Dumas family papers
Collection Overview
Miscellaneous papers and ephemera documenting the Dumas family from 1927 to 1957. Papers include WW II ration books, school certificates, Camp Blue Star photos and paperwork, an NCJW bulletin, programs from Synagogue Emanu-El and Friendship Lodge No. 9, War Department paperwork, and newspaper clippings.
Dates
- Creation: 1927-1957
Creator
- Dumas family (Family)
Language of Material
Materials in English.
Access Restrictions
This collection has been minimally processed, but is open for research.
Copyright Notice
The nature of the College of Charleston's archival holdings means that copyright or other information about restrictions may be difficult or even impossible to determine despite reasonable efforts. Special Collections claims only physical ownership of most archival materials.
The materials from our collections are made available for use in research, teaching, and private study, pursuant to U.S. copyright law. The user must assume full responsibility for any use of the materials, including but not limited to, infringement of copyright and publication rights of reproduced materials. Any materials used for academic research or otherwise should be fully credited with the source.
Biographical Note
Mendel Dumas (1875-1962) and Esther Read Dumas (1879-1949) emigrated from Lithuania to South Carolina around 1900. In 1917, Mendel purchased a pawnshop in Charleston at 220 King Street, eventually converting the business into the men’s clothing store, M. Dumas and Sons. His sons would take over the business in 1947. The couple had five children: Lenora Dumas Goldberg (1907-1993), Mary Dumas Schiff (1911-1974), Abe Dumas (1913-1998), Joe Dumas (1913-1990), and Yetta Dumas Levkoff (1916-2007). Initially members of the Brith Sholom Beth Israel Synagogue, they later joined the Conservative Synagogue Emanu-El after World War II.
Full Extent
0.25 linear feet (1 slim document box, 1 oversize paper folder)
Abstract
Assorted papers and ephemera documenting the Dumas family, founders and owners of M. Dumas & Sons, from 1927 to 1957.
Acquisitions Information
Materials donated in 2017 by Elisabeth Turner.
Separated Material
Published materials that were originally part of the collection have been removed and cataloged separately.
Processing Information
This collection has been minimally processed, but is open for research.
Processing Information
Minimally processed by Josh Minor, July 2025. At the point of acquisition, this collection contained no original order. For preservation purposes, the collection was re-housed upon receipt by transferring materials into acid-free boxes and placing loose materials into acid-free folders. This finding aid may be updated periodically to account for new acquisitions to the collection and/or revisions in arrangement and description.
- Title
- Inventory of the Dumas Family Papers, 1927-1957
- Status
- Minimal Record
- Author
- Minimally processed by: Josh Minor ; finding aid created by: Josh Minor
- Description rules
- Dacs
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
Repository Details
Part of the Special Collections Repository
Special Collections
College of Charleston Libraries
66 George Street
Charleston South Carolina 29424
(843) 953-8016
(843) 953-6319 (Fax)