Ada Jordan Pray Papers, 1868-1940 MSS.012

Finding aid prepared by Pamela Nett Kruger
California State University, Chico, Special Collections, Meriam Library
400 West First Street
Chico, CA, 95929-0295
(530) 898-6342
SpecialCollections@csuchico.edu
October 8, 2007


Title: Ada Jordan Pray Papers
Identifier/Call Number: MSS.012
Contributing Institution: California State University, Chico, Special Collections, Meriam Library
Language of Material: English
Physical Description: 0.75 Linear feet 2 boxes
Date: 1868-1947
Language of Materials note: English and German
creator: Pray, Ada Jordan , 1884-1958

Conditions Governing Access note

Collection is open for research without restriction.

Conditions Governing Use note

No restrictions.

Immediate Source of Acquisition note

Source unknown.

Preferred Citation note

Ada Jordan Pray Papers, MSS 012, Special Collections, Meriam Library, California State University, Chico.

Related Archival Materials note

The San Francisco Public Library has the following musical scores: "Schubertiana": symphony movement in rondo form / by Ada Jordan Pray; to be used with unison chorus if desired. Swiss echo song / lyric and music by Ada Jordan Pray.
Library of Congress and Brown University have the book by Ada Jordan Pray Songs of nature, youth and love.

Scope and Contents note

The collection includes photo albums, scrap books, correspondence, music programs, a handwritten recipe book. For a more detailed listing see finding aid available in Special Collections.

Biographical/Historical note

Ada Jordan Pray was a music teacher, composer, pianist and soprano. Born in California she studied the arts from an early age and attended the University of California. Upon graduation she studied in Europe at the University of Leipzig and the Royal Conservatory of Music. She composed scores of songs and piano selection and a one act opera. Mrs. Pray lived in Livermore, Berkeley, Chico, and Durham, California. She taught music, German and French in Cloverdale, Chico Berkeley, Fresno State Teachers College and Marysville Junior College, Oroville, and Gridley. Ada Gertrude Jordan married Lee Walker Pray in 1915. In 1920 she established the Ada Jordan Pray School of Music in Oroville. She performed throughout Butte County.

Arrangement note

Chronological

Publication Rights

The library can only claim physical ownership of the collection. Users are responsible for satisfying any claimants of literary property.

Separated Materials note

Photo of Ada Jordan Pray, cataloged in Historic Photo Collection, sc2250

Subjects and Indexing Terms

Cookery.
Music -- Instruction and study -- California.
Women composers.
Women musicians.

Box 1

Legal papers, newspaper clippings, photo album 1868-1906

Physical Description: 1.0 box
 

Folder 1 – Certificate of citizenship for Wendell Jordan. 1868.

 

Folder 2 – Marriage license for Wendell Jordan and Gertrude Beaver. 1883.

 

Folder 3 – Miscellaneous clippings from Chico and Livermore papers. 1898-1903.

 

Folder 4 – Photograph album – trip to New York State. circa 1906,

Physical Description: includes photos of Colorado, Iowa, Mississippi river, Hudson river.
Box 2

Cookbook, photo album, scrapbooks and other papers 1906-1947

Physical Description: 1.0 box
 

Folder 1 – Cookbook (handwritten). circa 1906.

 

Folder 2 – Photograph album – family pictures. 1906-1947.

 

Folder 3 – Scrapbook – Germany.

 

Folder 4 – Loose material from scrapbook.

 

Folder 5 – Miscellaneous clippings. 1906-1908.

 

Folder 6 – Miscellaneous papers (tax records, insurance, property). 1909-1917.

 

Folder 7 – Chico High School certificate. 1908.