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Patricia French Moyle papers

 Collection
Identifier: RH-A-4263

Scope and Contents

This collection contains various material related to Patricia French Moyle’s time attending the one-room school house, Oak Grove School in Texas Township. School documents range from 1935- 1944.

The school documents include certificates, report cards, and a diploma. Report cards and certificates show attendance, grades, work ethic, and personal achievements.

A later addition written by Patricia French Moyle and published in the 2011 Van Buren ECHOES details her memories as well as familial history at the school house. Documents feature typed and handwritten information, usually written in blue or black ink although graphite signatures occasionally occur.

Dates

  • Creation: 1935-1944

Creator

Biographical / Historical

Patricia Louise French Moyle, 1930- 2020, was born in Oshtemo to Ward French and Helen Moerdyke. She began Oak Grove School, No. 6 Fractional in 1934 with pre-primer. She attended the one room school house through eighth grade, which she completed in 1944. The French family sent multiple children to attend Oak Grove including her older sister Eleanor French Grofvert, and her younger brother Norman French. Patricia attended Mattawan Consolidated School following her time at Oak Grove. In 1952 at the age of 22 she married Harry William Moyle. Oak Grove School operated about 1863 until 1945.

Extent

.10 Cubic Feet

Language of Materials

English

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Collection was donated to the Zhang Legacy Center by Patricia Moyle’s daughter, Nancy Moyle Brock. Possible dating error on a certificate of promotion dated to 1928, indicated by donor that it should be for 1937.

Physical Description

Documents range in size from 3.5 x 6.25 in to 8.5 x 11 in. Decent overall condition, although most documents show signs of yellowing and other discoloration. Most reports and certificates of attendance still have their original envelopes which show signs of significant damage due to age and initial opening. Certificates of Promotion in particular are very fragile.

Title
Patricia French Moyle papers finding aids
Status
Completed
Author
Hannah Garrod; Stephanie Chapman
Date
2021-10-12
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin

Repository Details

Part of the Western Michigan University Archives & Regional History Collections Repository

Contact:
Charles C. and Lynn L. Zhang Legacy Collections Center
1650 Oakland Drive
Kalamazoo MI 49008-5307 US
(269) 387-8490