Lyle Family Papers and Photographs c1812-c1965
From the Archives and Manuscript Collections at the Library & Archives at the Heinz History Center, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Website: http://www.heinzhistorycenter.org/libraryArchives.aspx
Brief Biographical / Historical Sketch
History
The Lyle family settling in Washington, Pa had many members of the family serve in wars dating back to the Revolutionary War and continuing through World War II. In 1681, John Lyle left Scotland for Ireland and there had several children. Two of his sons, Robert and John, immigrated to New York in 1742. John Jr. died shortly after arriving in the United States, but Robert married Mary Gilleland, had several children, and moved to Northampton County Pennsylvania. Robert and Mary’s three sons - Aaron, John, and Robert - left Northampton for Washington County, Pa., and settled there in 1784. 
Aaron Lyle served in the Revolutionary War solider when he was 16 years old. In 1797, at the age of 38, he was elected to the Pennsylvania State Legislature and served for eight years, followed by two years in the State Senate. Then in 1808, he was elected to the United States Congress, where he served eight years during the Madison administration. 
Members of the Lyle family have served in wars from the Revolutionary War through World War II. William Kerr Lyle, grandson of Aaron Lyle, served in the Union Army in 1861 as a private in the 25th Missouri Volunteers. A fourth generation descendent from Aaron, Wilfred Cooke Lyle Jr. served in World War II. He married Mildred Hughes. 
During the years, the Lyle family hosted a number of family reunions, with the first being held in 1884.

Collection Scope and Content Notes

The Lyle Family Papers and Photographs contain photographs, newspaper clippings, photo albums, family genealogical books, correspondence between different family members, Washington and Jefferson College yearbook, certificates, and postcards. These materials primarily document the family’s history in Washington County, Pa.

Box 1 contains books documenting the history of the Lyle family, scrapbooks, a yearbook, correspondence, and war materials relating to Wilfred Cooke Lyle Jr. These war materials include correspondence, various moving orders, and a guide on how to disarm a bomb. The yearbook in this box is a 1902 yearbook from Washington and Jefferson College. Much of the correspondence was written to Mildred Hughes, the wife of Wilfred Cooke Lyle Jr. The scrapbooks contain personal photographs and ephemera relating to Wilfred Cooke Lyle Jr. and his wife Mildred Hughes, including photos of many of the different locations Wilfred was stationed in the military. 

Box 2 contains three photo albums relating to the Lyle family, photographs, panoramic photographs, and a book documenting the Lyle family history. The photo albums primarily relate Wilfred Cooke Lyle Jr. and his wife Mildred Hughes. One album contains images relating to Wilfred’s service in the military during WWII. Several of the panoramic photographs were taken at Lyle family reunions throughout the years. 

There are three folders of oversized materials. One contains newspapers from 1812, 1813, and 1825, and also a certificate from Washington and Jefferson College for Wilfred Cooke Lyle. The newspapers from 1812 and 1813 are The Reporter which is based out of Washington County. The January 23rd, 1813 paper documents Aaron Lyle’s vote in the US Congress to increase the size of the US Navy. The second folder contains a teaching certificate from 1867 and a photograph of Harriet S. Lyle. The third folder consists of various brochures and menus from restaurants and hotels in the Pittsburgh region.