A Guide to the Ernst Walter Albert Family Papers, 1900-1970

Historical Note

Ernst Walter Albert, born in 1894 in Sublime, Texas, was the son of Anton Albert and Wilhelmine Albert gel Bonorden. Walter's ancestors, Charles and Regiene Albert, came from Alsace-Lorraine to Sublime in 1840. Walter married Madie Eleanor Simpson, who was born in 1903 in Wilson County, Texas, the child of Ava and Jessie Henry Simpson. Walter and Madie had three children: Marilyn Laverne (b. 1930), Ava June (b. 1932), and "Sonny" Kenneth B. Albert (1920-1942). The Albert children grew up in Hallettsville, Texas. The girls were active in many social functions, giving musical performances, and Marilyn Laverne was valedictorian of Hallettsville High School's 1947 graduating class. Kenneth was the first Lavaca County, Texas, youth to be killed in World War II. He died in a plane crash in Natal, Brazil, February 2, 1942, and is buried in Hallettsville Cemetery.

Scope and Contents

The bulk of the Ernst Walter Albert Family Papers is scrapbook material documenting the family life of the Alberts of Hallettsville, Texas; primarily the childhood of two of the Albert children, Marilyn Laverne (b. 1930) and Ava June (b. 1932). Manuscript and printed items describe the girls' progress from infancy through graduation from Hallettsville High School. A family history is included. More than half of the collection is family photographs of the Alberts, many of which are of Marilyn Laverne and Ava June as children and their associates as well as of the family of their mother, Madie Eleanor Simpson Albert.

Restrictions

Access Restrictions

Unrestricted access.

Administrative Information

Preferred Citation

Ernst Walter Albert Family Papers, 1900-1970, Center for American History, The University of Texas at Austin.

Detailed Description of the Papers