News

Featured image for “Utah History Day 2026: History in Government Winners”
May 18, 2026

Utah History Day 2026: History in Government Winners

Every April, students in grades 4–12 from across Utah take part in Utah History Day, part of the larger National History Day (NHD) competition. Participants select a historical topic connected to an annual theme, then conduct primary and secondary research using sources from libraries, archives, museums, and other historical repositories. Final projects are presented as exhibits, documentaries, performances, papers, or websites. In honor of
May 11, 2026

Finding Aids in the Archives: April 2026

Our archivists write inventories as finding aids to describe records. Here are the ones created and updated during the last month: Division of Finance Annual Comprehensive Financial Report, 2025 Heber City (Utah) Administrative records, 1903-1933 Heber City (Utah) Proof of publication of ordinances, 1920-1951 Spanish Fork (Utah) Codified ordinances, 1885-1893 Heber City (Utah) Financial records, 1930-1968 Spanish Fork (Utah) Administrative
Featured image for “From Handwritten Record to Searchable Resource: Transcribing the Spring City Council Diary”
May 6, 2026

From Handwritten Record to Searchable Resource: Transcribing the Spring City Council Diary

The earliest records of a community often live in formats that require patience to use. They are carefully handwritten, rich in detail, but difficult to search or navigate. In the case of Spring City, that story begins quite literally with the opening of its council diary in January 1871, when the city council first met to appoint officers, draft ordinances,
Featured image for “Finding Aids in the Archives: March 2026”
April 12, 2026

Finding Aids in the Archives: March 2026

Our archivists write inventories as finding aids to describe records. Here are the newest ones created during March 2026: District Court (Third District : Tooele County) Civil case files, 1896-1971 Canyons School District (Utah). Mount Jordan Middle School Attendance registers, 1954-1963 Jordan School District (Utah) Sandy Junior High School attendance registers, 1953-1954 The following records were accessioned and may be
Featured image for “ARO Spotlight: Jessica Priskos, Records Manager at Utah State Tax Commission”
April 9, 2026

ARO Spotlight: Jessica Priskos, Records Manager at Utah State Tax Commission

Meet Jessica Priskos, Records Manager for the Utah State Tax Commission. Three years ago, as new state privacy laws began to take effect, she stepped into her role and began organizing and updating her agency’s record series and retention schedules to reflect current business processes—a massive project. She quickly discovered that many schedules hadn’t been updated in decades. Now in
Featured image for “Summer 2026 Internships”
April 1, 2026

Summer 2026 Internships

Applications are now open for summer internships at the Utah State Archives and Records Service! These competitive, stipend-paid internships are designed especially for students. Read more about our four internship opportunities: Records Review Internship Accessioning Internship (x2) Archives History Research Internship More Information These competitive internships require an application and interview. The session will start in June and end in August,
Featured image for “Engaging in the Business of Silk Cultures”
March 19, 2026

Engaging in the Business of Silk Cultures

In 1880, the women of the Ogden 4th Ward Relief Society petitioned the Ogden City council to provide them with an acre of land for them to begin “engaging in the business of silk cultures”. The acreage to be used for cultivating mulberry trees, the essential food for silkworms. Further research suggests that the women of Ogden, like many other
Featured image for “Utah State Historical Records Advisory Board 2026 Grant Awards Announced!”
March 10, 2026

Utah State Historical Records Advisory Board 2026 Grant Awards Announced!

This year, the Utah State Historical Records Advisory Board (USHRAB) awarded over $22,800 in grants to four organizations working to protect and share Utah’s historical records. These projects ensure that students, researchers, families, and the public can continue to explore Utah’s stories for generations to come. Here’s what the grant recipients are working on: Eccles Health Sciences Library Eccles Health Sciences
Featured image for “Finding Aids in the Archives: February 2026”
March 6, 2026

Finding Aids in the Archives: February 2026

The following series inventories were updated by our archivists: Provo (Utah). City Council Ordinances and resolutions State Library Division Annual reports The following records were accessioned and may be accessed through our Reference Room:  State Library Division Annual reports, 1940-2003
Featured image for “Birth Certificates: Copper Mining Connections between Utah and Africa”
March 3, 2026

Birth Certificates: Copper Mining Connections between Utah and Africa

While working on older birth certificates, I happened to notice an unusual residence of both parents in one from 1923: “Kambove Katanga Kongo Belgian Africa.” Normally, I’d expect parents to reside in the same place as the birth of the child. However, Mack Donald Sullivan, the son of Eugene and Lora Sullivan, was born in Salt Lake City on August