Alma Bunch Papers, 1890-1985

Gift, Alma Bunch, 1985.

The Alma Bunch Papers are open for research in the Special Collections Reading Room; 1 box at a time (Priority III).

The Alma Bunch Papers are the physical property of the Newberry Library. Copyright may belong to the authors or their legal heirs or assigns. For permission to publish or reproduce any materials from this collection, contact the Roger and Julie Baskes Department of Special Collections.

Alma Bunch Papers, The Newberry Library, Chicago.

Shannon E. Pahl, 2011.

This inventory was created with the generous support of the National Endowment for the Humanities. Any views, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this inventory do not necessarily represent those of the National Endowment for the Humanities.

Chicago woman.

Alma Louise Bunch, an only child, was born November 5th, 1891 to parents Richard Haney Bunch and Harriette Greenman Bunch. She was raised in both La Grange, IL and Hyde Park. She attended LaSell Seminary for Young Women in Auburndale, Massachusetts and graduated in 1913. There she participated in the LaSell Glee Club as both the business manager and a choir member. She never married and had no children, but maintained care for her father until his death. After her retirement from an office position, Bunch took up painting and has two oil paintings featured in Longfellow Grade School in Oak Park, IL. She died in 1986.

Photographs, correspondence, and genealogical research of Alma Bunch and her family.

There are portraits of her mother, father, extended family, and close family friends. Her father Richard Haney Bunch received correspondence between 1936 and 1964 regarding his solicitation of genealogical information from extended family. Alma Bunch also received a number of letters, most from Edward J. Bunch, Ronald L. Brown, and Lee I. Park which continue the discussion of family genealogy from 1966 to 1983. There is extensive documentation regarding small branches of the family, a compilation of the research by Edward J. Bunch, as well as a family tree. Among the items not related to genealogy are clippings, personal mementos, and a marriage certificate for Harriette and Richard Bunch. There is also a copy of a letter written to Suprey Wellington Bunch from Hillary P. Bunch in 1861 regarding his views of the Civil War and Abraham Lincoln.

Arranged alphabetically by type of material.

• Names
  • Bunch, Alma, 1891-1986 -- Family
  • Bunch, Richard
• Subject
  • Chicago
  • Families -- Illinois
  • Family Papers
  • Genealogical correspondence -- Middle West
  • Manuscripts, American -- Illinois -- Chicago
  • Women
• Geographic CoverageUnited States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865 -- Public opinion