Conditions Governing Reproduction and Use

The copyright status of this collection is unknown. Copyright restrictions may apply. Contact Special Collections and University Archives for assistance in determining the use of these materials.

Reproduction or digitization of materials for personal or research use can be requested using our reproduction/digitization form: http://bit.ly/scuareproduction . Reproduction or digitization of materials for publication or exhibit use can be requested using our publication/exhibition form: http://bit.ly/scuapublication . Please contact Special Collections and University Archives (specref@vt.edu or 540-231-6308) if you need assistance with forms or to submit a completed form.

Conditions Governing Access

The collection is open to research.

Preferred Citation

Researchers wishing to cite this collection should include the following information: [identification of item], [box], [folder], Porterfield Family Papers, Ms1990-077, Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Va.

Source of Acquisition

The Porterfield Family Papers were donated to Special Collections and University Archives in 1990.

Processing Information

The processing and description of the Porterfield Family Papers commenced and was completed in September, 2022.

Biographical Note

William Lewis Porterfield, son of James and Adelia Austin Atkins Porterfield, was born in Newport (Giles County), Virginia on July 27, 1898. In the 1920 census, he is described as a farm laborer, living in the home of his older brother, Douglas. In 1924, he married Florence Mae Wren (1909-1997); the couple would have nine children. The 1930 federal census lists the Porterfields among the residents of Harlan County, Kentucky, where William was employed as a railroad carpenter. By 1935, the family had returned to Giles County, and the census for 1940 shows William Porterfield working as a highway bridge carpenter. William L. Porterfield died in Roanoke, Virginia, on December 13, 1964, and was buried in Newport Cemetery, Newport.

Scope and Content

This collection contains materials associated with the William and Florence Mae Wren Porterfield family of Giles County, Virginia, during World War II. Included are an application for War Ration Book No. 3; six war ration books (each bearing the name of a different member of the Porterfield family); and a collection of U. S. Office of Price Administration points, vulcantized fibre tokens given as change by merchants for goods purchased with war ration stamps. Also included are two Selective Service classification status notices for William Lewis Porterfield, and a few receipts issued to members of the family.

Subjects and Indexing Terms

• Giles County (Va.)
• History of Food and Drink
• Local/Regional History and Appalachian South
• World War, 1939-1945

Rights Statement for Archival Description

The guide to the Porterfield Family Papers by Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech, is licensed under a CC0 ( https://creativecommons.org/share-your-work/public-domain/cc0/ ).

General

This collection had been accessioned as, and originally assigned the title of, "World War II Civilian Ration Books." During processing, it was determined that "Porterfield Family Papers" would be a more accurate title.