Family & Social Life

Donations to the Museum have preserved irreplaceable evidence about generations of ordinary Americans. Objects from the Copp household of Stonington, Connecticut, include many items used by a single family from 1740 to 1850. Other donations have brought treasured family artifacts from jewelry to prom gowns. These gifts and many others are all part of the Museum's family and social life collections.

Children's books and Sunday school lessons, tea sets and family portraits also mark the connections between members of a family and between families and the larger society. Prints, advertisements, and artifacts offer nostalgic or idealized images of family life and society in times past. And the collections include a few modern conveniences that have had profound effects on American families and social life, such as televisions, video games, and personal computers.

Ma Rainey. side 1: Dream Blues; side 2: Lost Wandering Blues (Paramount 12098).78 rpm.Currently not on view
Description
Ma Rainey. side 1: Dream Blues; side 2: Lost Wandering Blues (Paramount 12098).
78 rpm.
Location
Currently not on view
recording date
1924
recording artist
Rainey, Ma
manufacturer
Paramount
ID Number
1996.0320.17581
accession number
1996.0320
maker number
12098
catalog number
1996.0320.17581
Bob Crosby and his Orchestra. side 1: Ec-Stacy; side 2: Chain Gang (Decca DU 40145).78 rpm.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
Bob Crosby and his Orchestra. side 1: Ec-Stacy; side 2: Chain Gang (Decca DU 40145).
78 rpm.
Location
Currently not on view
recording date
1942
recording artist
Bob Crosby and his Orchestra
manufacturer
Decca
ID Number
1978.0670.213
accession number
1978.0670
catalog number
1978.0670.213
maker number
DU 40145
Duke Ellington and his Famous Orchestra. side 1: Drop Me Off at Harlem; side 2: Merry-Go-Round (Columbia 35837), from the album, Hot Jazz Classics - Duke Ellington (Columbia C-38).78 rpm. Side 1 was originally recorded in 1933 and released on Brunswick 6527.
Description
Duke Ellington and his Famous Orchestra. side 1: Drop Me Off at Harlem; side 2: Merry-Go-Round (Columbia 35837), from the album, Hot Jazz Classics - Duke Ellington (Columbia C-38).
78 rpm. Side 1 was originally recorded in 1933 and released on Brunswick 6527. Side 2 was dubbed from the original 1933 recording. The album was released in 1940.
Location
Currently not on view
recording date
1933
release date
1940
recording artist
Duke Ellington and his Famous Orchestra
manufacturer
Columbia
ID Number
1978.0670.490
maker number
35837
C-38
accession number
1978.0670
catalog number
1978.0670.490
Bunny Berigan and his Blue Boys. side 1: You Took Advantage of Me; side 2: Chicken and Waffles (Decca 18117), from the album, Gemsof Jazz, Vol. 2 (Decca A-201).78 rpm. Both tracks were recorded in 1935. This album was released in 1941.Currently not on view
Description
Bunny Berigan and his Blue Boys. side 1: You Took Advantage of Me; side 2: Chicken and Waffles (Decca 18117), from the album, Gemsof Jazz, Vol. 2 (Decca A-201).
78 rpm. Both tracks were recorded in 1935. This album was released in 1941.
Location
Currently not on view
recording date
1935
release date
1941
recording artist
Bunny Berigan and his Blue Boys
manufacturer
Decca
ID Number
1978.0670.548
accession number
1978.0670
maker number
18117
A-201
catalog number
1978.0670.548
side 1: Lyn Murray and his Orchestra with Audrey Marsh. I'm Wishing; side 2: Lyn Murray and his Orchestra with Harrison Knox. One Song (Decca 23328), from the album, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (Decca A-368).78 rpm.Currently not on view
Description
side 1: Lyn Murray and his Orchestra with Audrey Marsh. I'm Wishing; side 2: Lyn Murray and his Orchestra with Harrison Knox. One Song (Decca 23328), from the album, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (Decca A-368).
78 rpm.
Location
Currently not on view
recording date
1944
recording artist
Lyn Murray and his Orchestra
Marsh, Audrey
Knox, Harrison
manufacturer
Decca
ID Number
1979.1023.116
accession number
1979.1023
maker number
23328
A-368
catalog number
1979.1023.116
Doc Evans Ensemble. side 1: Fidgety Feet; side 2: Clarinet Marmalade (Disc 6071), from the album, Doc Evans' Dixieland Five (Disc).78 rpm.Album cover illustration was by David Stone Martin (born David Livingstone Martin, 1913-1992).
Description

Doc Evans Ensemble. side 1: Fidgety Feet; side 2: Clarinet Marmalade (Disc 6071), from the album, Doc Evans' Dixieland Five (Disc).
78 rpm.

Album cover illustration was by David Stone Martin (born David Livingstone Martin, 1913-1992). Martin was an American artist best known for his illustrations on jazz album covers for labels including Mercury, Asch, Disc, and Dial. Many of his commissions were from Martin’s longtime friend, American jazz record producer and concert promoter Norman Granz (1918-2001).

Location
Currently not on view
recording date
1947
recording artist
Doc Evans Ensemble
artist
Martin, David Stone
manufacturer
Disc
ID Number
1978.0670.603
accession number
1978.0670
maker number
6071
catalog number
1978.0670.603
Sharky Bonano and his Kings Of Dixieland. side 1: Milenberg Joys; side 2: I Like Bananas (Because They Have No Bones) (Dixieland D-1002).78 rpm.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
Sharky Bonano and his Kings Of Dixieland. side 1: Milenberg Joys; side 2: I Like Bananas (Because They Have No Bones) (Dixieland D-1002).
78 rpm.
Location
Currently not on view
recording date
1949
recording artist
Sharkey Bonano and his Kings of Dixieland
manufacturer
Dixieland
ID Number
1978.0670.241
maker number
D-1002
accession number
1978.0670
catalog number
1978.0670.141
The Muppets. The Frog Prince (Columbia CC23530)33-1/3 rpmCurrently not on view
Description (Brief)
The Muppets. The Frog Prince (Columbia CC23530)
33-1/3 rpm
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1971
performer
Henson, Jim
maker
Columbia
ID Number
2005.0298.04
accession number
2005.0298
maker number
CC23530
catalog number
2005.0298.04
side 1: Joe Sullivan Quartet. Panama; side 2: Joe Sullivan. The Chimes (Disc 6004), from the album, Joe Sullivan Quartet (Disc 701).78 rpm.Album cover illustration was by David Stone Martin (born David Livingstone Martin, 1913-1992).
Description

side 1: Joe Sullivan Quartet. Panama; side 2: Joe Sullivan. The Chimes (Disc 6004), from the album, Joe Sullivan Quartet (Disc 701).
78 rpm.

Album cover illustration was by David Stone Martin (born David Livingstone Martin, 1913-1992). Martin was an American artist best known for his illustrations on jazz album covers for labels including Mercury, Asch, Disc, and Dial. Many of his commissions were from Martin’s longtime friend, American jazz record producer and concert promoter Norman Granz (1918-2001).

Location
Currently not on view
recording date
1945
recording artist
Sullivan, Joe
Joe Sullivan Quartet
artist
Martin, David Stone
manufacturer
Disc
ID Number
1978.0670.600
accession number
1978.0670
maker number
6004
701
catalog number
1978.0670.600
side 1: The Baby Dodds Trio. Albert's Blues; side 2: Don Ewell and Baby Dodds.
Description

side 1: The Baby Dodds Trio. Albert's Blues; side 2: Don Ewell and Baby Dodds. Manhattan Stomp (Circle J-1002) from the album, A Session With Baby Dodds (Circle S-17).
78 rpm.

Album design was by Jimmy Ernst (born Hans-Ulrich Ernst, 1920-1984), a German-born American painter.

Location
Currently not on view
recording date
1946
recording artist
Baby Dodds Trio
Dodds, Baby
Ewell, Don
manufacturer
Circle
ID Number
1978.0670.473
maker number
J-1002
S-17
accession number
1978.0670
catalog number
1978.0670.473
Teddy Wilson. side 1: I Can't Get Started; side 2: I Know That You Know (Columbia 36633), from the album, Teddy Willson and His Piano (Columbia C-93).78 rpm. Both tracks were recorded in 1941. This album was released in 1942.Currently not on view
Description
Teddy Wilson. side 1: I Can't Get Started; side 2: I Know That You Know (Columbia 36633), from the album, Teddy Willson and His Piano (Columbia C-93).
78 rpm. Both tracks were recorded in 1941. This album was released in 1942.
Location
Currently not on view
recording date
1941
release date
1942
recording artist
Wilson, Teddy
manufacturer
Columbia
ID Number
1978.0670.511
maker number
36633
C-93
accession number
1978.0670
catalog number
1978.0670.511
Sophie Tucker. side 1: You've Got to Be Loved to Be Healthy; side 2: The Older They Get the Younger They Want 'Em (Decca 23420), from the album, Sophie Tucker (Decca A-396).78 rpm. Both tracks were recorded in 1944. This album was released in 1945.Currently not on view
Description
Sophie Tucker. side 1: You've Got to Be Loved to Be Healthy; side 2: The Older They Get the Younger They Want 'Em (Decca 23420), from the album, Sophie Tucker (Decca A-396).
78 rpm. Both tracks were recorded in 1944. This album was released in 1945.
Location
Currently not on view
recording date
1944
release date
1945
recording artist
Tucker, Sophie
manufacturer
Decca
ID Number
1979.1023.117
accession number
1979.1023
maker number
23420
A-396
catalog number
1979.1023.117
Richard Dyer-Bennet. side 1: The Willow Tree; side 2: Villikens and His Dinah (Decca 24210), from the album, Richard Dyer-Bennet - 20th Century Minstrel (Decca 573).78 rpm. Side 1 was recorded in 1944. Side 2 was recorded in 1945.
Description
Richard Dyer-Bennet. side 1: The Willow Tree; side 2: Villikens and His Dinah (Decca 24210), from the album, Richard Dyer-Bennet - 20th Century Minstrel (Decca 573).
78 rpm. Side 1 was recorded in 1944. Side 2 was recorded in 1945. This album was released in 1948.
Location
Currently not on view
recording date
1944
1945
release date
1948
recording artist
Dyer-Bennet, Richard
manufacturer
Decca
ID Number
1996.0320.05098
maker number
24210
573
accession number
1996.0320
catalog number
1996.0320.05098
Savannah Churchill. side 1: The Gypsy Was Wrong; side 2: Just Whisper (Decca 29262).78 rpm.Currently not on view
Description
Savannah Churchill. side 1: The Gypsy Was Wrong; side 2: Just Whisper (Decca 29262).
78 rpm.
Location
Currently not on view
recording date
1954
recording artist
Churchill, Savannah
composer
Crane, Jimmie
Jacobs, Al
Jaffe, Moe
Reichner, Bickley
manufacturer
Decca
ID Number
1996.0153.08722
catalog number
1996.0153.08722
label number
29262
accession number
1996.0153
various artists. side 1: Mordido [part 3]; side 2: Mordido [part 4] (Mercury 11015), from the album, Norman Granz' Jazz at the Philharmonic, Vol. 9. 78 rpm.The cover art for this album was by David Stone Martin (born David Livingstone Martin, 1913-1992).
Description

various artists. side 1: Mordido [part 3]; side 2: Mordido [part 4] (Mercury 11015), from the album, Norman Granz' Jazz at the Philharmonic, Vol. 9.
78 rpm.

The cover art for this album was by David Stone Martin (born David Livingstone Martin, 1913-1992). Martin was an American artist best known for his illustrations on jazz album covers for labels including Mercury, Asch, Clef, Disc, and Dial. Many of his commissions were from Martin’s longtime friend, American jazz record producer and concert promoter Norman Granz (1918-2001).

Location
Currently not on view
recording date
1947
recording artist
Jacquet, Illinois
Phillips, Flip
Harris, Bill
McGhee, Howard
Jones, Jo
Brown, Ray
Jones, Hank
manufacturer
Mercury
ID Number
1978.0670.626
accession number
1978.0670
maker number
11015
MERCURY VOL. 9
catalog number
1978.0670.626
Charlie and Ray. side 1: My Lovin' Baby; side 2: Take a Look At Me (Herald H-447).78 rpm.Currently not on view
Description
Charlie and Ray. side 1: My Lovin' Baby; side 2: Take a Look At Me (Herald H-447).78 rpm.
Location
Currently not on view
release date
1955
recording artist
Charlie and Ray
composer
Jones, Charles
manufacturer
Herald
ID Number
1996.0153.08702
catalog number
1996.0153.08702
label number
H-447
accession number
1996.0153
The Southernaires. side 1: Couldn't Hear Nobody Pray; side 2: Steal Away to Jesus (Decca 2856), from the album, The Southernaires in a Recital of Spirituals (Decca 83).78 rpm.Currently not on view
Description
The Southernaires. side 1: Couldn't Hear Nobody Pray; side 2: Steal Away to Jesus (Decca 2856), from the album, The Southernaires in a Recital of Spirituals (Decca 83).
78 rpm.
Location
Currently not on view
recording date
1939
recording artist
Southernaires
manufacturer
Decca
ID Number
1996.0320.05286
maker number
2856
83
accession number
1996.0320
catalog number
1996.0320.05286
Frank Luther and Zora Layman.
Description
Frank Luther and Zora Layman. side 1: Christmas Day in the Morning [track 1] They Come with Blissful Sing [track 2] Baby's Night [track 3]; side 2: Gos Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen [track 1] Old Christmas [track 2] Cradle Song of the Virgin [track 3] (Decca 2863), from the album, Christmas in Song, Volume 1 (Decca 94).
78 rpm.
Location
Currently not on view
recording date
1939
recording artist
Luther, Frank
Layman, Zora
manufacturer
Decca
ID Number
1996.0320.05175
maker number
2863
94
accession number
1996.0320
catalog number
1996.0320.05175
Gene Autry. side 1: Mexicali Rose; side 2: South of the Border (Down Mexico Way) (Columbia 37185), from the album, Gene Autry's Western Classics (Columbia C 120).78 rpm.Currently not on view
Description
Gene Autry. side 1: Mexicali Rose; side 2: South of the Border (Down Mexico Way) (Columbia 37185), from the album, Gene Autry's Western Classics (Columbia C 120).
78 rpm.
Location
Currently not on view
recording date
1946
release date
1947
recording artist
Autry, Gene
manufacturer
Columbia
ID Number
1996.0320.05057
maker number
37185
C 120
accession number
1996.0320
catalog number
1996.0320.05057
Mack Allen. side 1: A Warning to Boys; side 2: A Warning to Girls (Harmony 729-H)78 rpmMack Allen is a pseudonym on Harmony for Vernon Dalhart.Harmony Records was a division of Columbia Records from 1925 to 1932.
Description

Mack Allen. side 1: A Warning to Boys; side 2: A Warning to Girls (Harmony 729-H)
78 rpm

Mack Allen is a pseudonym on Harmony for Vernon Dalhart.

Harmony Records was a division of Columbia Records from 1925 to 1932. It was a budget label that was comprised of original recordings identical to that of Columbia’s other budget labels, Velvet Tone Records and Diva Records.

Location
Currently not on view
recording date
1928
recording artist
Allen, Mack
Dalhart, Vernon
manufacturer
Harmony
ID Number
1996.0320.10445
collector/donor number
12912
maker number
729-H
accession number
1996.0320
catalog number
1996.0320.10445
J. Stratton Shufelt. side 1: Overshadowed; side 2: The Old Ship Zion (Fellowship Music FM 019/020), from the album, Strat Sings (Fellowship Music 1).78 rpm.Currently not on view
Description
J. Stratton Shufelt. side 1: Overshadowed; side 2: The Old Ship Zion (Fellowship Music FM 019/020), from the album, Strat Sings (Fellowship Music 1).
78 rpm.
Location
Currently not on view
recording artist
Shufelt, J. Stratton
manufacturer
Fellowship Music
ID Number
1996.0320.05267
maker number
FM 019/020
FM 1
accession number
1996.0320
catalog number
1996.0320.05267
side 1: Lyn Murray and his Orchestra. Whistle While You Work; side 2: Lyn Murray and his Orchestra with Evelyn Knight and Andy Love Four.
Description
side 1: Lyn Murray and his Orchestra. Whistle While You Work; side 2: Lyn Murray and his Orchestra with Evelyn Knight and Andy Love Four. Bluddle-Uddle-Um-Dum (The Washing Song) (Decca 23327), from the album, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (Decca A-368).
78 rpm.
Location
Currently not on view
recording date
1944
recording artist
Lyn Murray and his Orchestra
Knight, Evelyn
Andy Love Four
manufacturer
Decca
ID Number
1979.1023.115
accession number
1979.1023
maker number
23327
A-368
catalog number
1979.1023.115
F. Carlton Booth. side 1: Singing; side 2: Gethsemane (Singspiration 1040), from the album, Singing (Singspiration 4). 78 rpm.Currently not on view
Description
F. Carlton Booth. side 1: Singing; side 2: Gethsemane (Singspiration 1040), from the album, Singing (Singspiration 4).
78 rpm.
Location
Currently not on view
release date
ca 1947
recording artist
Booth, F. Carlton
manufacturer
Singspiration
ID Number
1996.0320.05025
maker number
1040
4
accession number
1996.0320
catalog number
1996.0320.05025
Johnny Otis Orchestra. side 1: Turkey Hop [part 1]; side 2: Turkey Hop [part 2] (Savoy 732).78 rpm.Currently not on view
Description
Johnny Otis Orchestra. side 1: Turkey Hop [part 1]; side 2: Turkey Hop [part 2] (Savoy 732).
78 rpm.
Location
Currently not on view
recording date
1950
recording artist
Johnny Otis Orchestra
manufacturer
Savoy
ID Number
1991.0305.250
maker number
732
catalog number
1991.0305.250
accession number
1991.0305

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