Those Vital, Vital Records

Posted on October 12, 2009 by SCblogger

To a genealogist, vital records are the mainstay of his or her research, the triumvirate of documentation.  Birth, marriage, and death records pin down a life from start to finish and connect an unbroken (one hopes) line from one generation to another.

We here in Special Collections understand how, well, vital these records are to our patrons.  It has therefore become our goal to add to our collections the available vital records from as many Iowa counties as we can, from the earliest possible to each county’s cut-off after the 1920 changes in Iowa law that changed the duties of county clerks.*

Iowa has ninety-nine counties, so this is what we would call an extended project—but we’re off to a pretty good start with the births, marriage, and deaths of the easternmost fourteen:

Cedar
Clayton
Clinton

Jackson
Jefferson
Johnson
Jones

Lee
Louisa

Mahaska
Muscatine

Scott (of course)

Union

Wayne

If you look at a county map of Iowa, you can see that we are resolutely marching west in our quest for these records.  And we vow not to stop until we reach Lyon County at the northwest corner of our fair state.

So, if you’re in the market for an early vital record or two from the eastern 14% of Iowa, c’mon in for a visit— we have  six microfilm reader/printers , a change machine, and extremely comfortable chairs!**

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*Iowa law did not require clerks to record birth, marriage, and deaths at the county level between 1920 and 1941—these records were sent to the state.  Many clerks continued documenting some vital records as their duties permitted, but most eventually stopped until the law required them to begin again.

** Or if you really can’t manage a visit, drop us a line.  But then, you won’t know if we’re telling the truth about our chairs . . .

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A Fine Day for a Dedication

Posted on October 5, 2009 by SCblogger

Have you ever wondered if children of the nineteenth century groaned when it was time to return to school after summer break?  If they did grumble about such things the week of September 10, 1866 would have been the time–back to school time!

The city of an estimated 17,000 people contained one high school and six grade schools within its city limits in 1866.  In June, one boy and six girls had graduated from Davenport High School. One of the young ladies was Alice French, who would later author books under the pen name Octave Thanet.

While many students were returning to older, overcrowded grade schools; the students at School No. 1 actually had something to celebrate that year.  On October 5, 1866 School No. 1* was officially dedicated at its new location at Fulton Avenue and Mississippi (the old school had been located at Mound and Eddy Streets) in East Davenport.  This two story brick school house was considered to have the most modern features of the time.

Mid-nineteenth century modern was defined by doors that opened outward instead of inward, numbered cloak boxes for garments, water closets, hat hooks, a cistern, hand rails on the stairs, three classrooms on each floor, ventilation from windows, and access in each room to the furnace for heat. 

Each classroom contained desk space for 60 to 80 students, depending on the room.  Rooms were also equipped with a green chalk board.  The outdoor school yard contained planks for walking, a fence, and shutters for the windows. Lest we forget, a bell tower held a bell to call the students to school. 

The grand dedication was held on a beautiful October day according to the Davenport Daily Gazette of October 6, 1866.  The County Superintendent was present along with numerous other local dignitaries to honor the dedication of the citizens of Davenport in creating a fine educational edifice.  And what were the 220 pupils in attendance that day thinking during the speeches?  If they were like school children today, they were probably just happy to be outdoors and not in the classroom for a few hours!

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*In 1908, the Davenport School Board had all city elementary schools renamed for presidents.  School No. 1 became, appropriately enough, Washington Elementary.

(posted by Amy D.)

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October is National Archives Month

Posted on October 1, 2009 by SCblogger

October is National Archives Month, when we attempt to “Celebrate the American Record.” If not for all these records, there would be very little for researchers to go on when it came to family history or investigating political, social or economic events. Ephemera collections, photographic images and historic newspapers all need to be investigated by competent researchers in order to yield a complete picture. Simply accepting a great story as a fact because it appeared in a county history can be a huge mistake! One needs to investigate to see if the storyline is even plausible.

Accessibility and preservation of these records are key components of the process. In order to celebrate, access to items is essential. Keeping in mind that we want our descendants to share the same opportunity one hundred years from now, archivists concern themselves with proper preservation techniques and environments. Preservation is paramount to the accessibility and use of all records.

Please join our celebration! Go ahead and bring in that photograph you have been trying to date. We have resources and people who can help!

Take advantage of our Genealogy Night on Sunday October 4 from 4 – 9 p.m.  Join others as they pour over records here in the Special Collections Center.  Beginners welcome! Just bring as many names, dates and places as you can to help us help you find the records you need to climb your family tree!

Celebrate the American Record at the Richardson-Sloane Special Collections Center of the Davenport Public Library. Go history!

(Submitted by Karen)

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The Free and Independent State of Scott

Posted on September 28, 2009 by SCblogger

As has been said before here, Davenport was the home to many breweries and saloons in the mid-1800s.  This wasn’t a problem during the Civil War, when those of a teetotal inclination had other things to worry about.  But once the War was over and Iowa soldiers returned, the Temperance-minded turned their attentions once again to the evils of alcohol and passing state prohibition amendments—it took them  a while, but they finally passed such an amendment in 1882.

Davenport, and by extension, Scott County, was having none of it.  In fact, the Koehler and Lange brewery, one of Davenport’s finest, filed suit and had the amendment overturned on a technicality. 

Unfortunately, the prohibition crowd wasn’t having any of that.  Instead of passing another amendment, they gave the existing laws more weight in 1884.

Mayor Ernst Claussen refused to acquiesce to this violation of personal liberties and threatened to declare a “Free and Independent State of Scott.”  Less dramatically, he passed a local ordinance that allowed the legal sale of “new” beverages.  These “Improved” drinks were still made from fermented grain and hops, but were sold under names like “Hop Nectar” and “Kentucky Blue Grass.”* 

About sixty years and a World War later, the Davenport Chamber of Commerce decided to promote the city to both residents and tourists. Someone unearthed the “State of Scott” idea, and decided to make it the central theme of a series of community celebrations.  Held in 1946, 1947, and 1948, the festivities included parades, fireworks, beauty contests, and even the election of a “Governor” and the appointment of “Senators” from Scott County towns.  The seal of the State of Scott featured a drawing of General Winfield Scott, and included the motto that Mayor Claussen had once wielded so effectively.

Within our library collections is a short film of one of these celebrations, and if you’re interested in seeing a little Davenport history—and its sense of humor—we’ll be showing the footage several times between 9:30 and 1:30 during our Fairmount Fall Festival on October 3.  

There’s no charge—that would be the free part—and there’s a lot more going on as well, in case you’d like to bring family and friends—that’s the independent part.

Won’t you join us?

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* This determination held up until 1919, when the 18th Amendment to the United States Constitution was passed.  Not willing to actually secede from the Union, Davenport’s brewers  and taverns knuckled under—and in some cases, went underground—until 1933, when the 21st Amendment made it okay to order a beer and a bump as loudly as you liked.

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Archives, the historical record and freedom

Posted on September 25, 2009 by SCblogger

If you’re a regular visitor to this blog, you’ve read lots of brief histories of people, events and places in Davenport and Scott County.  Have you ever thought “that doesn’t sound accurate to me”  or wondered “just how do they know that?”  The answer is that we’ve found the information documented in the resources we have available to us here in the Special Collections Center at the Library. 

Now while we’d be the first to say that history is important and knowing what’s come before gives an important perspective when dealing with the present, the brief accounts presented in this blog don’t have any particular significance in terms of intellectual freedom issues.

But wait, maybe they do!  Intellectual freedom means more than being able to read books that others find objectionable for whatever reason.  It means that accurate historical documentation exists so that you can read and research and draw your own conclusions rather than having to rely on someone else to do that for you.  It means that if someone tells you, for example, that the Holocaust never happened that you can research and find documentation to refute that claim.  Whether it’s a small issue or a large one, having the original documents (what archivists and historians term primary sources) preserved and accessible for the public is a critical part of intellectual freedom.  Otherwise, how do we ever decide what is true and what isn’t?  And sometimes just as signicantly, how do we really know why or how a decision was made?

Educators are beginning to realize that teaching the next generation to question and carefully evaluate the resources they find online is critically  important to having a true understanding of an issue.  Think about it, anyone can post anything on the internet.  But are the scanned documents you are viewing complete?  Or did someone just pick the items that support their point of view?  National History Day is one program that teaches students to do research using primary source materials – original documents, newspaper accounts, photographs, etc.

So, in honor of the September Project and Intellectual Freedom, the next time you read something or hear a news account on the radio or TV, take a minute to stop and wonder “how do they know that?”  And  then do some research of your own to satisfy yourself as to whether the account is accurate.  You’ll be taking an important step to preserve not only your freedom to read, but your freedom to know. 

And when you’re done, thank an archivist for their work in preserving the historical record for future generations.

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A Veteran’s View: Dale Elliot

Posted on September 24, 2009 by SCblogger

Since 2004, libraries across the world have organized events about freedom and issues that matter to their communities during the month of September. This grassroots project favors free over fee, public over private, and voices over silence.   Throughout the week of September 21, the blogs of the Davenport Public Library will be featuring posts relating to freedom and democracy, as well as hosting displays about these topics.  For more information about the September Project, visit www.theseptemberproject.org.

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Dale Iverson Elliott was born April 19, 1923, in Davenport.   In World War II, he served  as a Master Sergeant in Company E of the 148th Infantry.

American FlagDuring his military service, Master Sergeant Elliott was awarded the Medal of Honor, Bronze Star, Distinguished Unit Badge and the Bronze Service Arrowhead. 

After returning, Mr. Elliott worked as an electrician, retiring in 1985.  He was a member of the American Legion Post #26, IBEW and the 37th Division Veterans.  he also consented to be interviewed for the Davenport public Library’s World War II/Korean War Oral history project.

Mr. Elliot passed away on February 7, 2007.

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Voices of City Government Past and Present

Posted on September 23, 2009 by SCblogger

Since 2004, libraries across the world have organized events about freedom and issues that matter to their communities during the month of September. This grassroots project favors free over fee, public over private, and voices over silence.   Throughout the week of September 21, the blogs of the Davenport Public Library will be featuring posts relating to freedom and democracy, as well as hosting displays about these topics.  For more information about the September Project, visit www.theseptemberproject.org.

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In Special Collections we focus not only on the voices of today, but those of the past as well.  We are fortunate to be able to “hear” the voices of former citizens in the fine collection of City Council documents that range from 1843 through 1914, with a few later years existing as well.  These documents go beyond our traditional City Council Proceedings books.  These are the voices of the everyday clerks, aldermen, and citizens speaking to us.  From petitions to resolutions we are able to trace what citizens felt were important issues in their lives and hear them work within their government to achieve the Davenport of their dreams. Who wanted a fire box in their neighborhood?  Should wild dogs be shot in the street in front of ladies and children? Who wanted there to be a Davenport City Artillery (similar to the National Guard of today) to protect and defend local citizens?  Answers to these and other questions may be found in Davenport City Council paperwork that resides in the Richardson-Sloane Special Collections Center.

Another way to track city government is through Council Proceedings.  These books and binders are available for the public to read in Special Collections.  From 1839 through the present, these items help patrons explore the development of Davenport.  We also have Ordinances from 1902 through 1975, Council Notebooks from 1979 through 2000 and Council Proceedings from 1970 through 1999 on microfilm for additional convenience.

Special Collections also wants to help patrons connect with current public information.  Did you miss a city council meeting and want to know what happened?  We maintain current city council packets and minutes in paper form as a resource.  In addition the Center is able to provide VHS tapes of city council meetings from June 1999 through the present which may be viewed in Special Collections.  Do you feel curious about other Davenport city committees and meetings?  Feel free to ask us for these items as we are always working to collect agendas, packets, and minutes for the various committees that are a part of city government. 

Yes, Special Collections involves not only documents from our past, but also information that is needed today for inquiring citizens.  Just think, one day we too will be part of this wonderful history!

(Amy D.)

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A Veteran’s View: Joan McAdams

Posted on September 22, 2009 by SCblogger

Since 2004, libraries across the world have organized events about freedom and issues that matter to their communities during the month of September. This grassroots project favors free over fee, public over private, and voices over silence.   Throughout the week of September 21, the blogs of the Davenport Public Library will be featuring posts relating to freedom and democracy, as well as hosting displays about these topics.  For more information about the September Project, visit www.theseptemberproject.org.

*******

 

  Joan McAdams not only experienced first-hand the
  continual bombing of England in WWII, she  joined
  the Royal Air Force in order to do something about it.

American FlagWhile serving, she met and married an American soldier, and dealt with the difficulties of a military relationship and, later, with being an “English war bride.” 

After her children were grown, she worked for over 20 years to provide another kind of freedom—at the Rock Island Public Library.

A veteran, a foreign bride, a mother, and a librarian—if that isn’t the definition of “freedom fighter,” it should be!

Here are highlights from her story, as told to Oral History interviewers at the Davenport Public Library:

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An Invitation – Part 2

Posted on September 21, 2009 by SCblogger

Have you ever pushed that button and regretted it?? Well, I did that today with our invitation. Here is the rest of the information!
Who is Invited? Genealogists
When? Sunday, October 4, 2009
from 4:00 – 9:00 p.m.
Where? Richardson-Sloane Special Collections Center, Davenport Public Library
$10 fee includes hearty snacks
Enjoy a friendly atmosphere and access to all the materials in the Center. Hope to see you there!

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An Invitation

Posted on September 21, 2009 by SCblogger

Find all the leaves (and maybe a couple of nuts??) on your family tree at the Richardson-Sloane Special Collection Center’s Fall Genealogy Night.

Spend this special evening with other genealogists and access the best collection of genealogy records and historic newspapers in the QCA!

Registration is $10 payable prior to the event, and includes hearty refreshments and plenty of research fun.

Contact Special Collections at 563-326-7902 with any questions or to register for the event, which is co-sponsored by the Scott County Iowa Genealogical Society (SCIGS) and the Davenport Public Library.

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