The well-written annotations for each diary more than compensate for the lack of a subject index. 19th century diaries of 32 women include memoirs of family life, some in context of slave owning society and the Civil War. Consulting editor for this collection is Ann Firor Scott, noted historian. Life during Civil War years well-represented in the sources. Courtship patterns, marriage and the whole range of family experience are documented in this collection.
Collection is divided into several sections.
Excellent guide for each section has an introductory essay that provides historical context for the materials in the set and provides detailed descriptions of reel contents with subject index. The History of Women Micfilm 2159 Excellent guide includes subject index. See entries for Divorce, Education of Children, Family, etc. An important collection of international sources, begun by the founder of the first birth control clinic in the world, Dutch feminist Dr. Aletta Jacobs. American sources are strong in titles representative of the South and West.