Martin family collection of Irish music

Collection

Identifier: IM-M187-2011

Scope and Contents

Irish music manuscript pages, including accordion transcriptions prepared by Joe Derrane and John Martin for Jack Martin’s instructional use in “press-draw” notation. The collection also includes Jack Martin's notebooks containing music indexes, loose handwritten music sheets, and photographs. Published materials consist of phonograph records given to Jack Martin by John Martin and Patrick Martin, and sheet music books.

Dates

Creation: 1915 - 1981

Creator

Martin family (Family)

Access Note

Collection is open for research.

The phonograph records are not available for playback due to format impermanence and have not been reformatted. Please let Burns Library Public Services know of your specific interest; if possible, reformatting will be scheduled.

Conditions Governing Use

These materials are made available for use in research, teaching and private study, pursuant to U.S. Copyright Law. The user must assume full responsibility for any use of the materials, including but not limited to, infringement of copyright and publication rights of reproduced materials. Any materials used for academic research or otherwise should be fully credited with the source. The original authors may retain copyright to the materials.

Biographical note: Martin family

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John Martin was born in County Galway, Ireland, on June 5, 1905, to Michael Patrick and Mary Derivan Martin. John immigrated to Boston with his brother Patrick in October 1925. The brothers were farmers in Ireland and self-taught musicians, John on the harmonica and accordion, and Pat on the flute. After settling in the Boston area, John married Elizabeth Agnes Driscoll on December 1, 1929. Their son, John E. Martin, called Jack, was born on July 11, 1930, in Dorchester, Massachusetts. John Martin died on February 18, 1987; his brother Patrick died on December 13, 1985.

Jack Martin took accordion lessons from Jerry O'Brien in the mid-1940s, played at the Dorchester Irish Music Club, and studied for a year with Joe Derrane in the 1960s. Jack was also a member of the Marine Corps Reserve and Massachusetts National Guard, worked for Boston Edison, and served on the Norwell Police Department from 1961-1981. Jack was married to Ann (Fleming) Martin, with whom he had four children: Robert Martin, Paul Martin, Mary Martin (Tiedtke), and John E. Martin, Jr. Jack Martin died in Norwell, Massachusetts on May 25, 2017.

Sources:

Ancestry.com. John E Martin, https://www.ancestrylibrary.com/family-tree/person/tree/33656725/person/332364971581/facts.

Ancestry.com. Massachusetts, U.S., Arriving Passenger and Crew Lists, 1820-1963 [database on-line]. Lehi, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2006.

Ancestry.com. U.S., World War II Draft Cards Young Men, 1940-1947 [database on-line]. Lehi, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2011.

Obituary, The Norwell Mariner, May 27, 2017.

Full Extent

3 Linear Feet (5 containers)

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Abstract

Irish music and related ephemera collected and created by the Martin family, an Irish family who settled in Boston in the 1920s. Materials document the family's engagement with traditional Irish music and include music books, musical manuscripts, notebooks, phonograph records, and photographs.

Arrangement

Arranged in three series: I. Music manuscripts; II. Notebooks and ephemera; and III. Published materials.

Each series is arranged alphabetically.

Provenance

Gift of John E. (Jack) Martin, 2011.

Related Materials

Joe Derrane Irish music materials, IM.M208.2017, John J. Burns Library, Boston College.

Paul C. Haley collection of Jerry O'Brien music manuscripts, BC.2024.028, John J. Burns Library, Boston College.

Richard Toomey Irish music collection, BC.2024.013, John J. Burns Library, Boston College.

T. Jeffrey Sullivan collection of Tommy Sullivan and Joe Derrane, IM.M176.2009, John J. Burns Library, Boston College.