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Author
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Comment
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LegendMaker
Registered User
(4/13/04 6:42 pm)
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Virginia Haviland
I am looking for a genealogical connection between myself and Virginia Haviland, my namesake, who was the first chief of the Children's Literature Center at the Library of Congress, and who was an editor of Fairy Tales and books about children's fantasy. At the very least, I am trying to find biographical information on her that might tell me if Haviland was a married name or a maiden name, where she was born, or where she died. The Encyclopedia of Fantasy says that she was born 1911 and died in 1988, but only remarks that she was a "UK writer." I suppose that might mean she is British, but I cannot confirm that. Any thoughts, let me know!
--Christopher Sirmons Haviland
havilands.com
faithandfairies.com
legendmaker.com
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janeyolen
Registered User
(4/14/04 3:29 pm)
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Virginia Haviland
I knew Virginia Haviland, and maybe she was born in the UK--that I don't know--but she was an American as far as living here forever, working in the US, and helping to shape American children's literature as both an active librarian and then being in charge of the Library of Congress' children's book section.
She was funny, acerbic, brilliant, and did not suffer fools at all. She was also gracious, never condescending, and saw her calling (as a librarian) as one of the highest callings of all. Her knowledge of American and British children's literature--and folklore in particular--was encyclopedic. It's been years since she died, but I still think of her.
Jane
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LegendMaker
Registered User
(4/14/04 5:37 pm)
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Re: Virginia Haviland
Jane, thanks for the info! Would you know if Haviland was in fact her maiden name? I am going on that theory, as I've seen letters written to her addressed "Miss Haviland," but I would need to figure this out before I proceed with any genealogical research. I am waiting to hear back from the Library of Congress on the inquiry also.
Edited by: LegendMaker at: 4/15/04 8:10 pm
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Jane
Unregistered User
(4/15/04 5:59 am)
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Sorry
I do not know whether she was Miss Haviland or Mrs. Something Else. Sorry.
Jane
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Don
Registered User
(4/15/04 7:47 am)
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Haviland's Name
The biographical resource Contemporary Authors notes of Virginia Haviland: "Born May 21, 1911, in Rochester, NY; died of a stroke, January 6, 1988, in Washington, DC; daughter of William J. and Bertha (Esten) Haviland."
Edited by: Don at: 4/15/04 7:52 am
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LegendMaker
Registered User
(4/15/04 8:06 pm)
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Re: Haviland's Name
Don -- this was very helpful, thanks! That one little piece of information was all I needed to figure out the rest. According to "John Cary the Plymouth Pilgrim" by Rev. Seth C. Cary, William J. Haviland, who married Bertha M. Esten, was a son of Edson W. Haviland & Cynthia H. Cary, who in fact are buried at a Quaker cemetery in Queensbury (Glens Falls) NY. (Originally I stated it was a cemetery only 10 minutes drive from where I live, but I had the wrong one.) Virginia and I are both descended from the "Glens Falls" branch of Havilands. I have had photos of their gravestones posted at my Havilands.com genealogical research site for a long time.
Virginia and I are 4th cousins once removed as we are both descended from my 4th great grandparents Roger Haviland & Hannah Wing, and also 6th cousins once removed as we are both descended from Benjamin Haviland and Charlotte Park.
Jane: would it be okay if I pasted your lovely remarks about Virginia Haviland into my genealogical record? And into a biographical page at my Havilands.com site?
Edited by: LegendMaker at: 4/16/04 8:45 am
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janeyolen
Registered User
(4/16/04 4:49 am)
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Re: Haviland's Name
Absolutely. They were words I never could make to Va.'s face. She wouldn't have allowed it. The talk was never about her--but about books.
Jane
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