Joyce Gibson Roach papers

1961-(1991) ongoing

Bulk Dates 1970-1980

Collection 003

4 linear feet

8 boxes

Acquisition: Gift donated by Joyce Gibson Roach, 1991, 1992 , 1994

[Accession # 91-043, 92-048, 94-189. ]

Access: Direct inquiries to the Archivist, Southwestern Writers Collection, Albert B. Alkek Library, 601 University Drive, San Marcos, Texas 78666-4604

Processed by: Gwynedd Cannan, November, 1992 [Revised December, 2004]

Biographical Note

Joyce Gibson Roach was born December 18, 1935 in Jacksboro, Texas. She received a BFA in 1958 and an MA in 1964 from Texas Christian University.

Having lived all her life in ranch country, Roach has had a lifelong interest in Western Folklore. She is active in the Texas Folklore Society of which she was president in 1976. She has contributed articles to magazines such as Western Folklore, Horseman, and Southwest Heritage. She received the Spur Award from Western Writers of America in 1977 for The Cowgirls.

Scope and Contents Note

The Joyce Gibson Roach papers date from 1961 to 1991 with the bulk of the material dating from 1970 to 1980. The archive contains the notes, clippings, interviews, articles, brochures, cassettes and letters used by Roach in the writing of The Cowgirls and C. L. Sonnichsen: Folk Historian. There are two series representing the above mentioned works.

Series Description

Series I: The Cowgirls, 1961-1977.

Boxes 1 – 6

In The Cowgirls, Roach examines woman's role in the forming of the West. The book considers the woman as rancher, pistol packer and rodeo star. Woman's place in western society and culture is further investigated through a look at movies, songs, dime novels and humor. This series contains answers to Roach's research queries, notes, articles, brochures, clippings, cassettes, letters, photographs and interviews. It is organized generally in the chapter order of the finished book.

Series II: C. L. Sonnichsen, 1950-1991 (bulk 1970-1980).

Boxes 7 – 8

This series contains the clippings, articles, reviews, and letters Roach used to craft her pamphlet on the life and work of C. L. Sonnichsen. Sonnichsen (1901-1991) was a noted folk historian who spent the major part of his life as a professor at the University of Texas at El Paso. He retired from UTEP in 1972 and became the director of publications at the Arizona Historical Society. Sonnichsen authored many books about the West including Cowboys & Cattle Kings, I'll Die Before I Run, Mescalero Apaches, and Pass of the North. The series includes many letters from Sonnichsen to Roach, some touching on personal matters and encouraging Roach in her writing efforts.

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