Have you ever wondered how records get indexed and pages get transcribed? The truth is, it is a big job and we could use your help! We are thrilled to announce that we have partnered with an online tool called FromThePage. FromThePage is online software for transcribing documents and collaborating on transcriptions with others. You can transcribe anytime, anywhere! All …
Our History: The Next 50 Years
This is the final post in our series celebrating our 50th anniversary as a distinct division in Utah government. While previous entries have explored the early years (and people) of the Utah State Archives and Records Service, today’s post will attempt to look ahead and project what the Utah State Archives and Records Service of 2069 might look like. Obviously …
Our History: The State Archivists of Utah
As noted in the last two blog posts in this series, the Utah State Archives and Records Service has seen its fair share of change from its inception as a program within the Utah State Historical Society to its emergence as a discrete division within Utah’s executive branch. The changes and opportunities that have impacted our agency have been navigated …
Our History: 50 Years Of Service
As noted in the last blog in this series, the Utah State Archives was born as an office in the State Historical Society, before being moved out and on its own as part of the state’s Little Hoover Commission study on government organization. This move became official in 1969 when the “Archives and Records Service Act” was passed and the …
Our History: The Early Years
The roots of the Utah State Archives and Records Service extend back to the earliest days of state government. The seeds were planted in 1917 when the Utah Legislature passed legislation establishing the Utah State Historical Society as a government agency. The law stipulated that the Historical Society serve as the custodian of all records, documents, relics, and other materials …
Our History: An Introduction
This year the Utah State Archives and Records Service celebrates its 50th year as a division of state government. The history of our agency reaches back even further and we will spend this year’s Archives Month celebrating that history through a series of blog posts. On October 9th we will focus on the early history of our agency, up to …
Reflections on a Centenary for World War I
The Utah State Archives is wrapping up a yearslong recognition of the 100th anniversary since the end of World War I (also known as a centenary). As a repository of a number of military records, we knew there would be an opportunity to introduce them to a new audience keen to learn about the Great War. The motivation came from …
Remembering the Edmunds-Tucker Act
It was in March that the landmark anti-polygamy Edmunds-Tucker Act took effect 132 years ago in 1887. A note in the divorce record for the Tooele County Probate Court highlights the far-reaching extent of the legislation. After the final divorce record from February 1887, the court clerk made a simple note explaining the abrupt end to the record. He noted …
The Thanksgiving Proclamation of 1877
In 1877, Utah’s Territorial Governor George W. Emery (1875-1880) declared that year’s Thanksgiving to be on November 29th. This proclamation highlights two prominent features of the early Thanksgiving celebrations.
The History of the Utah Training School Exhibit
The Utah State Archives is excited to host the new History of the Utah Training School exhibit created by the Utah State Developmental Center. The exhibit will be in the Archives lobby from November 15, 2018 through January 7, 2019.