I’ve already spent almost eleven (!) months researching J’s personal and professional background. For someone mostly forgotten to time and changing tastes, there sure is a startling amount of information to be found on this remarkable woman…if you know where to look. In fact, it would be all-to-easy to suffocate under my growing pile of resources. It’s really difficult to focus on the current task, so I am constantly reminding myself that every avenue of inquiry will be pursued in its own time. Until then, each new nugget is filed in an appropriate place.
That being said, some resources are more exciting than others. For example: Both J and her husband R have files in the archives of the Actors’ Equity Association (AEA) in New York City. Their papers are held in a total of three folders, one for J and two for R. One of his files includes correspondence. This is incredible. Yay! Accessing them will, of course, require an in-person visit. I’m more than okay with that, haha.
Only time will tell how many archives there are to dig through or miles to travel before the century-old gaps in the wild puzzle of J’s existence are filled with their proper pieces. Until then, the journey is enough.
Alternative Muses 