This collection is made up of 78 incoming personal letters to Gilford L. and Henrietta McNamara from family members and friends, who wrote primarily from 1914-1927. Their most frequent correspondent was Gilford's mother, Julie McNamara, who provided news from Emmetsburg, Iowa. Other frequent writers included Gilford's sister Nellie and Henrietta's sisters Jean and Ruth. These and other correspondents lived in Iowa towns such as Emmetsburg, Ruthven, Rodman, Ayershire, and Cedar Rapids. Most of the letters concern the writers' daily social activities, which included odd jobs and events such as dances. Several of the McNamaras' siblings discussed their education. Some writers commented on local news, such as a fatal car crash (June 15, 1925) and a girl getting "cut up" (May 1, 1920). The collection includes a few letters exchanged by Gilford and Henrietta McNamara, mostly after their marriage. In the final dated letter, A. P. Myer discussed a visit to Sulphur Springs, Arkansas (November 22, 1936).
Gilford Leo McNamara was born in Independence Township, Iowa, on February 9, 1897, the son of James and Julia McNamara. His siblings included Nellie, Joseph, William, and John. Around 1920, Gilford McNamara married Henrietta Myers, the daughter of A. P. and Rachel Myers of Emmetsburg, Iowa. Her siblings included Edward, Mary, Rose, Loretta, David, George, Helena, Abbot, Regina ("Jean"), and Ruth. Gilford and Henrietta McNamara had one daughter, Maxine. They lived in multiple states in the 1920s and eventually returned to Emmetsburg, Iowa, where they lived in 1930. Gilford L. McNamara died on December 4, 1989.
