Administrative Information
Provenance
The papers of the Alexander Graham Bell family were given to the Library of Congress between 1947 and 1984. The main body of papers was deeded to the Library by the Bell family in 1975. Additional items were transferred from various sources in 1977. Mabel H. Grosvenor deposited material in 1976 and 1977. Additional material was purchased in 1998.
Processing History
The papers of the Alexander Graham Bell family were arranged and described in 1976. Additional material was incorporated into the collection in 1981, 1985, and 1999.
Transfers
Items have been transferred from the Manuscript Division to other custodial divisions of the Library. Some photographic prints, negatives, and other pictorial material have been transferred to the Gilbert H. Grosvenor Collection of Photographs of the Alexander Graham Bell Family in the Prints and Photographs Division. Cartographic material has been transferred to the Geography and Map Division. Music compositions have been transferred to the Music Division. All transfers are identified in these divisions as part of the Alexander Graham Bell Family Papers.
Related Material
The Grosvenor Family Papers in this division include material related to Alexander Graham Bell and his family.
Microfilm
A microfilm edition of many of Bell's scientific notebooks is available on twenty-two reels. Consult a reference librarian in the Manuscript Division concerning availability for purchase or interlibrary loan. A microfilm edition of “The Tongue” by Alexander Bell (1790-1865) is available on one reel. The microfilm consists of a negative copy and is housed in the Photoduplication Service.
Online Content
Selected items from the papers of the Alexander Graham Bell family are available on the Library of Congress Web site at http://hdl.loc.gov/loc.mss/collmss.ms000006.
Preferred Citation
Researchers wishing to cite this collection should include the following information: Container or reel number, Alexander Graham Bell Family Papers, Manuscript Division, Library of Congress, Washington, D.C.