Scope and Contents note
The Adam and Clara Groesbeck papers contain a great deal of Reverend Groesbeck's work, including newsletters, church reports, personal correspondence, sermons, special interest reports, and his diaries which cover thirteen of his thirty years in China. In her diaries Mrs. Groebeck writes almost exclusively of family matters, covering a period of eighteen years. Photographs include pictures of the missions, the Chinese people and countryside and family.
The main sources of information are Reverend Groesbeck's newsletters, reports, outgoing correspondence and diaries. These provide details of the South China Mission's organization and important issues. There is statistical information on mission growth, construction, and converts. His diaries provide a more personal look at the events in China. There is some indication in the last volumes of his diaries that he questioned the presence of Americans and all foreign missionaries in China. He became a strong advocate of turning the controls of the Christian missions over to the Chinese.
Dates
- 1897-1939
Creator
- Groesbeck, Adam, 1866- (Person)
- Groesbeck, Clara (Person)
Conditions Governing Access note
Collection is open to the public. Collection must be used in Special Collections and University Archives Reading Room. Collection or parts of collection may be stored offsite. Please contact Special Collections and University Archives in advance of your visit to allow for transportation time.
Conditions Governing Use note
Property rights reside with Special Collections and University Archives, University of Oregon Libraries. Copyright resides with the creators of the documents or their heirs. All requests for permission to publish collection materials must be submitted to Special Collections and University Archives. The reader must also obtain permission of the copyright holder.
Biographical/Historical note
Adam and Clara Groesbeck were Baptist missionaries in the Kwangtung province of South China from 1897-1927 and 1931-1935. They were first assigned to Ungkung and later to the station in Chaochowfu. They moved to their final residence in Chaoyang in 1904. Reverend Groesbeck provided religious services for a number of communities in the province and also had considerable administrative responsibilities with the South China Mission. Mrs. Groesbeck's missionary work involved teaching at the boys' school in Chaoyang.
Reverend Groesbeck was born July 23, 1866 in Iowa. He attended Rochester Theological School in Rochester, N.Y. Mrs. Groesbeck was born in N.Y. Her birthdate is not indicated. They were married on August 23, 1892. Their first child, Katherine, was born on Setember 18, 1904 at Chaochowfu and their second child, Tracy, was born July 30, 1907 at Chaoyang.
Extent
4.5 linear feet (2 containers)
Language of Materials
English
Abstract
Collection comprises newsletters, church reports, personal correspondence, sermons, special interest reports, and diaries of Adam and Clara Groesbeck, Baptist missionaries in the Kwangtung province of South China from 1897-1927 and 1931-1935.
Arrangement note
Collection is organized into the following series: CorrespondenceDiariesNotebooksWritingsLegal DocumentsReceipts and StatementsBiographical InformationTracy and Katherine GroesbeckTracy Groesbeck's account of his parents work in ChinaPhotographsMinutesBooks and PamphletsCookbooksMiscellaneousChinese Items
Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements
Glass plate negatives sorted, badly, in box 2 and 3. check please.
Other Finding Aids note
Paper finding aid with additional information avialable in Special Collections & University Archives.
General Physical Description note
3 containers
Processing Information note
Collection processed by Mary J. Finnegan.
- Baptists -- Missions -- China -- Guangdong Sheng Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- Groesbeck, Clara
- International Relations Subject Source: Archiveswest
- Missionaries Subject Source: Archiveswest
- Missionaries -- China -- Guangdong Sheng Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- Missions, American -- China -- Guangdong Sheng Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- Missions, American -- China -- Photographs Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- Religion Subject Source: Archiveswest
- Women Subject Source: Archiveswest
- Title
- Guide to the Adam and Clara Groesbeck Papers
- Status
- Complete Description
- Author
- Finding aid prepared by Mary J. Finnegan
- Date
- ©2007
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
- Language of description note
- Finding aid written in English.
- Sponsor
- Funding for encoding this finding aid was provided through a grant awarded by the National Endowment for the Humanities.
Repository Details
Part of the University of Oregon Libraries, Special Collections and University Archives Repository
