RLP 284: University Archives with Sam Howes

In this episode of Research Like a Pro, Nicole Dyer and Diana Elder speak with Sam Howes, an archivist at Bates College in Maine. They discuss his work managing the official records of the college, including administrative documents, student records, yearbooks, and special collections. Sam explains what types of materials college archives typically maintain, like trustee meeting minutes, presidential records, alumni newsletters, student government documents, and more. He notes that confidentiality restrictions can limit access to some more recent records. The hosts also ask Sam about how and why archival collections get donated to colleges. He explains that materials often relate to notable alumni or tie into existing collections at the school based on its history. As an example, Bates houses an extensive collection belonging to former Maine governor Edmund Muskie. Sam emphasizes that college archives can contain a treasure trove of unexpected information and encourages contacting the archive in advance when planning a research visit.

This summary was created by Claude.ai.

The building photo in the episode title image is Hedge Hall at Bates College, built in 1890 as a chemical laboratory. Credit to Bates.edu, CC BY 2.0 DEED. See https://flic.kr/p/2p8mqnm. 

Links

Samuel Howes on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/samuel-howes-10a183129/

Sam Howes Contact Info - Bates College Archive - https://www.bates.edu/archives/about-us/staff-directory/

Bates College Archives - https://www.bates.edu/archives/

Edmund Muskie collection - https://www.bates.edu/150-years/bates-greats/edmund-s-muskie/

RLP 142: Researching at a State Archive – Interview with Sam Howes - https://familylocket.com/rlp-142-researching-at-a-state-archive-interview-with-sam-howes/

Research Like a Pro Resources

Airtable Research Logs Quick Reference - by Nicole Dyer - https://familylocket.com/product/airtable-research-logs-for-genealogy-quick-reference/

Research Like a Pro: A Genealogist's Guide book by Diana Elder with Nicole Dyer on Amazon.com - https://amzn.to/2x0ku3d

Research Like a Pro Webinar Series 2023 - monthly case study webinars including documentary evidence and many with DNA evidence - https://familylocket.com/product/research-like-a-pro-webinar-series-2023/ 

Research Like a Pro eCourse - independent study course -  https://familylocket.com/product/research-like-a-pro-e-course/

RLP Study Group - upcoming group and email notification list - https://familylocket.com/services/research-like-a-pro-study-group/

Research Like a Pro with DNA Resources

Research Like a Pro with DNA: A Genealogist's Guide to Finding and Confirming Ancestors with DNA Evidence book by Diana Elder, Nicole Dyer, and Robin Wirthlin - https://amzn.to/3gn0hKx

Research Like a Pro with DNA eCourse - independent study course -  https://familylocket.com/product/research-like-a-pro-with-dna-ecourse/

RLP with DNA Study Group - upcoming group and email notification list - https://familylocket.com/services/research-like-a-pro-with-dna-study-group/

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