Guide to the Howard Sproull Genealogy Papers and Photographs 1868-1975

Repository
Heinz History Center
Title
Howard Sproull Genealogy Papers and Photographs
Creator
Sproull, Howard
Collection Number
MSS 875
Extent
6 linear feet (6 boxes)
Date
1868-1975
Abstract
The Howard Sproull Genealogy Papers and Photographs relate to genealogical research conducted, primarily in the 1970s, by Howard Sproull. The Sproull family resided in Westmoreland County, and later Allegheny City, between the 18th and 20th centuries. The Howard Sproull Genealogy Papers consist of personal correspondence between Howard Sproull and relative, research correspondence, individual biographies, census records, brochures, state and county maps, family photographs, elementary school notebooks, and library request slips.
Language
The material in this collection is in English.
Author
The guide to this collection was written by Gloria Hendrickson.
Sponsor
This collection has been made accessible as part of an NHPRC-funded Basic Processing grant.
Publisher
Heinz History Center
Address
1212 Smallman St.
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15222
library@heinzhistorycenter.org
URL: https://www.heinzhistorycenter.org

History

Conducted primarily in the 1970s, Howard Sproull compiled genealogical research on both his father's (Sproull) and mother's ancestors (Drake), which can trace family members to early 19th century Western Pennsylvania. Howard Sproull's father, Robert, owned a farm in Allegheny Township in the late 18th century, and Sproulls were recorded throughout Westmoreland County in the areas of Allegheny, Derry, and New Alexandria Townships from the 1790s through the 1850s. Additionally, Sproull family members resided in Allegheny City (now Pittsburgh's North Side) during the 1880s through the 1900s. Relative families are also included, namely the Lonsdale, Dodds, Magee, Tuttle, Armstrong and Ellway families.

His research consisted of correspondence with possible cousins around the United States, visits to historical societies, archives and libraries, and book requests from libraries across the country. In the 1970s, Sproull travelled to Northern Ireland and Scotland to continue research on the Sproull family, whose roots can be traced to the 16th century.

Scope and Content Notes

The Howard Sproull Genealogy Papers and Photographs consist of genealogical research related to the Sproull and Drake families that Howard Sproull collected. Materials include personal correspondence between Howard Sproull and relative, research correspondence, individual biographies,census records, brochures, state and county maps, family photographs, elementary school notebooks, and library request slips.

Series I: Sproull and Drake Family Research, 1970-1975 (Boxes 1-2)

Boxes 1 and 2 consist of Howard Sproull's genealogical research on his direct ancestors within the Sproull and Drake families. James and Robert Sproull, as well as Robert Drake, are the first ancestors traced back to in the United States. Included are biographies of James and Robert Sproull, Brookland Congregation Church histories in Westmoreland County, census records, research correspondence, and family trees created by Howard Sproull.

Series II: Geographical Searches for Cousins, 1970-1975 (Boxes 3-4)

Boxes 3 and 4 contain research conducted by Howard Sproull about cousins in the United States, Northern Ireland and Scotland. There are variations of the spelling of Sproull to account for possible cousins of Howard Sproull. The materials consist of correspondence, family trees created by Howard Sproull, state and county maps, brochures, library requests, and a book about pioneer families of Northern Ireland.

Series III: Personal Papers, Ledgers, and Photographs, 1868-1919 (Boxes 5-6)

Boxes 5 and 6 consists of Howard Sproull's elementary school notebooks, James E. Drake's diary (1868-1881), event books detailing everyday activities (1882-1904), and photographs from the Sproull, Drake, Tuttle, and Lonsdale families depicting individual family members.

Arrangement

The Howard Sproull Genealogy Papers and Photographs are housed in 6 boxes and have been arranged into the following 3 series:

  1. Boxes 1-2; Series I: Sproull and Drake Family Research, 1970-1975
  2. Boxes 3-4; Series II: Geographical Searches for Cousins, 1970-1975
  3. Boxes 5-6; Series III: Personal Papers, Ledgers, and Photographs, 1868-1919

Conditions Governing Access

None

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Gift from Ruth Sproull in 2009.

Archives accession # 2009.0174

Preferred Citation

Howard Sproull Genealogy Papers and Photographs, 1868-1975, MSS 875 , Library and Archives Division, Senator John Heinz History Center

Processing Information

This collection was processed by Gloria Hendrickson on 11/28/12.

Conditions Governing Use

Property rights reside with the Senator John Heinz History Center. Literary rights are retained by the creators of the records and their heirs. For permission to reproduce or publish, please contact the Library and Archives of the Senator John Heinz History Center.

Subjects

    Corporate Names

    • Reformed Presbyterian Church in America

    Geographic Names

    • Westmoreland County (Pa.)

    Other Subjects

    • Genealogy
    • family history

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