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On a recent tour of Historic Deepwood Estate a group of school
children sat on the parlor floor attentively listening to
the tour guide. During her introduction to the house, she
presented a number of historic facts and stories describing
the families that had lived there and the way people lived
at the turn of the last century. When she asked the group
if there were any questions, one boy raised his hand and asked
"How do you know all these things?" The tour guide politely
responded "Through research!" and then explained how people
gather historical information from a variety of written, printed
and visual sources to help understand what had happened in
the past.
To gain a better understanding of a particular
historic person, topic or event researchers often review a
number of sources of information. Since historic information
is recorded in variety of different ways, researchers must
often piece together facts from books, newspapers, photographs,
maps, diaries, letters, and other sources. These documents
may be preserved in libraries, archives or other repositories.
Local Links has been created to assist you in locating various
places in Salem where historic information and documents are
preserved.
We invite you to browse each repositories' website
then visit those places which might provide the best information
for your research project. Many of the repositories listed
below function differently than a public or school library.
Fragile books and other materials may be requested from a
librarian or archivist and cannot be selected from open shelves.
You may also be asked to write only with pencil to avoid marking
fragile items with permanent inks. Handling photographs may
require the use of white cotton gloves to keep oils on your
hands from leaving permanent prints. There may also be limitations
on your ability to photocopy historic materials without assistance.
At first these simple rules may seem cumbersome
and frustrating. It is important to remember, however, that
the historic materials you are using are available to you
because many people have used them with similar care in the
past. To avoid any confusion you may want to discuss any use
restrictions with the staff before you begin your research.
You are also encouraged to practice your research skills at
the Salem Public Library or Marion County Historical Society
before visiting repositories which are set-up for patrons
with more research experience.
Salem Public Library
http://www.salemlibrary.org/
Historic Photograph Collection
Every research project on Salem history should
begin with a visit to the Salem Public Library. The Hugh Morrow
Collection, located to the right of the Salem Heritage Room,
contains an extensive collection of books, city and telephone
directories and various pamphlets on Salem history. The Ben
Maxwell Collection is an excellent source of photographic
images of Salem as well as clippings and copies of Maxwell'
s news stories. Back issues of the Capital Journal (1892-1972),
Oregon Statesman ( 1851 - 1980) and Statesman-Journal (1980
to present) are available on microfilm along with other Oregon
newspapers. Genealogical researchers will find a wealth of
information in the Oregon Marriage and Divorce Index, the
Oregon Biographical Index and the Oregon Death Index.
Marion County Historical Society
http://www.open.org/~mchs/
Complimenting the museum' s exhibits is a research
library which contains a variety of books, publications and
typed manuscripts on Marion County history. Research materials,
including an extensive photo collection, are arranged for
easy access and use.
Salem Historical Quarterly
http://www.salemquarterly.com/
Salem Historical Quarterly lists exhibits and
events at twenty local historical sites in Oregon's capital
city during a current three month period. The new downtown
Convention Center, located in the center of our historical
community, has opened and is receiving visitors. We invite
them, as well as our fellow Salem citizens, to use this website
to acquaint themselves with our local historical sites just
a few steps away from this newest local attraction. Four historical
walking tours, beginning near the Conference Center are also
described in this website. Except for the Polk County locations
in West Salem, across the Willamette, the twenty historical
sites are all located in or near the center of our city and
may be visited in any order. Notice the times when various
sites are open and that a few may be visited only by appointment
or may have admission charges. Parking information is also
included.
Willamette Valley Genealogical Society
http://www.osl.state.or.us/home/gen/wvgs.html
Located on the second floor of the Oregon State
Library, the Willamette Valley Genealogical Society assists
researchers with projects documenting specific families or
individuals. Knowledgeable volunteers are available to guide
patrons using microfilmed newspapers, published works and
family histories.
Oregon State Library
http://www.osl.state.or.us/home/
The Oregon State Library has a unique collection
of State of Oregon documents, historic photographs and manuscripts
on Oregon history, with emphasis on Salem and Oregon State
Government. For information regarding holdings, access and
hours available for research contact the Oregoniana Specialist
at (503) 378-4277 ext. 238.
Oregon State Archives
http://arcweb.sos.state.or.us/
An important aspect of Salem’s history is its
role as Oregon’s state capital. The Oregon State Archive is
the permanent repository for state records as well as an excellent
source for genealogical information. Though some gaps do exist
in their historic documents due to the Capitol fire in 1935,
researchers will find a wealth of historical documentation
including birth and death records, military records and maps
in addition to a variety of government records.
Willamette University Library
http://library.willamette.edu/home/
The Mark O. Hatfield Library addresses the needs
of Willamette University students and most of the materials
on Salem' s history duplicate publications found in other
libraries. To document Willamette University, as an aspect
of Salem's history, a variety of yearbooks, micro filmed newspapers
and college catalogs are available. For research involving
the history of the Methodist Church, and related personalities,
researchers should write the United Methodist Archives, Oregon-Idaho
Conference, 680 State Street, B-60, Salem Oregon, 97301 to
schedule an appointment with the archivist.
Salem Pioneer Cemetery
http://www.open.org/~pioneerc/
Salem Pioneer Cemetery is located at the corner
of Hoyt and Commercial Streets in South Salem. The land on
which the cemetery is located was originally part of the Reverend
David Leslie land claim and was set aside by him for family
burials in 1841.The web site offers index listings of those
buried at the cemetery including name, date of burial, birth,
death and plot location.
Other sources of cemetery
information:
Salem/Marion county cemetery information
Compiled by Ross Sutherland, Deepwood Estate
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