WHCF Subject File - PP: President - Personal

According to the White House Central Files filing manual, this category was for "material of a personal or quasi-personal nature written to the President or his family."

An exception to the above are materials pertaining to criticism and support (see PR).

These materials were considered personal or "quasi-personal" in that they concerned non-official matters. The materials were generally routine, however, and seldom characterized by any great sense of intimacy or privacy.



 

PP: President - Personal
Executive 75 pp. / General 19 pp.
Miscellaneous material concerning personal matters which can not be categorized in any of the following PP categories, particularly routine correspondence with personal friends in Grand Rapids.

PP 1: Articles Books and Booklets written by the President and his family
Executive 125 pp. / General 60 pp.
Material on articles, books and booklets written by the President including Portrait of the Assassin. Also included are requests from various magazines for articles to be written by the President and draft versions of those requests that he granted.

PP 2: Articles Books and Booklets written about the President and his family
Executive 540 pp. / General 210 pp.
Material on articles, books and booklets written about the President and his family. Included are requests for interviews with the President and members of his family, schedule proposals, agenda for presidential appointments with writers, letters of acknowledgment from the President to writers, and copies of many articles.

PP 3: Contributions
Executive 210 pp. / General 25 pp.
Material on contributions made by the President or given in his honor. Included are notices from the public or charitable organizations of contributions sent or received in his name and letters of thanks from the President. Also included is a series of documents concerning the deductibility of charitable contributions to higher education.

PP 4: Doubles
Executive 6 pp. / General 14 pp.
Material on the presidential "look-alikes" including letters from the public concerning such instances and acknowledgments from the President.

PP 5: Family
Executive 85 pp. / General 90 pp.
Material on the President's family. Included are items written about grandfathers, nieces, cousins, brothers, in-laws, etc; routine letters to and from various family members and items relating to the First Family as a whole, such as invitations for them to appear at various functions as a group.

PP 5-1: Ford Betty (Elizabeth)
Executive 1600 pp. / General 750 pp.
Material on the First Lady including invitations for her to appear; correspondence concerning her illness; briefing papers for meetings and public appearances, background information and agendas for visits of dignitaries; and material concerning her involvement with the Equal Rights Amendment and International Women's Year.

PP 5-2: Ford Mike & Gayle (Michael G.)
Executive 75 pp. / General 25 pp.
Material on the President's son, Michael G. Ford, and his wife, Gayle, including comments from the public concerning their activities; letters to the President from their friends and acquaintances; photocopies of envelopes which contain letters from the President to his son and daughter-in-law; material relating to their Secret Service protection; and agendas for White House functions they attended.

PP 5-3: Ford Jack (John Gardner)
Executive 210 pp. / General 50 pp.
Material on John Gardner Ford (Jack) including comments from the public concerning his activities and substantive material concerning his campaign involvement on behalf of his father.

PP 5-4: Ford Steven (Steven Meigs)
Executive 250 pp. / General 100 pp.
Material on Steven Meigs Ford including comments from the public concerning his activities; photocopies of envelopes which contained letters from the President to his son; letters to the President from his son's friends and acquaintances; material concerning his campaign activities on behalf of his father; and items relating to Steven's involvement in rodeo.

PP 5-5: Ford Susan Elizabeth
Executive 260 pp. / General 130 pp.
Material on Susan Elizabeth Ford including comments from the public concerning her activities; schedule proposals and requests for appearances; and agendas for White House functions she attended.

PP 5-6: Ford, Dorothy; Ford, Gerald Sr.; King, Leslie
Executive 35 pp. / General 6 pp.
Material on the President's mother, step-father, and natural father. Included are letters from people who knew them or share the President's experience of being raised by someone other than their natural father.

PP 5-7: Ford, Thomas
Executive 45 pp. / General 6 pp.
Material on the President's half brother. Included is information concerning his involvement with the dedication of the Gerald R. Ford Freeway; family visits to the White House; acknowledgements for gifts received from Thomas Ford by the President; and material regarding his activities acting as an intermediary between the President and various individuals.

PP 5-8: Ford, Richard
Executive 65 pp. / General 4 pp.
Material on the President's half brother. Included is information concerning their common interest in golf, visits to the White House, acknowledgements for gifts received from Richard Ford by the President and material regarding his activities acting as an intermediary between the President and various individuals.

PP 5-9: Ford, James
Executive 30 pp. / General 2 pp.
Material on the President's half brother. Included is information concerning his visits with the President and his activities acting as an intermediary between the President and various individuals.

PP 5-10: King, Leslie "Bud"
Executive 12 pp. / General 15 pp.
Material on the death of the President's half brother, Leslie H. King, in December 1976.

PP 6: Income Tax
Executive 30 pp. / General 10 pp.
Material on the President's income taxes. Included are questions from the public concerning the deductibility of certain items and how much the President paid in taxes. There are no copies of the President's income tax returns in this file.

PP 7: Summons and Subpoenas
Executive 40 pp. / General 24 pp.
Material on summons and subpoenas directed to the President and law suits that involved him. Included are suits directed against him by individuals or groups and material relating to the case of the United States of America v. Lynette Alice Fromme, including a copy of the President's deposition concerning the attempted assassination.

PP 8: Life Insurance
Executive 7 pp. / General 20 pp.
Material on the President's life insurance including correspondence with his insurance agent and offers from others to sell him life insurance.

PP 9: Memberships
Executive 160 pp. / General 120 pp.
Material on honorary and other types of memberships tendered, accepted or declined by the President. Also included are staff memoranda relating to the President's policy with regard to accepting memberships.

PP 9-1/A-Z: Memberships - Accepted
Executive 1800 pp. / General 30 pp.
Material on memberships offered to the President that he accepted. The items are arranged alphabetically by name of organization.

PP 9-2/A-Z: Memberships - Declined
Executive 250 pp. / General 1,500 pp.
Material on memberships offered to the President that he declined. The items are arranged alphabetically by name of organization.

PP 10: Messages Received
Executive 60 pp. / General 9 pp.
Miscellaneous messages sent to the President including congratulations concerning the Apollo-Soyuz space mission and letters of thanks for his performance as President.

PP 10-1: Birthday
Executive 1,050 pp. / General 20,250 pp.
Cards and letters sent to the President from the general public, various heads of state, members of both houses of Congress and the President's staff, greeting him on his birthday in 1975 and 1976.

PP 10-2: Condolences - Sympathy
Executive 425 pp. / General none
Correspondence expressing condolence related to the deaths of John Patrick Egan, U.S. Consular Agent in Argentina; Roger Davies, Ambassador to Cyprus; Kenneth Keating, Ambassador to Israel; Francis Meloy, Jr., Ambassador to Lebanon; Jack Stiles, friend and associate of the President; Leslie H. King, half brother to the President; and the loss of American lives in various air accidents and natural disasters. Included are letters and telegrams from heads of state and the public.

PP 10-2-1: Illness
Executive 300 pp. / General 800 pp.
Correspondence expressing concern over First Lady Betty Ford's illness in the fall of 1974. Included are letters and telegrams from heads of state and the public. Also included are miscellaneous letters and telegrams to the President wishing him a rapid recovery from a sinus infection.

PP 10-3: Election - Nomination - Primaries
Executive 3,500 pp. / General 130,500 pp.
Voluminous mail relating to the President's activities in state primaries, the Republican nomination for president in 1976 and the outcome of the November election. Included are letters of congratulation and regret from the general public as well as family friends, members of both houses of Congress, and heads of state. Most of the material is from the general public and received a form response from the White House.

PP 10-4: Holiday
Executive 55 pp. / General 525 pp.
Holiday greetings sent to President Ford by heads of state, public officials, friends, schoolchildren, and the general public on occasions such as Thanksgiving, Easter, Halloween, and St. Valentine's Day. Most correspondence was answered by form letter.

PP 10-5: Inaugural - Anniversary
Executive 6,100 pp. / General 7,400 pp.
Messages of support sent to Ford by heads of state, ambassadors, fellow politicians, businessmen, personal friends, Michigan residents, schoolchildren, and the general public upon his assumption of the Presidency on August 9, 1974. Also includes a few congratulatory notes sent on the anniversary of the inauguration. Most correspondence was acknowledged by form letter.

PP 10-6: Wedding Anniversary
Executive 22 pp. / General 12 pp.
Anniversary congratulations sent to the President and Mrs. Ford.

PP 10-7: Special Family Events
There are no materials filed in this category.

PP 11: Names in Honor of the President
Executive 65 pp. / General 85 pp.
Correspondence about buildings, parks, trophies and awards, club chapters, scholarships, highways, and the like, named in honor of Gerald R. Ford. Includes material on the dedication of the Gerald R. Ford Freeway in western Michigan.

PP 12: Namesakes
Executive 2 pp. / General 26 pp.
Correspondence about those who share the name of Gerald Ford.

PP 13: Personal Data
Executive 300 pp. / General 350 pp.
Material on the personal life of the President, including information on religion, sports activities, scouting, Masonic membership, reading habits, personal habits and preferences. Also includes correspondence with personal acquaintances. This category should be consulted along with sub-categories as similar material is filed in both locations.

PP 13-1: Degrees Tendered or Conferred
Executive 200 pp. / General 475 pp.
Material on honorary degrees offered to President Ford . Commencement invitations accepted are filed in the Executive folders; most invitations were declined.

PP 13-2: Education
Executive 350 pp. / General 100 pp.
Material on Ford's education at South High School in Grand Rapids, the University of Michigan, Yale University Law School, and the University of North Carolina Law School, including information on his sports activities. Also correspondence from and about former teachers and classmates.

PP 13-3: Genealogical Data
Executive 60 pp. / General 125 pp.
Correspondence requesting or offering genealogical information about Gerald R. Ford, born Leslie Lynch King Jr.

PP 13-4: Health
Executive 65 pp. / General 10 pp.
Material on the health and physical fitness activities of the President, expressions of concern for health of the Fords, and arrangements for Ford's medical and dental appointments.

PP 13-5: Homes
Executive 7 pp. / General 20 pp.
Material on the financing of security improvements to presidential residences and correspondence concerning property offered for sale to President Ford.

PP 13-5-1: Birthplace - Boyhood Home
Executive 50 pp. / General 60 pp.
Correspondence about Ford's boyhood home in Grand Rapids, Michigan and his birthplace in Omaha, Nebraska, including material on the erection of a memorial at the latter site.

PP 13-5-2: Alexandria, Virginia
Executive 30 pp. / General 19 pp.
Material on the Ford family's home on Crown View Drive in Alexandria, Virginia, including correspondence concerning its possible rental and sale.

PP 13-5-3: Grand Rapids, Michigan
Executive 30 pp. / General 10 pp.
Material on Ford's boyhood home there, messages to the people of the city, and correspondence with city residents.

PP 13-5-4: Vail, Colorado
Executive 14 pp. / General 25 pp.
Material on the Ford family's condominium in Vail and events and individuals there.

PP 13-6: Medals - Citations - Awards
Executive 1150 pp. / General 400 pp.
Material on awards, citations, plaques, medals, and similar items awarded to the President.

PP 13-7: Military Service
Executive 150 pp. / General 64 pp.
Correspondence about Ford' naval service during World War II, including material concerning the ship he served aboard, the U.S.S. Monterrey. Also letters from and about former shipmates.

PP 13-8: Religious Affiliations
Executive 25 pp. / General 35 pp.
Material on President Ford's religious beliefs and practices.

PP 13-9: Trust Fund
Executive 1 p. / General 2 pp.
Material on Gerald Ford's financial status.

PP 13-10: Wearing Apparel
Executive 30 pp. / General 30 pp.
Material on offers of clothing and tailoring services as well as comments on the President's appearance.

PP 13-11: Biographies
Executive 40 pp. / General 5 pp.
Correspondence concerning proposed biographies of President Ford as well as requests for biographical material. Included are brief biographies prepared for publications such as "Who's Who".

PP 14: Post Administration Suggestions
Executive 375 pp. / General 475 pp.
Correspondence relating to job offers, suggested speaking engagements and other public appearances, requests for interviews, proposed publications concerning the President, real estate offers and similar matters presented for Ford's consideration. Most suggestions were acknowledged by form letter.

PP 15: Preferences - Hobbies
Executive 5 pp. / General 50 pp.
Material on President Ford's preferences and hobbies, particularly stamp collecting and pipe smoking.

PP 15-1: Anecdotes - Jokes
Executive none / General 1 p.
A cross-reference about an April Fools Day anecdote.

PP 15-2: Arts - Artists - Paintings
Executive 1 p. / General none
A cross-reference concerning the President's portrait.

PP 15-3: Bible Passages - Prayers
Executive 18 pp. / General 5 pp
Material on the President's favorite Bible passages and prayers..

PP 15-4: Books Authors - Poetry - Prose - Fiction
Executive 5 pp. / General 3 pp.
Material on the President's reading habits. Also his comments on reading material.

PP 15-5: Card games
There are no materials filed in this category.

PP 15-6: Dancing
Executive 4 pp. / General 2 pp.
Two cross-references concerning the entertainment field as well as a comment on the President's dancing ability.

PP 15-7: Flowers
There are no materials filed in this category.

PP 15-8: Food - Recipes - Cooking
Executive 2 pp. / General 18 pp.
Material on the President's favorite foods, wines, and recipes.

PP 15-9: Motion Pictures - Theatre
Executive 5 pp. / General none
Material on films sent to the President for his viewing.

PP 15-10: Music - Composers
Executive none / General 7 pp.
Material on the President's musical preferences. Also a cross-reference concerning a WIN song.

PP 15-11: Numismatics
There are no materials filed in this category.

PP 15-12: Pets
Executive 55 pp. / General 42 pp.
Material on Liberty, the Fords' golden retriever, and Shan, their Siamese cat.

PP 15-13: Philately
Executive 1 p. / General 1 p.
Cross-reference concerning the President's stamp collection.

PP 15-14: Photography
There are no materials filed in this category.

PP 15-15: Quotations
Executive 1 p. / General 2 pp.
Material on a quotation requested by Ford as well as correspondence concerning a statement made by Mrs. G. R. Ford of Grand Rapids.

PP 15-16: Sports
Executive 30 pp. / General 50 pp.
Material concerning Ford's participation in sports, including requests for interviews, offers of equipment and facilities, letters about former teammates and correspondence from fellow sportsmen. Similar material may be found in PP 13-2: Education.

PP 15-17: Writing
There are no materials filed in this category.

PP 16: Trees Planted
Executive 130 pp. / General 13 pp.
Material on trees planted in the President's honor, particularly in Israeli forests. Also includes material on the planting of a Bicentennial elm at the White House and a "moon tree" seedling at the Department of Agriculture building.

PP 17: Voting
Executive 3 pp. / General 8 pp.
Correspondence concerning Ford's return to Grand Rapids to vote in the 1976 election as well as correspondence concerning his congressional voting record.


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