Now YOU can transcribe Utah history!

Lauren Katz History, News and Events

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 …

New Finding Aids at the Archives: October 2019

Gina Strack Finding Aids

Our archivists write inventories as finding aids to describe them for research. Here are the new ones created during October 2019: Inventory of Executive orders from Governor (2005-2009 : Huntsman), 2005-2009. Inventory of Fetal death certificates from Office of Vital Records and Statistics, 1905-2019 | View Online In addition, the following were updated with new records or more description: Inventory …

Our History: The Next 50 Years

Jim Kichas History

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 …

Archives Administration ca. 2009

Our History: The State Archivists of Utah

Jim Kichas History

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

Jim Kichas History

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

Jim Kichas History

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 …

New Finding Aids at the Archives: September 2019

Gina Strack Finding Aids

Our archivists write inventories as finding aids to describe them for research. Here are the new ones created during September 2019: Inventory of Indexes to Minutes from Carbon County (Utah). County Commission, 1917-1977 Inventory of Administrative records from Heber City (Utah), 1896-1924. Inventory of Financial records from Heber City (Utah), 1932-1969. Inventory of Justice court records from Heber City (Utah), …

Our History: An Introduction

Jim Kichas History

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 …

Shooting Wild Ducks after Sunset

Rebekkah Shaw Research

While looking for an old jury book, I came across U.S. Commissioner Harmel Pratt’s criminal docket book (series 4879). I couldn’t help but browse. Three pages, shown at the bottom, caught my eye. Here’s the story they tell. It was an hour after sunset November 6th, 1892 when Harry Edwards, J. Snyder, and John Rockwell went duck hunting in Salt …

New Finding Aids at the Archives: August 2019

Gina Strack Finding Aids

Our archivists write inventories as finding aids to describe them for research. Here are the new ones created during August 2019: Inventory of 2K2 Program Records from Governor Leavitt, 1999-2003. Inventory of Ethnic office records from Governor Leavitt, 1993-2003. Inventory of Cemetery maps from Honeyville (Utah), 1901-2019 Inventory of Tooele Memorial Center Committee minutes from Tooele (Utah), 1945-1946. Inventory of …