Description
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.
Background
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.
Restrictions
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.