Home Alone, Hometown History Edition

Professor Cebula making an impression at NCPH.

I will not be with you this week! This kind of snuck up on me, somehow I did not realize last week that this is the week I am going to the National Council on Public History conference to take part in a Working Group about best practices for universities wanting to create a public history program, and to present about using mobile apps in a public history program with the example of Spokane Historical. But do not fear, dear students, class will meet and you are provided for.

On Tuesday you will meet as ever at the Digital Archives classroom. My grad assistant, Lee Nilsson, will be on hand. Student discussion leaders, please email me your questions on Monday and I will give you my reactions. In class on Tuesday, Lee will take attendance and you will have the discussion, then Lee will demonstrate the use of the online Google form for reporting your signs. Please bring a laptop (a tablet is probably not enough) and your pictures from last week.

On Thursday proceed directly downstairs to the Eastern Region branch where Lee Pierce will be waiting. The goal on Thursday will be to do some preliminary research on your signs. The main records you will use are the city directories, corporation records, and property cards--though Lee may have some additional ideas. Bring a pencil, a digital camera, your laptop, and maybe a sweater (archival research usually requires a sweater). Here are some things to look for as you research:

• Before you go, make a list of terms to research. These will include the address of your building, its name, names and terms on the ghost signs.
• Work the city directories for additional names, both of individuals who lived at your locations but also for business, building owners, etc. When people left where did they go? Are there dominant ethnic groups? What was happening in nearby buildings?
• Property cards will be hit-and-miss, but may have valuable photographs and other information.
• Take careful notes! Start a research notebook and record not just your information but where you got the information, page numbers, and notes of ideas and questions that you have. 
• Taking notes with a camera requires similar care. Keep written notes about what you are photography, but also document everything with images. So if an archivist brings you a box full of folder, begin by photographing the box, then the folder title, and only then the items in the box. Later when you need to cite your research, or retrace your steps, you will easily be able to say that photograph X is from folder Y in box Z at the ABC archives. 
• Good digital hygiene includes backing up your data. Are you using Dropbox?

It should be a good week. I will push back the cemetery essay so we can talk about it in class next week--do not worry about it for now. See you next week!