1893_3-19-March 2001-munroe copy.jpg

Austen Family Papers (MS1) - Alice Austen Correspondence Collection, 1893-1898

PI

Version: 16 (current) | Updated: 12/9/2025, 9:55:41 PM | Created: 12/9/2025, 7:30:09 PM

Added description

Description

Fanny Blanchard Correspondence Collection (April 10, 1893)

Overview

This archival unit contains a single handwritten letter written by Fanny Blanchard to Elizabeth Alice Austen on 10 April 1893. The item is preserved as two high‑resolution JPEG scans of the original page, each accompanied by an OCR‑derived transcription and a metadata record in the PINAX system. The collection is part of the Austen Family Papers (MS 1) housed at the Alice Austen House Museum in Staten Island, New York.

Background

Fanny Blanchard was a resident of Staten Island and a close friend of the pioneering photographer Alice Austen. The letter reflects everyday Victorian social customs, including church attendance and the use of private transportation for social obligations. It was digitized by the museum to provide researchers with access to the Austen family’s personal network and the broader cultural milieu of the 1890s.

Contents

  • Two JPEG scans (file names: 18934‑10‑April 1.1‑blanchard copy.jpg and 18934‑10‑April 1.2‑blanchard copy.jpg) of the handwritten letter.
  • OCR‑extracted text that reproduces the letter’s content, including Blanchard’s apology for missing church due to a headache caused by a gas leak, arrangements for transportation with driver Mooren, and a $2.00 payment.
  • Metadata JSON detailing author, recipient, date, language, and subject tags such as Correspondence, Personal letters, Victorian‑era social life, Church events, Health issues.
  • PINAX reference file linking the collection to the broader Austen Family Papers.

Scope

The collection is limited to a single dated letter from 10 April 1893. It does not include replies, envelopes, or additional documents. The material provides a snapshot of Victorian social life on Staten Island, illustrating personal communication, health concerns, and transportation arrangements within the Austen family’s network. The item is publicly accessible through the Alice Austen House Museum’s digital repository.

Raw Cheimarros Data

@austen_family_papers:collection {title: "Austen Family Papers (MS1) – Alice Austen Correspondence Collection", creator: [@alice_austen, @julia_t_martin, @elizabeth_strong, @helen_randall, @adele_brown, @lou_alexander_richards, @henry_gilman, @ralph_munroe, @william_h_wright, @fanny_blanchard], institution: @alice_austen_house, date_range: {start: @date_1893, end: @date_1898}, subjects: ["Correspondence","Personal letters","Social life","Photography","Family matters","Music","Victorian era","Staten Island","Albany","World's Columbian Exposition","Dance","Costume design","Church events","Gifts","Christmas","New Brunswick","Brooklyn","Washington","Bennington Centre","Cambridge, Massachusetts","London, UK","Funeral","Invitation","Mary T. T. Ripley","Clifton","Tea","Kites","Travel","Newspaper","The Evening Post","Health issues","Gas leak"]}

@file_pinax -> documents -> @austen_family_papers:collection

@date_1893_04_12

@unknown_sender_2:person {description: "sender of a 12 April 1893 letter to Alice Austen"}

@letter_1893_04_12:document {date: @date_1893_04_12, source_file: @file_1893_4_12_apr_3001_copy_jpg, from: @unknown_sender_2, to: @alice_austen, location: @rosebank, content: "Miss E. H. Austen, Rosebank P.O., Staten Island, N.Y."}

@austen_family_papers:collection -> includes -> @letter_1893_04_12:document

@letter_1893_03_19 -> mentions -> @rosebank:place {note: "Address appears in OCR text of @file_1893_3_19_munroe_copy_jpg"}

@julia_t_martin -> appears in -> @alice_austen_envelopes_and_calling_cards:collection

@elizabeth_strong -> appears in -> @alice_austen_envelopes_and_calling_cards:collection

@adele_brown -> appears in -> @alice_austen_envelopes_and_calling_cards:collection

@lou_alexander_richards -> appears in -> @alice_austen_envelopes_and_calling_cards:collection

@henry_gilman -> appears in -> @alice_austen_envelopes_and_calling_cards:collection

@ralph_munroe -> appears in -> @alice_austen_envelopes_and_calling_cards:collection

@william_h_wright -> appears in -> @alice_austen_envelopes_and_calling_cards:collection

@fanny_blanchard -> appears in -> @alice_austen_envelopes_and_calling_cards:collection

@photography_business:concept -> discussed in -> [@letter_1893_12_02_jtm, @letter_1893_12_31_jtm_5003, @letter_1893_12_28_strong, @letter_1893_03_15_strong_part1, @letter_1893_03_16_1, @letter_1893_03_16_2, @letter_1893_04_12]

@worlds_columbian_exposition:event -> referenced by -> [@letter_1893_12_02_jtm, @letter_1893_12_31_jtm_5003, @letter_1893_03_16_1, @letter_1893_03_16_2, @letter_1893_03_20_1, @letter_1893_03_20_2, @letter_1893_03_16_1, @letter_1893_03_16_2]

@music:concept -> mentioned in -> [@letter_1893_03_20_1, @letter_1893_03_20_2, @letter_1893_03_15_strong_part1, @letter_1893_03_15_strong_part2]

@easter:event -> mentioned in -> [@letter_1893_03_20_1, @letter_1893_03_16_1]

@church:concept -> discussed in -> [@letter_1893_04_10, @letter_1893_03_20_2]

@health_issues:concept -> appears in -> @letter_1893_04_10

@gas_leak:concept -> appears in -> @letter_1893_04_10

@travel:concept -> referenced by -> @letter_1893_03_16_1, @letter_1893_03_16_2

@newspaper:concept -> referenced by -> @letter_1893_03_24_wright_to_austen

@the_evening_post:publication -> referenced by -> @letter_1893_03_24_wright_to_austen

@victorian_social_life:concept -> overarching theme of @austen_family_papers:collection

@alice_austen -> central figure of -> @austen_family_papers:collection

@alice_austen -> participated in -> @worlds_columbian_exposition:event {role: "photographer", year: @date_1893}

Metadata

Title
Austen Family Papers (MS1) - Alice Austen Correspondence Collection, 1893-1898
Type
Collection
Creator
Alice AustenJulia T. MartinElizabeth B. StrongHelen Constance RandallAdele BrownLou Alexander RichardsHenry GilmanRalph MunroeWm. H. WrightFanny Blanchard
Institution
Alice Austen House
Created
1893-1898
Language
en
Subjects
Correspondence, Personal letters, Social life, Photography, Family matters, Music, Victorian era, Staten Island, Albany, World's Columbian Exposition, Dance, Costume design, Church events, Gifts, Christmas, New Brunswick, Brooklyn, Washington, Bennington Centre, Cambridge, Massachusetts, London, UK, Funeral, Invitation, Mary T. T. Ripley, Clifton, Tea, Kites, Travel, Newspaper, The Evening Post, Health issues, Gas leak
Rights
Public Domain
Place
Staten Island, NY, Albany, NY, Bennington Centre, New Brunswick, Brooklyn, Washington, Cambridge, Massachusetts, London, UK, Clifton, Staten Island, New York, NY, Richmond Co.
Source
PINAX

Files (2)

1893_3-19-March 2001-munroe copy.jpgJPEG
336.94 KB
OCR Text

Miss Alice Austen Rosebank P.O. Richmond Co. New York

1893_4-12-Apr 3001 copy.jpgJPEG
351.83 KB
OCR Text

Miss E. H. Austen, Rosebank P.O., Staten Island, N.Y.

Version History (10 versions)

  • ✓ v16 (current) · 12/9/2025, 9:55:41 PM
    "Added description"
  • v15 · 12/9/2025, 9:18:41 PM · View this version
    "Added knowledge graph extraction"
  • v14 · 12/9/2025, 8:00:36 PM · View this version
    "Added PINAX metadata"
  • v13 · 12/9/2025, 7:33:48 PM · View this version
    "Reorganized into 11 groups"
  • v12 · 12/9/2025, 7:33:47 PM · View this version
    "Added child entity 01KC29P1BRYNK0RD6JSFF7HSWB"
  • v11 · 12/9/2025, 7:33:46 PM · View this version
    "Added child entity 01KC29NZW5YVMEZ761JCFRWCP4"
  • v10 · 12/9/2025, 7:33:44 PM · View this version
    "Added child entity 01KC29NYJ9PQ9QRS9VJC1B5ZCK"
  • v9 · 12/9/2025, 7:33:43 PM · View this version
    "Added child entity 01KC29NX6KQ4429QZQB7VPNXXB"
  • v8 · 12/9/2025, 7:33:41 PM · View this version
    "Added child entity 01KC29NVR2GCBQ1Y6YCYAAXXBW"
  • v7 · 12/9/2025, 7:33:40 PM · View this version
    "Added child entity 01KC29NTCSSQFJK6G06NXK37HY"

More versions available (pagination not yet implemented)

Additional Components

reorganization-description.txt
# Reorganization Summary

Files were organized primarily by correspondent, with secondary grouping by document type (letters vs. envelopes/calling cards). The Julia Martin and Elizabeth Strong correspondence formed the largest groups, reflecting their frequent communication with Alice Austen. Smaller groups were created for other regular correspondents. Envelopes and calling cards were separated into their own group as they contain different content types. The funeral invitation was given its own group due to its unique nature. Two files remained ungrouped as they didn't clearly fit with other correspondence groups.

## Groups Created

- **Julia Martin Correspondence**: Letters from Julia Martin to Alice Austen, discussing personal matters, social events, and photography business
- **Elizabeth Strong Correspondence**: Letters from Elizabeth Strong discussing social events, photography, and personal matters
- **Helen Randall Correspondence**: Letters from Helen Constance Randall discussing music, social events, and personal updates
- **Adele Brown Correspondence**: Letter from Adele Brown regarding dance invitations and costumes
- **Lou Alexander Richards Correspondence**: Letter from Lou Alexander Richards inviting Alice to visit
- **Envelopes and Calling Cards**: Address-only files and envelopes without letter content
- **Funeral Invitation**: Invitation to Mary Ripley's funeral
- **Henry Gilman Correspondence**: Letter from Henry Gilman with personal notes
- **Ralph Munroe Correspondence**: Letter from Ralph Munroe discussing photography
- **William Wright Correspondence**: Letter from William Wright with personal notes
- **Fanny Blanchard Correspondence**: Letter from Fanny Blanchard regarding church arrangements

Parent

↑ 01KC26223WA5M1KG4GAZMXEZBW

Children (11)