Title: Thomas Somers Letters
Inclusive Dates: 1917-1918, circa 1970

Creator:

• Somers, Thomas, 1893-1978

Call Number: UWM Manuscript Collection 197

Quantity:

• .8 cubic ft. (2 boxes)
• 1 nitrate negative

Repository:

University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Libraries, Archives Department

Archival Location:

UW-Milwaukee Libraries, Archives / Milwaukee Area Research Ctr. (Map)

Abstract:

Papers of a Milwaukee native drafted into the Army near the close of World War I. The collection contains correspondence Somers wrote to his mother talking about his training at Camp Greenleaf in Georgia as well as his position as a clerk there and daily life in the Army. Also included are Somers' draft notice, a photograph of him in military dress,a film negative, a Thanksgiving menu from Camp Greenleaf, a Red Cross window flag and a song pamphlet. There is also a small collection of newspaper clippings dating from 1918 to the 1970s talking about Thomas Somers' bowling achievements. This collection contains a few artifacts including a Blue Star Service Banner, a National Army arm band, and a corded shoulder knot.

Language: English

URL to cite for this finding aid: http://digital.library.wisc.edu/1711.dl/wiarchives.uw-mil-uwmmss0197

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Thomas Somers was a second generation Irish American, born in 1893, into a middle-class family on Milwaukee's North Side. He attended St. Gall's Parish School on Locust Street and later enrolled in a Milwaukee trade school. His father died in 1912 leaving him with the responsibility of caring for his forty year old mother and siblings: Alice, Katherine, Florence, Madelyn, Gertrude, and Phil. He often refers to "the kids" in his letters. In 1918 the children ranged from ten to twenty-eight years old and lived in their mother's home on North 6th Street, either working or attending school. After the war ended, Somers returned home and worked as a clerk. He eventually married and lived with his wife, Rose, on the South Side of Milwaukee.

Citation Guide for Primary Sources

Access Restrictions

Nitrate negatives are located in cold storage and must be acclimated before delivery to the reading room. There are no other access restrictions on the materials, and the collection is open to all members of the public in accordance with state law.

Use Restrictions

The researcher assumes full responsibility for conforming with the laws of libel, privacy, and copyright which may be involved in the use of this collection (Wisconsin Statutes 19.21-19.39).

Acquisition Information

Presented by Matt Blessing on September 25, 2002 (accession 2002-041).

Processing Information

Terri Boesel processed the collection at the Archives in July 2003.

In February 2011, Michael Doylen removed a nitrate negative from the collection in February 2011 and placed it with other nitrate negatives.

Box   2	Blue Star Service Banner, 1918
Box   1 Folder   1	Business Card, Missouri Pacific Lines, circa 1920
Box   1 Folder   2	Christmas Card, The Army Y.M.C.A., 1918
Box   1 Folder   3	Clippings, 1918-circa 1970
Box   1 Folder   4-6	Correspondence, 1918
Box   1 Folder   7	Draft Notice, 1918
Box   2	National Army Arm Band, circa 1918
4 x 5 Nitrate Box   5	Negative, 1918 Physical Description: 4" x 5" nitrate negatives  Access Restrictions: Nitrate negatives are located in cold storage and must be acclimated before delivery to the reading room.
Box   1 Folder   9	Photograph, 1918
Box   1 Folder   10	Prayer Book for Soldiers, 1917
Box   1 Folder   11	Red Cross Window Flag, Second War Fund, 1918
Box   2	Shoulder Knot, circa 1918
Box   1 Folder   12	Soldier Address Tag, 1918
Box   1 Folder   13	Song Pamphlet, circa 1918
Box   1 Folder   14	Thanksgiving Menu, Camp Greenleaf Development Battalion, 1918