Corbitt Collection

Summary

Title: Corbitt Collection

Accession Number: 2012-06

Creator: Willis Gregg Corbitt (1892-1982)

Extent: 9 scanned boxes containing 465 files; additional folder of pedigree charts

Language: English

Abstract: This collection contains genealogical and family history research material focused on the Corbitt, Mitchell, Tool(e), Gregg, and associated families who settled in Jefferson County, Iowa. It includes a wealth of correspondence, copies of records, research notes, and genealogy charts. The research traces the migration of the families from their origins in England, Ireland, and Scotland. Some of the families settled in New England, later moving through Pennsylvania and Ohio before reaching Iowa. Other branches originated in Virginia and Kentucky. More recent generations settled in Washington, Oregon, and California.

The strength of this collection is in the correspondence dating from the 1930s. Mr. Corbitt kept copies of the letters he sent as well as the ones he received, giving the researcher a complete picture of the exchange. Some of the letters contain information that cannot be found in other sources, such as diary excerpts, cemetery locations, grave marker transcriptions that are no longer legible, obituaries, and personal accounts of family events.

In addition to his own research, Mr. Corbitt did research for the Genealogical Forum of Oregon and the Oregon Historical Society, including work on the Oregon Pioneer project.