Pattie Fitzgerald Diary

Access and use

Location of collection:
Special Collections Research Center
Earl Gregg Swem Library
College of William and Mary
400 Landrum Drive
PO 8795
Williamsburg, VA 23187-8795
Contact for questions and access:
Phone: (757) 221-3090
Fax: (757) 221-5440
Restrictions:

The collection is open to all researchers. Manuscript collections and archival records may contain materials with sensitive or confidential information that is protected under federal or state right to privacy laws and regulations, such as the Virginia Public Records Act (Code of Virginia. § 42.1-76-91); and the Virginia Freedom of Information Act (Code of Virginia § 2.2-3705.5). Confidential material may include, but is not limited to, educational, medical, and personnel records. If sensitive material is found in this collection, please contact a staff member immediately. The disclosure of personally identifiable information pertaining to a living individual may have legal consequences for which the College of William and Mary assumes no responsibility.

Terms of access:

Before reproducing or quoting from any materials, in whole or in part, permission must be obtained from the Special Collections Research Center, and the holder of the copyright, if not Swem Library.

Preferred citation:

Pattie Fitzgerald Diary, Special Collections Research Center, William & Mary Libraries.

Collection context

Summary

Extent:
0.1 Linear Feet One legal sized folder
Creator:
Fitzgerald, Pattie
Language:
English
Preferred citation:

Pattie Fitzgerald Diary, Special Collections Research Center, William & Mary Libraries.

Background

Scope and content:

A forty-seven page diary of a Virginia woman named Pattie Fitzgerald. Alongside school, courting, friends and family, Fitzgerald writes about darker things. She mentions feelings of hopelessness, a murder, and nightmares. Death is the focus of several entries.

There are two notes, one letter, and a dried posy in the front of the diary. Fitzgerald practiced signing her name, with several different last names, on the back of the front cover.

Content warnings for thoughts of suicide, mentions of murder.