This collection consists of genealogical and other historical files compiled by Jeanne Rousse and Louis Lavin to document the Graniteville section of Barre, Vermont. While the donors thought that Louis Lavin had created this collection, inspection of its content suggests that it was actually primarily created by his companion, Jeanne Rouse. Evidence within the collection suggests that Ms. Rouse intended to write a history of Graniteville. Although no manuscript history has been found, she was granted permission by Rock of Ages to reproduce photographs from 1912 for a history of Barre that she was writing. At some point Jeanne Rousse conducted a survey of Graniteville residents. The bulk of the files in the collection contain genealogical and biographical information about individuals and families in Graniteville, mostly in the form of clippings and notes. Additionally, many photographs (or reproductions of photographs), capturing a wide variety of subjects from family and individual portraits to businesses, are included in Ms. Rousse's files. Ms. Rousse's skill as a photographer allowed her to reproduce high-quality copy photographs of the family photos of her subjects. Ms. Rousse also created files documenting the people of different blocks, streets, and neighborhoods in Graniteville as well as the owners and employees of various businesses and quarries. In most cases, the contents of these files is biographical and is similar in nature to the files focused on entire families, but with an often greater focus on specific individuals and events. Several churches and schools are also documented.
