Z 2163.000 Ferris (William R., Jr.) Papers

Z 2163.000 S
FERRIS (WILLIAM R., JR.) PAPERS

The Blues from the Delta-related series contains manuscript drafts, research materials, oral-history transcripts, film logs, and related correspondence. The annotated manuscript drafts illustrate the creative and editorial process in producing the book. The research materials concern the organization of the book and background research for the 1970 Great Britain and 1978 United States editions. The oral-history transcripts are of interviews that Ferris conducted with the Mississippi Delta blues artists who were featured in both published versions. The three film logs of the documentaries entitled "I Aint Lying: Folktales from Mississippi," "James Sonny Ford Thomas," and "Mississippi Delta Blues," which are mentioned in the Blues from the Delta filmography, are also included. Scattered throughout the research materials and oral-history transcripts are incoming and outgoing letters concerning the publication of the book.

The "You Live and Learn. Then You Die and Forget it All.": Ray Lums Tales of Horses, Mules, and Men-related series contains manuscript drafts, research materials, oral-history transcripts, and related items. The annotated manuscript drafts illustrate the creative and editorial process in producing the book. Most of the story drafts were re-titled in the published version. The research materials include Ferriss ideas on the organization of the book, notes on conversations he had with Lum, and definitions of terms he encountered while studying horse and mule trading with Lum. The annotated oral-history transcripts are of interviews that Ferris conducted with Lum. Related items include journal articles about horse and mule traders and the ways they have been depicted in literature. Also included are articles and notes about horses and mules, including various aspects of their breeding and training, and photocopies of photographs depicting mules in civilian and military roles.

The American Folklore Films and Videotapes: An Index-related series contains annotated manuscript drafts of the foreword and introduction to the book, which are interspersed with the research materials. The research materials also include scattered correspondence with colleagues regarding the publication of the book.

1. Manuscript and Research Materials (Blues from the Delta). 1969-ca. 1978. 35 folders.

   Box 1, folders 8-42.

2. Manuscript and Research Materials ("You Live and Learn. Then You Die and Forget it All.": Ray Lums Tales of Horses, Mules, and Men). 1973-ca. 1990; n.d. 82 folders.

   Box 1, folders 1-7

   Box 2, folders 1-64Box 3, folders 1-11 (restricted)Box 4 (restricted)
3. Manuscript (American Folklore Films and Videotapes: An Index). 1975-1976. 2 folders.

   Box 1, folders 43-44

• Box 1, folders 1-7: oral-history transcripts (Ray Lum), 1975.

  folders 8-32: manuscript drafts (Blues from the Delta), 1974-ca. 1978; n.d.

  folder 33: research notes (Blues from the Delta), n.d.folders 34-39: oral-history transcripts (Blues from the Delta), n.d.folders 40-42: film logs, 1969-1974; n.d.folders 43-44: manuscript drafts (American Folklore Films and Videotapes: An Index), 1975-1976.
• Box 2, folders 1-44: manuscript drafts; reference photocopies ("You Live and Learn. Then You Die and Forget it All.": Ray Lums Tales of Horses, Mules, and Men), ca. 1990; n.d.

  folders 45-55: Ray Lum-related research, 1973-1975; n.d.

  folders 56-64: research notes (Ray Lum), ca. 1976; n.d.
• Box 3, folders 1-11: manuscript drafts (original), ca. 1973. (restricted)
• Box 4: manuscript drafts (original), ca. 1973. (restricted)