Bryan family papers
Scope and Contents
This collection contains photographs of Walter Bryan, his sister and classmates at Union High School, along with other high school ephemera. It also includes a family history written by Kathleen Bryan, describing her parents’ life growing up in Grand Rapids, Michigan and their experiences living next to Sunshine Sanatorium, a hospital for tuberculosis patients. Researchers interested in the Bryan family, specifically, or the treatment of tuberculosis... and other communicable diseases in the early 1900s will find these papers of interest.
See moreDates
- 1918 - 1975
Conditions Governing Access
This collection is open and available for researcher use.
Biographical / Historical
Walter Elliott Bryan was born in 1903, in Traverse City, Michigan, to Samuel H. Bryan (1881-1950) and Eva (Lawr) Bryan (1881-1964). Samuel and Eva also had a daughter named Loretta (1905-1983). The family relocated a number of times and ended up in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Walter graduated from Union High School in 1923.
Jeannette Sessink was born in Grand Rapids, Michigan in 1906, the daughter of John W. Sessink (1871-1942) and Anne (Kroeze) Sessink (1878-1971). The family had a farm on Fuller Avenue NE, across from Sunshine Hospital, also called Sunshine Sanatorium, a facility for tuberculosis patients. Both Jeannette’s father and grandfather, Andrew J.P. Kroeze, worked for the Grand Rapids Airplane Company during World War I.
In 1925 Walter married Jeannette and together they had two children; Kathleen A. Bryan (1927-2004) and Gerald J. Bryan (1926-1995). During the Great Depression, the family relocated to Benton Harbor, Michigan, for work. Walter died in Benton Harbor in 1976 and Jeannette passed away there in 1987.
Extent
0.25 Linear Feet (1 slim box)
Language of Materials
English
Abstract
This is a small collection of family history, photographs and school memorabilia of the Bryan family who resided in Grand Rapids, Michigan from the early 1900s to the 1930s. Kathleen A. Bryan (1927-2004), the daughter of Walter Byran (1903-1976) and Jeannette Sessink Bryan (1906-1986), donated the collection, along with a family history she wrote describing her parents childhoods and, most notably, their family's experiences living next to Sunshine Hospital, also called Sunshine Sanatorium, a facility for tuberculosis patients.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Donated by Kathleen A. Bryan (1927-2004) in 1994; Accession 1994.038
- Title
- Finding Aid for the Bryan family papers
- Status
- Completed
- Author
- Jennifer Andrew
- Date
- 2025-03-03
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
Repository Details
Part of the Grand Rapids History Center Repository
Grand Rapids Public Library
111 Library Street NE
Grand Rapids Michigan 49503 USA
616-988-5497
localhis@grpl.org