Archives News

Featured image for “New Finding Aids at the Archives: May 2023”
June 5, 2023

New Finding Aids at the Archives: May 2023

Our archivists write inventories as finding aids to describe records. Here is the newest one created during May 2023: Inventory of Eastonia (yearbook) from Salt Lake City School District (Utah). East High School, 1926- Inventory of Records of business transacted from Tooele County (Utah). County Commission, 1867-1888 Inventory of Declaration of Intention record books from District Court (First District :
Featured image for “Utah History Day 2023: History in Government Winners”
May 16, 2023

Utah History Day 2023: History in Government Winners

Every year in April, 4th through 12th grade students from across the state embark on a research project for Utah History Day, part of the larger National History Day contest. Students choose a historical topic related to the annual theme, and then conduct primary and secondary research in libraries, archives, and museums. The final projects are presented in one of five
Featured image for “New Finding Aids at the Archives: April 2023”
May 3, 2023

New Finding Aids at the Archives: April 2023

Our archivists write inventories as finding aids to describe records. Here is the newest one created during April 2023: Inventory of Council minutes from North Ogden (Utah), 1934-1999 Inventory of Building plans from Provo City School District (Utah), ca. 1930- Inventory of Registers of deaths from Huntington (Utah), 1905-1921 Inventory of Board meeting agendas from Morgan County School District (Utah),
Featured image for “Highlights with Heidi: The Alaska-Yukon-Pacific Exposition”
May 3, 2023

Highlights with Heidi: The Alaska-Yukon-Pacific Exposition

The Alaska-Yukon-Pacific Exposition, also known as the AYP Exposition, was a world’s fair in Seattle, Washington, in 1909 to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Klondike Gold Rush. It attracted over three million visitors to the University of Washington campus and featured exhibits from countries around the globe, including the United States. One state that was particularly involved in the
Featured image for “Coal Correspondence: Inspector Gomer Thomas and the 1900 Scofield Mine Disaster”
May 1, 2023

Coal Correspondence: Inspector Gomer Thomas and the 1900 Scofield Mine Disaster

This blog post was written by Jack Tingey, a 2023 Intern at the Utah State Archives and Records Service. Jack graduated from BYU with a BA in history and an emphasis on 19th century American history. On May 1, 1900, International Workers Day, Utah State Coal Mine Inspector Gomer Thomas searched through the wreckage of the Winter Quarters No. 4 Mine,
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April 11, 2023

A Brief on Shorthand

People often use the word “shorthand” to refer to any manner in which they shorten their writing in order to write faster. For example, SMS systems on mobile phones in the late 1990s and early 2000s had strict character limits, charged fees for each message sent, and character input required multiple presses of keys on a very small keypad, which
Featured image for “New Finding Aids at the Archives: March 2023”
April 10, 2023

New Finding Aids at the Archives: March 2023

Our archivists write inventories as finding aids to describe records. Here is the newest one created during March 2023: Inventory of Resolutions from Provo (Utah). City Council, 1949- Inventory of Student tracking cards from Salt Lake City School District (Utah), 1954-1990 Inventory of Draft case transcripts from District Court (Fourth District : Uintah County), 1902-1947 Inventory of Information Practices Act
Featured image for “Ann Eliza Webb: The Woman Who Divorced Brigham Young”
March 22, 2023

Ann Eliza Webb: The Woman Who Divorced Brigham Young

The Utah State Archives and Records Service holds vital records for the state of Utah, including birth and death certificates, divorce records, and court records. Sometimes when perusing these records, an interesting story emerges. In a District Court Territorial Minutes book, Records and Information Management Specialist Maren Peterson unravels the story of Ann Eliza Webb suing her estranged husband, Brigham
Featured image for “A Prescription for What Ails You: Prohibition in 1900 Spanish Fork”
March 15, 2023

A Prescription for What Ails You: Prohibition in 1900 Spanish Fork

A pint of whiskey for a sick cow, a tablespoonful for a teething baby, and a quart of brandy for an ailing mother were some of the many reasons Spanish Fork citizens sought exceptions from the city-wide prohibition of alcohol that went into effect in the year 1900.  On January 25, 1900, the city council of Spanish Fork passed Ordinance
Featured image for “Top Baby Names in Utah 1911 Edition”
March 13, 2023

Top Baby Names in Utah 1911 Edition

The most popular baby names that were given in 1911 according to Utah birth certificates.