Conditions Governing Reproduction and Use

The copyright status of this collection is unknown. Copyright restrictions may apply. Contact Special Collections and University Archives for assistance in determining the use of these materials.

Reproduction or digitization of materials for personal or research use can be requested using our reproduction/digitization form: http://bit.ly/scuareproduction .

Reproduction or digitization of materials for publication or exhibit use can be requested using our publication/exhibition form: http://bit.ly/scuapublication . Please contact Special Collections and University Archives ( specref@vt.edu or 540-231-6308) if you need assistance with forms or to submit a completed form.

Conditions Governing Access

The collection is open for research.

Preferred Citation

Researchers wishing to cite this collection should include the following information: [identification of item], [box], [folder], Robert Younger Norman Papers, 1956-1976, Ms2022-058, Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Va.

Source of Acquisition

This collection was purchased by Special Collections and University Archives in 2021.

Processing Information

The processing, arrangement, and description of the Robert Younger Norman Papers was completed in September 2022.

Biographical Note

Robert Younger Norman was born to John E. Norman, Sr., and Ora Estelle Norman (nee Morgan) on August 6, 1913, in Moneta, Virginia. As an adolescent, he moved to Roanoke and began working as a chauffeur. He married Willie Mae Smith (1910-2004) on March 11, 1938, in Roanoke. During World War II, Norman enlisted in the Quartermaster Corps of the U.S. Army from his enlistment on July 16, 1943, until his discharge on December 26, 1945. Later in life, he worked as a laborer in the gas industry in Roanoke and a farmer in Staunton.

Norman was an active member of the Pilgrim Gospel Singers, a Black gospel choir associated with the Promise Land Baptist Church in Moneta, from the 1950s onwards. The choir traveled Virginia to sing at church events.

Norman died in Roanoke on October 13, 1977, and he and his wife Willie are buried in Hurts Gate Cemetery in Moneta.

External Sources:

U.S. Censuses, 1920-1950

"Robert Younger Norman", Findagrave.com, https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/63926470/robert-younger-norman , accessed September 7, 2023.

"Mrs Willie Mae 'Aunt Willie' Smith Norman", Findagrave.com, https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/63925992/willie-mae-norman , accessed September 7, 2023.

"Robert Younger Norman" in the Virginia, U.S., Marriage Records, 1936-2014, Ancestry.com, https://www.ancestrylibrary.com/discoveryui-content/view/10976959:9279 , accessed September 7, 2023.

"Robert Younger Norman" in the Virginia, U.S., Death Records, 1912-2014, Ancestry.com, https://www.ancestrylibrary.com/discoveryui-content/view/1656010:9278 , accessed September 7, 2023.

"Robert Younger Norman" in the U.S., Department of Veterans Affairs BIRLS Death File, 1850-2010, Ancestry.com, https://www.ancestrylibrary.com/discoveryui-content/view/2072367:2441 , accessed September 7, 2023.

Administrative History

The Pilgrim Gospel Singers were a Black gospel choir associated with the Promise Land Baptist Church in Moneta, Virginia, from the 1950s to 1970s.

Scope and Content

This collection contains the papers of Robert Younger Norman, an amry veteran, laborer, and singer. Most materials relate to the Pilgrim Gospel Singers, a Black gospel choir active in Virginia from 1951 through the 1970s, of which Norman was a member. Materials include correspondence related to performances, church programs and event flyers, financial notes, other personal notes, and other bills and official correspondence addressed to Norman.

Arrangement

The collection is arranged by topic.

Subjects and Indexing Terms

• African Americans -- History
• Local/Regional History and Appalachian South
• Musical groups
• Religion

Rights Statement for Archival Description

The guide to the Robert Younger Norman Papers by Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech, is licensed under a CC0 ( https://creativecommons.org/share-your-work/public-domain/cc0/ ).