Correspondence; diaries (1900-1927), called "soulbooks"; literary manuscripts; four scrapbooks; and miscellaneous papers. The bulk of the collection consists of typescripts and manuscripts of Mighels' writings and stories. Correspondence includes letters to and from her second husband, Philip V. Mighels, an author, mainly about personal matters, including finances, real estate purchases, and literary sales. Many of the letters are from Mrs. Mighels to friends and fellow writers, often identified by first name or nickname only. Includes papers of Ark-adian Brothers and Sisters of California, a cultural and educational group for neighborhood children, established by Mighels in her home; and papers of the California Literature Society, of which Mighels was secretary. Correspondents include Ina Coolbrith, Ann Clark Hart, Clarence M. Hunt, Rockwell D. Hunt, David Starr Jordan, Carleton Kendall, James D. Phelan, Richard E. White, and League of American Pen Women. Also includes a small amount of genealogical material. Diaries include two by Mighel's daughter, Genevieve (Viva) Cummins Doan, chronicling a trip to England (1900-1901). One of the scrapbooks is organized by Mighels' first husband, Adley Cummins (1873) and contains clippings and information about his mother's death.

Ella Sterling Mighels, California pioneer, author and literary historian, was born Ella Sterling Clark in Mormon Island, the first established California gold mining camp, near Sacramento, on May 5, 1853.

13 boxes (6.5 linear feet)

Copyright has not been assigned to the California Historical Society. All requests for permission to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the Director of Research Collections. Permission for publication is given on behalf of the California Historical Society as the owner of the physical items and is not intended to include or imply permission of the copyright holder, which must also be obtained by the reader.

Collection is open for research.