Series 1 - Correspondence

This series contains correspondence received by Fredericka (or Frieda) before, during and after her marriage to William Dale and correspondence from her children following the death of her husband in 1921. The letters prior to her marriage predominantly document the period after graduation from Queen’s University when she attempted to find employment as a teacher or companion and her courtship by William Dale. The correspondence from William Dale does not begin until January 1900 when she is in Saranac Lake, New York, and after breaking off her engagement to Jack Munro. In addition to describing his growing love for Frieda, William also describes his teaching duties at McMaster University and his family and life in St. Marys.

The correspondence after their marriage indicates that they were frequently separated, with William teaching in Toronto or at the farm in Blanschard Twp while Frieda stayed with her parents in Cornwall or Kingston. From 1905 to his death in 1921, correspondence from her husband and some Ryckman family members concerns the birth of their children, his participation in the local government in St.Marys, farming matters and trips to Toronto. There is a file of condolence letters on the death of William Dale and includes letters from Maurice Hutton, W. S. Milner (University of Toronto), and F. H. Wallace (Victoria College).

From 1923 to 1930, Margaret (“Marnay”) and then Frances (“Fran”) wrote regularly to their mother while attending the University of Toronto. These letters describe the day to day university life from a woman’s perspective – the lectures, residence life, social activities and include impressions of friends and teachers. The letters from Frances should be read in conjunction with her diaries (See Sous fonds 2, Series 1). It should be noted that there are no letters for 1929, and the 1930 letters are mainly from Frances while she worked at Jasper Park Lodge during the months of June to August and from Margaret describing her trip to Europe that same summer.