dating 1910-1926, although a few items are from later years. Correspondence, chiefly 1917-1922, includes letters among brothers Lucius H. Ranson, Robert Lacy Ranson, and Paul J. Ranson. Topics include University of North Carolinaalumni and athletic activities; Lucius H. Ranson's work as Superintendent of Welfare for Mecklenburg County, N.C.; Robert Lacy Ranson's work at the University yearbook; football and track and field; and family news. Also included are letters of condolence from fellow soldiers to the widow of John Oliver Ranson, who died fighting in France during World War I in 1918. Subject files include material related to the Ranson brothers' time at the University and miscellaneous material related to the Ranson family. Printed material includes programs for University athletic events and dramatic performances by the Carolina Playmakers. There are also other University of North Carolina publications. Photographs are unidentified and undated, although they were probably taken during the 1910s and 1920s. Several of the photographs appear to have been taken on the University of North Carolina campus, and some show University athletes and sports teams.

Acquisition information:

Received from Virginia Cornue of Montclair, N.J., and Frederick Cornue of Oriental, N.C., in May 2005 (Acc. 100088) and from Virginia Cornue in September 2022 (Acc. 20221220.3).

Processing information:

Processed by: Nathalie Wheaton and Danielle Allen, November 2005

Encoded by: Nathalie Wheaton, November 2005

Updated by: Nancy Kaiser, March 2021; Dawne Howard Lucas and Rebecca Stubbs, February 2023

Museum items have been transferred to the North Carolina Collection Gallery.

Sensitive materials statement:

Manuscript collections and archival records may contain materials with sensitive or confidential information that is protected under federal or state right to privacy laws and regulations, the North Carolina Public Records Act (N.C.G.S. § 132 1 et seq.), and Article 7 of the North Carolina State Personnel Act (Privacy of State Employee Personnel Records, N.C.G.S. § 126-22 et seq.). Researchers are advised that the disclosure of certain information pertaining to identifiable living individuals represented in this collection without the consent of those individuals may have legal ramifications (e.g., a cause of action under common law for invasion of privacy may arise if facts concerning an individual's private life are published that would be deemed highly offensive to a reasonable person) for which the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill assumes no responsibility.

Access and use

Restrictions to access:

No restrictions. Open for research.

Restrictions to use:

Copyright is retained by the authors of items in these papers, or their descendants, as stipulated by United States copyright law.

No usage restrictions.

Preferred citation:

[Identification of item], in the Ranson Family Papers #5216, Southern Historical Collection, Wilson Special Collections Library, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Location of this collection:
Louis Round Wilson Library
200 South Road
Chapel Hill, NC 27515
Contact:
(919) 962-3765
wilsonlibrary@unc.edu