This diary was written by 19 year old Ethel Burk in 1911. The Philadelphia, Pennsylvania woman was a daughter of a wealthy businessman who owned real estate in Atlantic City and a meatpacking business. She commented on the weather, trips she took, as well as her daily activities. These activities were rather extravagant as she wrote about going to dances at night, taking rides in her "machine" (automobile), and even spending time on her family's yacht. Burk also mentioned touring the Lusitania and watching it dock from her hotel room.

Ethel Ruth Burk Williamson was born on November 20, 1892 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She was the youngest child of Louis Burk (1859 – 1934) and Christiana Frederique “Anna” Sieber Burk (1862 – 1941). Anna was an immigrant from Wurttemberg, Germany. Ethel had five older siblings: Charlotte Caroline Burk (1882 – 1929), Caroline Wilhelmina Burk Baker (1884 – 1973), Estella Christiane Burk (1885 – 1973), William David Burk (1886 – 1971), and Florence May Burk (1888 – 1889).

Ethel married banker William Corkin Williamson (1891 – 1976) on October 12, 1915. The event was documented in the Evening Public Ledger. The wedding was held in the home of Ethel’s parents; her new sister-in-law Elizabeth Williamson served as Ethel’s maid of honor and two of her nieces, Charlotte Scott and Ruth Burk, were her flower girls.

Ethel and William had three children together; Ethel Williamson Hutchinson (1917 – 2007), LT. JG. William Corkin Williamson Jr. (1919 – 1942), and Barbara Williamson Haines (1925 – 2013). Their son, William Jr., served with the United States Navy on the USS Enterprise (CV-6). His ship was engaged in several brutal battles and earned the nickname “The Grey Ghost.” Lt. Williamson was killed along with 38 other men on the ship during the Battle of Eastern Solomons.

Ethel Ruth Burk Williamson died on October 19, 1971 at the age of 78. She was buried in Laurel Hill Cemetery East in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

This diary was written by 19-year-old Ethel Burk in 1911. The Philadelphia, Pennsylvania woman was a daughter of a wealthy businessman who owned real estate in Atlantic City and a meatpacking business. She commented on the weather, trips she took, as well as her daily activities. These activities were rather extravagant as she wrote about going to dances at night, taking rides in her "machine" (automobile), and even spending time on her family's yacht. Burk also mentioned touring the Lusitania and watching it dock from her hotel room. Ethel’s diary provides interesting insight in the of a young society woman. The diary is in good condition, the writing is somewhat faded but legible.