The Belkofer Family Letters: Carter/Martin/Morgan Families (Kelley's Island, Ohio) collection

The Belkofer Family Letters consist of thirty letters from the Carter, Martin, and Morgan Families who were all associated with Kelley's Island, Ohio. The collection's name comes from the donor who is a relative of the authors of the letters. The letters range in date from 1851 to 1892, as well as some which are undated or whose dates are difficult to read.

The letters give insight into the struggles and successes of a family living during the 19th century. Many of their problems correspond with those we face today: births, deaths, illness, financial problems, family relationships, and specific to this collection, the struggle to build a farm in Missouri. Also expressed in the letters of J.F. Martin (Sept. 8, 1863 and Jan 31, 1864 from London, Ontario) is concern about being drafted during the Civil War, with reference to a visit by Vallandigham to Canada. One learns general things about life at this time; the prices of store bought items, the entertainments that people took part in, what sorts of jobs and careers people worked at and what they were like, etc. There are several receipts interfiled with the letters, which give the actual prices for several different items.

Overall this collection gives one insight into the everyday life of an American family. Unfortunately some of the materials are undated, and even though an attempt has been made to transcribe some of the less legible letters, the handwriting is still sometimes difficult to read and only photocopies of the letters are available.