Time moves on and I wonder if would be possible to contact Betty's daughter Anne MacDonald Canham. She must have some wonderful insights/stories. Does she know this site exists? Or perhaps a grandchild. I think it is important to preserve the history.
Dagweed, I believe that Anne is aware of this site and has monitored it in the past, but I don't know that she still does. Her family members may stop by, but I think they've had some unhappy experiences with people who have offered to write books or collect memorabilia, and they are protective of their family. We certainly wish them all well. Having just finished reading Onions again, it's easy for me to think I know Anne, when I don't. We all change over time. Betty wrote so vividly of her family, didn't she?
I certainly have nothing but well wishes for them, I just hope some of the history of the family is not lost because of being protective. This happened in my family and some of it is now gone forever.
I think many of Betty's papers and manuscripts were donated; the University of Washington comes to mind, but I could be way off on that. I would hope that anything an institution received of Betty's would have been carefully preserved and archived. I wonder if any one out there knows how, or if, those documents might be accessed? Anyone doing legitimate research, for a book or an article, would likely find a wealth of information there that has little to do with her personal life, but much to tell about her as an important 20th century American writer.
Anne has shared stories with us, and we have posted many of them. She still lives in Carmel, and is over 80 yrs old now. In fact, she just had a birthday! Her family keeps the legacy alive, and have been wonderful. Dagwood, I think you might enjoy our Facebook page dedicated to Betty. Here is the link.