Variety of papers from and about the Witkowsky family of Chicago.

Papers include unsigned valentines with intricate paper cutouts and bas-relief imprinted envelopes, addressed to Pauline, James, or Esther Witkowsky. One valentine is dated 1875; the others are undated and are estimated to be from the 1840s to the 1870s. There is one letter from Pauline (age 13) to her betrothed (Conrad, age 19) while he was in California in 1858; among other topics, she mentions the ship Austria which was lost at sea and had friends and relations on board, and also remarks that the Lincoln-Douglas debates were coming to an end.

The 20th century materials include official papers, poems, and remembrances from Alan D. Whitney (nee Witkowsky), a cousin of James Witkowsky, from his experiences during World War I when he served seven months in the War Trade Board and five months in the Army SOS in Washington, D.C. A final folder includes remembrances and memorial to Esther Witkowsky, who graduated from Vassar College in 1886 and who spoke at the Jewish Women's Congress held in Chicago, September 1893.