a vault of one’s own: in the life of an archivist
TRANSCRIPT
Secretary of State
A Vault of One’s Own: In the Life of an ArchivistVermont State Archives & Records Administration
What is an archivist?
An archivist maintains physical and intellectual control over records of enduring value.
+ technology hat+ legal hat+ more!
Why do we need to keep this stuff?“Every government...should possess, and should place within reach of the people, a complete history of its own legislation. Without the possession of such a history, and a practical regard to the lessons it inculcates, legislation will be, at best, but a succession of experiments, and as a necessary consequence, every operation of government will be characterized with instability and want of wisdom.” - Secretary of State William Slade, 1823
●Historical research
●Sociological trends
●Evidence
AppraisalWe select what is kept by considering:
● Who made the record?● What is it about?● What does it document?● What type of record is it?
Everything is weighed against a collection policy➢ ex. Vermont State Archives takes government records, not personal documents
ProcessingPutting archival records in order
● Inventory what’s there● Organize into a logical arrangement● House into safe, secure storage
Strive to maintain “original order” = how the records were originally used
Processing
DescriptionInformation about the records to facilitate research
PreservationKeeping things safe for long the long term. Threats can include:
●Fires & soot
●Floods & water damage
●Mold
●Bugs
●Theft
●Vandalism
●Technical failure or obsolescence
Preservation
AccessWhat’s the point in having it if no one looks at it?
Ethical responsibilities:● No one’s access is discriminated against● Make efforts to highlight collections with
underrepresented voices or perspectives● Ensure the historic context is understood● Protect privacy of individuals in records○ (medical information, etc.)
Outreach helps! ➢ highlight collections, encourage use, garner
support
Researchers in VSARA’s Reference Room
A Day in the Life
Curated exhibit of archival records
Giving a tour of the VSARA facility to the public
1990’s correspondence from Vermont’s Attorney General & inventory from 19th century estate
Vermont State Archives & Records Administration(VSARA)
VSARA● Created in 2008
○ State Archives + Public Records Division = VSARA● Division under the Office of Secretary of State● What we do:
○ maintain physical state archives & digital repository, VTRetain○ administer statewide records and information management program○ manage State Records Center for offsite storage of agency records○ handle certain statutory filings & certifications○ and more!
VSARA
physical storage locations at VSARA
electronic repository!
Types of RecordsGovernment archive = records that document government business, not personal documents
We deal with many types of formats:
● paper & bound volumes● microfilm/fiche● photographs, negatives & slides● CD, cassette, reel-to-reel● born-digital● and more!
Government Archive = Boring?!
Damage to the railroad in Middlesex from the 1927 flood. Houston Studio, image H-176
Attorney General investigation into shooting of May LaBelle, 1911. PRA-00422
Department of Fish and Wildlife report, 2004. LIB-01012
And Mysteries!
1910’s photo from Department of Forests and Parks, A101-00002. We have no idea what the story is behind this.
Ediphone wax cylinders, currently being digitized. Contents to be determined!
An agency delivers a box for storage in the State Records Center...containing their very own X-
Files? What’s in that box?
We need to know a little bit about a lot of things...
Types of Research Questions
Genealogy & family history Legislative
history & intent Scholars:
books, theses, dissertations
Special projects And more!
Agency users/state employees
Genealogy Resources at VSARA
Online research guide:
https://www.sec.state.vt.us/archives-records/state-archives/research-guides/genealogy-and-family-history.aspx
Vital RecordsFirst recorded at town, then reported to state registry
➢ State registry may have gaps➢ State registry records are available online!
Changes are coming July 1, 2019 for certified copiesJames Washburn birth record, November 18, 1783.
Series HE-212
Probate Court●Includes wills & estates, guardianships, adoptions (closed for 99 years after the birth of adoptee)
●VSARA has records up to about 1945/50 - later years with court
●VSARA has records for most counties, except Champlain Valley
●There are twenty districts, each indexed separately
Guardianship for James Washburn’s children, 1842. Hartford Probate Vol. 15, HRP-00278
Criminal & Civil Court
Got black sheep ancestors? Criminals or those in dispute? Then these are for you!
●VSARA has records up to about 1945/50 - later years with court
●VSARA has records for most counties, except Champlain Valley
●Many court types - county, supreme, chancery, municipal, depending on case type and time frame
Docket for Caledonia County Court. June Term, 1844. CACC-00126
NewspapersEntire microfilm collection from State Library → State Archives
● Most titles● Spans late 1700s - present day● Nearly all papers up to 1922 available
online
Marriage announcement of Jonah Washburn & Orlinda Rogers. Vermont Farmer, March 28, 1873
MilitaryVSARA has mostly high level, administrative records, not individual service records
➢ There is still much documentation around individual soldiers!
➢ Very fragile - many were damaged in a 1945 fire
Civil War description roll for 16th Vermont Infantry, Company A, for Bethel, including 34-year-old James Loring Washburn. F-26081
Town RecordsVSARA has microfilm copies of town record books, not originals, not complete for any town
Can include:● land deeds● early vitals● church records● cemetery records● town meeting● and more!
Land deed between Alanson Rogers & Jonah Washburn, 1873. Bethel Land Deeds, Vol. 20, F-07191
Manuscript Vermont State Papers
Earliest records of Vermont state government
● circa 1760 - 1870● indexed!
Petition to the legislature from citizens of Randolph in support of temperance, 1837. Vol. 65, pg. 83. SE118-00065
And more!
1854 naturalization record (RUCC-00040); Biographical notes from 1886 legislative directory;
1950s group session at Vermont State Hospital (VSH-00088)
Secretary of State
Vermont State Archives & Records AdministrationReference Room
1078 US Route 2, Middlesex802-828-2308
Reference Room Hours:Monday - Friday
9 AM - 4 PM
Twitter: @VTStateArchives