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Guide to the Rose and Martha Dysart Diaries
MS 24
MS 24
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Title: Rose and Martha Dysart Diaries
Identifier/Call Number: MS 24
Contributing Institution:
San Diego History Center Document Collection
Language of Material:
English
Physical Description:
0.25 Linear feet
(1 box)
Date (inclusive): 1909-1918
Abstract: This collection contains five diaries written by Rose Dysart and five diaries written by her sister Martha Dysart Allen in
the early 1900s.
creator:
Allen, Martha Dysart
creator:
Dysart, Rose
Biographical / Historical Notes
The Dysart family was originally from St. Louis, Missouri. Jane Dysart had six children, including Rose Dysart, Martha Dysart
Allen (nickname Mattie), Gilbert Dysart (nickname Gil), and Tom Dysart. Gilbert had two daughters, Martha and Helen. Rose
lived in Enid, Oklahoma with Gil, Tom, Helen, and Martha before moving to Coronado, California in 1913. In Coronado she lived
with Jane, Mattie, and Helen. Martha remained in Oklahoma with her father, Gil.
The women lived at 616 B. Avenue for the rest of their lives. Rose died in December 1917. She appears never to have married.
Helen Dysart worked as a cataloger and later supervisor of the literature and languages section at the San Diego Public Library.
She was hired in 1916 by Althea Warren and worked there till her retirement in 1960. From 1960 till 1970 she worked part-time
in the rare book collection of the Wagenheim Room. Helen died February 26, 1972, and had no surviving relatives.
This collection contains five diaries written by Rose Dysart and five diaries written by her sister Martha Dysart Allen. Rose’s
diaries cover January 1, 1909 through December 31, 1916. The diaries begin in Oklahoma and the family moves to Coronado in
1913. Rose primarily describes her daily chores, errands, and recreational activities with neighbors and family. Other topics
include the St. Louis Centennial, the sinking of the Titanic, early World War I news, the 1916 San Diego floods, conflicts
with Pancho Villa in Mexico, and frequent trips to Tent City and the Panama-California Exposition. Martha’s diaries cover
January 1, 1918 through December 17, 1918. Martha is mostly confined to the home, taking care of her ailing mother, Jane,
after the death of Rose. She primarily describes her daily chores and the occasional recreational activity with neighbors
and family.
This collection is arranged into two series:
Series I: Rose Dysart Diaries;
Series II: Martha Dysart Allen Diaries.
Diaries are arranged chronologically within each series.
Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements
Rose Dysart Diary One: The front cover is coming loose from the binding. Leather is cracked.
Rose Dysart Diary Two: Some pages near end of diary loose from binding.
Rose Dysart Diary Four: A large piece of the cover has broken off (still with book).
Rose and Martha Dysart Diaries, MS 24, San Diego History Center Document Collection, San Diego, CA.
This collection is open for research.
The San Diego History Center (SDHC) holds the copyright to any unpublished materials. SDHC Library regulations do apply.
Collection processed by Samantha Mills in July 2013.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Gift of Clara Breed, 5/14/80
PA 60 Martha ‘Mattay’ Dysart Family Photograph Album, 1900-1915
PA 61 Helen Dysart Photograph Album, 1944-1948
PA 91 Helen Dysart Photograph Album, 1950-1951
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Dysart, Helen
Panama-California Exposition (1915 : San Diego, Calif.).
Coronado (Calif.)
Diaries
Domestic Life
Enid (Okla.)
Flood damage
Floods -- California
San Diego (Calif.)
St. Louis (Mo.)
St. Louis Centennial
Tent City (Coronado, Calif.)
Titanic (Steamship)--Press coverage
World War, 1914-1918