Sources of social support for 24 widowed, “worthy” elderly men who were clients of a privately funded foundation in Detroit, Michigan, beginning in 1929 or 1930 until their deaths are described. Beginning with the application for admission, each man's file documents delivery of services in notes recorded each time he had contact with anyone in the foundation. Letters written by and about a man were also kept in his file as well as reports from physicians and other health professionals who treated him. Sources of support for the widowers were fourfold: kin, friends, proprietors of the various residences in which they lived, and the social workers employed by the foundation. The use of each type of support is described. In the final section of the paper, general themes of support are placed in an historical context.
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