A small collection of personal papers belonging to Helen Jane Hall Smith and various members of her close family, with printed papers and research notes on the history of her extended family. Personal papers of Elsmie Hall Smith (b 1882), Secretary Barclays Bank (France) Ltd.; Harvey Hall Smith (b 1880), General Manager of North of Scotland Bank, 1922 - 1943; Margaret Hall Smith (d 1913); Garden Grant Smith (1860 - 1913); artist and editor of Golf Illustrated; Dr John Hall (fl 1869 - 1870); and Anne Agnes Paterson (d 1930s) have been identified thus far. As listing progresses, other individuals may be added to this list.
Helen Smith's own papers comprise 2 boxes of miscellaneous correspondence (unsorted), 1950s - 1970s; and approximately 8 boxes of printed papers and research notes relating to her family history. Her family history research contains papers relating to John and William Smith, architects, including John Smith's role as first Aberdeen City architect, and details of the (often prestigious) commissions with which they were involved. A further 2 boxes contain correspondence, cuttings, sketches, and other personal effects of her father, Elsmie Hall Smith (b 1882). These include his army book, containing official papers regarding his appointment and decommissioning, correspondence, and postcards of war-damaged towns and cities, c 1914 - c 1918; engagement diaries, 1950s - 1960s (many gaps); and papers re. Anne Agnes Paterson's estate, 1930s, for which he was appointed receiver. The papers of her uncle, Harvey Hall Smith (1880 - 1958), who died unmarried and without issue, include trust papers relating to his estate, correspondence and miscellanea (such as passports, bank pass books). An album of postcards sent from friends and family to her aunt Margaret Hall Smith (d 1913), whilst a patient at Nordrach-on-Dee Sanatorium, Banchory (now Glen O' Dee Hospital) is also included in the collection.
The papers of Garden Grant Smith extend to 5 boxes of correspondence, newspaper cuttings, notebooks, sketchbooks, photographs, postcards, and miscellanea. They include his diary for 1892 (with printed transcript); scrapbook containing reviews of his exhibitions, c 1891 - c 1895, and cuttings from and articles written for various golfing magazines, c 1897 - c 1898; memoranda of agreement, 28 Mar 1890, and associated correspondence, 1889 - 1890, re. engravings of Luxembourg Palace, Paris, which Smith had commissioned Michael Haider, of Paris, to produce for publication and sale, 1890.
Lecture notes taken by Dr John Hall, whilst a student at the University of Aberdeen, 1869 - 1870 have also been identified.