Cook Family Letters: Finding Aid mssCookfl
Gayle M. Richardson
The Huntington Library
December 2022
1151 Oxford Road
San Marino, California 91108
Business Number: (626) 405-2191
reference@huntington.org
Contributing Institution:
The Huntington Library
Title: Cook family letters
Creator:
Cook (Family : 1946-1947)
Identifier/Call Number: mssCookfl
Physical Description:
0.25 Linear Feet
(1 box)
Date (inclusive): 1946-1947
Abstract: A collection of material related to Dr.
Sterling Smith Cook, a United States Navy Captain, and his family while they were stationed
in China from 1946 to 1947.
Language of Material: Materials are in
English.
Conditions Governing Access
Open for use by qualified researchers and by appointment. Please contact Reader Services at
the Huntington Library for more information.
Conditions Governing Use
The Huntington Library does not require that researchers request permission to quote from
or publish images of this material, nor does it charge fees for such activities. The
responsibility for identifying the copyright holder, if there is one, and obtaining
necessary permissions rests with the researcher.
Preferred Citation
[Identification of item]. Cook family letters, The Huntington Library, San Marino,
California.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Gift of Virginia Ball Stack, October 2022.
Biographical / Historical
Dr. Sterling Smith Cook was a Captain in the United States Navy; he was married to Ruth
Cook and they had three children: Frances Ann Cook, Caroline Cook Ball, and William Cook.
Dr. Cook was stationed in China just after the Second World War with his wife, Ruth, and his
son Bill, who was attending the Tsingtao American School; Dr. Cook's two daughters, Frances
Ann Cook and Caroline Cook Ball, were living in the United States.
Scope and Contents
A collection of letters and ephemera related to the Cook family from 1946 to 1947 while
they were stationed in China. The letters are from Dr. Sterling S. Cook, Ruth Cook, and Bill
Cook to Frances Ann Cook and Caroline Cook Ball. The letters describe life in China just
after the Second World War, including domestic issues, world events, American football,
travel plans across China and East Asia, and their meetings with Chinese leaders and
celebrities, such as Chiang Kai-shek; Chiang May-ling Soong; Dai Li; Mei Lanfang; Soong
Ching-ling (Song, Qingling); and Soong T. V. There is also a photocopy of a letter from
Sterling S. Cook to his sister Ruth and a printed map in Chinese, a clipping, and an
envelope.
Processing Information
Processed at the time of accessioning by Gayle M. Richardson in December 2022.
Arrangement
Arranged alphabetically.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
China -- Description and
travel
China -- Foreign relations -- United
States
China -- History -- Republic,
1912-1949
China -- Social life and customs --
1912-1949
United States -- Foreign relations --
China
Ephemera -- China -- 20th century
Letters (correspondence) -- China -- 20th century
Ball, Caroline Cook
Chiang, Kai-shek,
1887-1975
Chiang, May-ling Soong, 1897-2003
Cook, Frances Ann
Cook, Ruth
Cook, Sterling Smith
Cook, William
Dai, Li,
1896-1946
Mei, Lanfang,
1894-1961
Song, Qingling,
1893-1981
Soong, T. V. (Tzu-wen),
1894-1971
United States. Navy -- History -- 20th century
United States. Navy. Medical Department
Correspondence and ephemera
1946-1947
Box 1, Folder 1
Ruth Cook letters to Caroline Cook Ball
1946 January
Box 1, Folder 2
Sterling Smith Cook letters to Caroline Cook Ball
1946 February-1947 January
Box 1, Folder 3
Sterling Smith Cook letters to Frances Ann Cook
1946 February 16-18
Scope and Contents
Followed by: letter from Ruth Cook.
Box 1, Folder 4
Sterling Smith Cook letters to Ruth Cook
1946 February-March
Box 1, Folder 5
Sterling Smith Cook letter to William Cook
1946 March 3
Scope and Contents
Addressed to: Bill.
Box 1, Folder 6
Sterling Smith Cook letter to Ruth
1946 February 21
Scope and Contents
A photocopy; letter sent to his sister.
Box 1, Folder 7
William Cook letter to Caroline Cook Ball
1947 January 17
Scope and Contents
With envelope; addressed to: Dear Balls, and unsigned.
Box 1, Folder 8
Ephemera: Chinese printed map; clipping; envelope; genealogical
information
1946-1947
