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4455 S. King Drive, Suite 103, (Parkway Ballroom building, street level), Chicago, IL 60653

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Sherry Williams papers

Descriptive Summary

Title
Sherry Williams papers
Identifier
BMRC.BRONZEVILLE.WILLIAMS_S
Repository
Bronzeville / Black Chicagoan Historical Society
Language
English
Size
4.5 Linear feet
Dates
1935-2010
Abstract
Sherry Williams is the founder and President of the Bronzeville Historical Society. Sherry Williams papers span from 1935 through 2010 and focuses on Ms. Williams’ personal life and family history.
Language of Materials note
Materials entirely in English.
Creator
Williams, Sherry, 1960-

Acknowledgements and Access

This collection was part of the CLIR funded BMRC “Color Curtain Processing Project,” 2011-2013. For current information about the collection and its status, please contact the Bronzeville Historical Society.

Arrangement note

The Sherry Williams papers are comprised of five series: 1. Correspondence and Family Documents, 1980-2010. 2. Certificates, 1935-2007. 3. Genealogical Records/Extended Family, 1981-2010. 4. Photographs, circa 1970-2010. 5. Realia, 1988-2009.

Biographical

Sherry Williams (1960-) is the first generation of her family lineage born in Chicago. She was born and raised on the south side of Chicago in the Englewood community. Both of her parents picked cotton and were born in the Mississippi Delta. Williams is a member of Quinn Chapel African Methodist Episcopal Church, 2012 Audubon Fellow, bird conservationist, author, and activist in the Bronzeville community. She is Founder and President of the Bronzeville Black Chicagoan Historical Society.

Williams is an active member of the Afro-American Genealogical and Historical Society, Chicago Chapter, a Steering Committee member of the Southside Arts and Humanities Network, a board member of the Stephen A. Douglas Association, a member of the Amistad Commission of the State of Illinois, an institutional member of the Chicago Cultural Alliance, and member of the Historic Pullman Garden Club.

In 2010, Williams developed the Chicago Freedom Tours with the guidance of Dr. Christopher Reed and well-noted historian and educator Mrs. Glennette Tilley Turner. Funding support for the project came from the Chicago Architecture Foundation. Williams trained volunteers to provide portrayals at historic sites in Chicago where Civil War era statesmen, ministry leaders, and abolitionists supported freedom seekers on the Underground Railroad.

In 2009, Williams developed the Earl and Beverly Johnson Bird Oasis at the Pullman State Historic Site. In 2012, Williams developed an African Heritage Garden and Migratory Bird Oasis at Stephen Douglas Tomb Site. Williams received her appointment to the Amistad Commission of the State of Illinois in 2012. Williams was awarded an Audubon TogetherGreen Toyota Fellowship in May 2012; became a Timuel D. Black Fellow in 2010 and also was selected as honoree of the Chicago Chapter Friends of the Amistad Award in 2002.

Williams offers significant oral and written documentation of African and African American contributions to Chicago. Williams is the author of "100 Notable People and Places in Bronzeville." Along with her numerous educational undertakings, Williams has established memberships and associations with more than 26 other institutions and organizations.

Provenance

Collected by Sherry Williams

Scope and Contents note

The Sherry Williams Collection dates from 1935-2010 and consists of five series. The Sherry Williams papers are comprised correspondence, family documents, certificates, genealogical records, and realia. The collection contains materials related to a genealogical project that Williams compiled over the last twenty years to trace her family back to the antebellum period; photographs Williams’ personal collection of family photographs found loose without dates or original grouping; and several physical objects that belonged to the Williams Family.

Processing Information note

Processed by CLIR funded Black Metropolis Research Consortium “Color Curtain Processing Project.” Processor: Angelique Schuler.

Cited Sources

Yandell, Kate. "Connecting Chicagoans with Birds." Audubon Magazine. Audubon Magazine, 12 Dec. 2012. Web. 01 Oct. 2013.

Restrictions

None.

Preferred Citation note

When quoting material from this collection, the preferred citation is: Sherry Williams papers, [Box #, Folder #], Bronzeville Historical Society, Chicago, Illinois

Conditions Governing Use note

The collection is open for research use.

Indexed Terms

Inventory

Series I: Correspondence and Family Documents,
1980-2010
Box 1
Folder 1
Title
Correspondence, flyers from family members,
Dates
2000, undated
Box 1
Folder 2
Title
Correspondence, CPS confirmation of Sherry Williams' graduation date,
Dates
1980 February 4
Box 1
Folder 3
Title
Correspondence, to Sherry Williams, Re: Termination of Employment,
Dates
1981 September 15
Box 1
Folder 4
Title
Correspondence, from Abraham Lincoln Centre to Sherry Williams,
Dates
1982 October 23, 1983 June 10
Box 1
Folder 5
Title
Correspondence, from Sherry Williams, Re: Letter of resignation,
Dates
1984 December 12
Box 1
Folder 6
Title
Documents from Chicago Police Department,
Dates
undated
Box 1
Folder 7
Title
Job Application, Illinois Masonic Medical Center,
Dates
undated
Box 1
Folder 8
Title
Job Application, Secretary Position,
Dates
undated
Box 1
Folder 9
Title
Work Documents,
Dates
1981, undated
Box 1
Folder 10
Title
Cards to Sherry Williams (1 of 3),
Dates
circa 1980-2010
Box 1
Folder 11
Title
Cards to Sherry Williams (2 of 3),
Dates
circa 1980-2010
Box 1
Folder 12
Title
Cards to Sherry Williams (3 of 3),
Dates
circa 1980-2010
Series II: Certificates,
1935-2007
Box 1
Folder 13
Title
Marriage License, John Williams and Doris Sanders,
Dates
1935 July 6
Box 1
Folder 14
Title
Elementary School Certificate, 'Marlon Williams,'
Dates
approximately 1970 June 25
Box 1
Folder 15
Title
Certificate of Baptism for Sherry Williams,
Dates
1961 February 19
Box 1
Folder 16
Title
Middle School Diploma and Final Report Card,
Dates
1974
Box 1
Folder 17
Title
Positive Pregnancy Test from Planned Parenthood for Sherry Williams (Aja Hall),
Dates
1977 July 7
Box 1
Folder 18
Title
Baby footprints for Shaina Ray Tucker,
Dates
1988 February 7
Box 1
Folder 19
Title
Birth Certificate for Joi Lorraine Tucker,
Dates
1991 April 27
Box 1
Folder 20
Title
Homework Award for Shaina Tucker,
Dates
1994 May 25
Box 1
Folder 21
Title
Certificates of Merit for Shaina Tucker (2),
Dates
1994 June 15
Box 1
Folder 22
Title
Computer Achievement Certificate for Sherry Williams,
Dates
1995 March
Box 1
Folder 23
Title
Certificate of Scholastic Achievement for Shaina Tucker,
Dates
1997 June 11
Box 1
Folder 24
Title
Student Achievement Award for Joi Tucker,
Dates
1998 June 10
Box 1
Folder 25
Title
Science Fair Certificates of Participation for Shaina Tucker (2),
Dates
1996 December 6
Box 1
Folder 26
Title
Center for New Horizons, Certificate of Course Completion,
Dates
1998 September 10
Box 1
Folder 27
Title
Baptism invitation for Shaina and Joi Tucker,
Dates
1999 February 7
Box 1
Folder 28
Title
Certificate of Registration for Bronzeville, Black Chicago 100 Notable People and Places,
Dates
1999
Box 1
Folder 29
Title
Art Award, Shaina Tucker,
Dates
1999 June 8
Box 1
Folder 30
Title
Certificate of Completion for the study of "The Ultimate Adventure with Jesus," Aja Hall,
Dates
1999 August 20
Box 1
Folder 31
Title
Academic Excellence Award, Shaina Tucker,
Dates
2000 July 10-20
Box 1
Folder 32
Title
Certificate of Appreciation for Sherry Williams,
Dates
2007 March 28
Box 1
Folder 33
Title
Newspaper article that mentions Steven Williams,
Dates
undated
Box 1
Folder 34
Title
Illinois H4 Program, Award of Participation, Shaina Tucker,
Dates
undated
Box 1
Folder 35
Title
Report cards from Aja Hall, Shaina and Joi Tucker,
Dates
circa 1990-1999
Box 1
Folder 36
Title
Graduation brochures,
Dates
circa 1990-1999
Box 1
Folder 37
Title
Family obituaries,
Dates
circa 1980-2010
Box 1
Folder 38
Title
Family recipes,
Dates
undated
Series III: Genealogical Records/ Extended Family,
1981-2010
Box 2
Folder 1
Title
How to trace your family lineage, handouts,
Dates
undated
Box 2
Folder 2
Title
Family tree diagrams, handouts,
Dates
undated
Box 2
Folder 3
Title
Williams family census records,
Dates
1981-2010
Box 2
Folder 4
Title
Cooper family papers,
Dates
2010
Box 2
Folder 5
Title
Washington Cooper,
Dates
2010
Box 2
Folder 6
Title
John Cooper,
Dates
2010
Box 2
Folder 7
Title
Alexander Cooper,
Dates
2010
Box 2
Folder 8
Title
Nero Cooper,
Dates
2010
Box 2
Folder 9
Title
Edward Cooper,
Dates
2010
Box 2
Folder 10
Title
Booker Cooper,
Dates
2010
Box 2
Folder 11
Title
Hale family papers,
Dates
2004
Box 2
Folder 12
Title
Canterberry/ Lampley research notes,
Dates
2004
Box 2
Folder 13
Title
Sherry Williams' research notes,
Dates
circa 1990-2010
Box 2
Folder 14
Title
Sherry Williams, African heritage report,
Dates
2010 February 10
Box 2
Folder 15
Title
Printed photocopies of original documents,
Dates
undated
Series IV: Photographs,
circa 1970-2010
Box 3
Folder 1
Title
Photographs of Sherry Williams,
Dates
circa 1970-2010
Box 3
Folder 2
Title
Photographs of Aja Hall, 1 of 2,
Dates
circa 1980-2010
Box 3
Folder 3
Title
Photographs of Aja Hall, 2 of 2,
Dates
circa 1980-2010
Box 3
Folder 4
Title
Photographs of Shaina Tucker,
Dates
circa 1986-2010
Box 3
Folder 5
Title
Photographs of Joi Tucker,
Dates
circa 1988-2010
Box 3
Folder 6
Title
Photographs of Bobby Tucker,
Dates
circa 1980-2010
Box 3
Folder 7
Title
Photographs of Steve and Marlon Williams,
Dates
circa 1970-2010
Box 3
Folder 8
Title
Photographs of Sherry Williams' Family, 1 of 2,
Dates
circa 1980-2010
Box 3
Folder 9
Title
Photographs of Sherry Williams' Family, 2 of 2,
Dates
circa 1980-2010
Box 3
Folder 10
Title
Photographs of Lampley Family,
Dates
circa 1920-1970
Box 3
Folder 11
Title
Photographs of Hale Family,
Dates
circa 1920-1970
Box 4
Folder 1
Title
Photographs on vacations or at events,
Dates
circa 1980-2010
Box 4
Folder 2
Title
Sherry Williams at the King Library with Gerri Gibson,
Dates
1999
Box 4
Folder 3
Title
Photographs of Sherry Williams' friends,
Dates
circa 1980-2010
Box 4
Folder 4
Title
Photographs of Sherry Williams' co-workers,
Dates
circa 1980-2010
Box 4
Folder 5
Title
Photographs of the 4538 S. Forrestville Home,
Dates
1991-1993
Box 4
Folder 6
Title
Various Family photographs bound by tape or glue,
Dates
circa 1980-2010
Box 4
Folder 7
Title
Digital scans of family photographs,
Dates
circa 1980-2010
Box 4
Folder 8
Title
Loose negatives,
Dates
undated
Box 5
Folder N/A
Title
Oversized family photographs,
Dates
circa 1980-2010
Series V: Realia,
1988-2009
Box 5
Folder N/A
Title
Hospital bracelets,
Dates
1988, 1991
Box 5
Folder N/A
Title
D.A.R.E metals (2),
Dates
undated
Box 5
Folder N/A
Title
Graduation cap,
Dates
undated
Box 5
Folder N/A
Title
Graduation tassels,
Dates
2009
Box 5
Folder N/A
Title
Graduation tassels,
Dates
1992
Box 5
Folder N/A
Title
Bride and Groom glasses and cake topper (from Williams and Tucker wedding),
Dates
1987 September 12
Box 5
Folder N/A
Title
Shaina Tucker diploma,
Dates
2002
Box 5
Folder N/A
Title
Certificate of Appreciation for Sherry Williams,
Dates
1996
Box 5
Folder N/A
Title
Certificate of Appreciation for Sherry Williams,
Dates
1995
Box 5
Folder N/A
Title
Methodist membership and church records,
Dates
undated