Paper Archives

Remembering Veterans: World War I

On May 27, 2011, in Artifacts, Government Records, Paper Archives, by Amanda
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In honor of the upcoming Memorial Day holiday, we will be highlighting collections related to the military history of Mississippi and veterans who served the state beginning with the territorial militia in 1797 through World War II (the most recent engagement for which we have collections). Special thanks to Jim Pitts, of the MDAH Government Records section, for compiling the military records and their descriptions and to Nan Prince, Museum Division, for compiling the artifacts.

World War I uniform coat. Accession Number: 1985.45.1 (Museum of Mississippi History Collection)

World War I uniform coat. Accession Number: 1985.45.1 (Museum of Mississippi History Collection)

This World War I uniform coat belonged to Luther Manship, Jr., of Jackson.  In 1917, he served as an artillery officer and for a time was attached to the British Army and American Air Forces in France.

Artifacts in the collection of the Museum of Mississippi History are available for viewing by appointment only. Please contact Cindy Gardner, Director of Collections or Nan Prince, Asst. Director of Collections by email to schedule an appointment.

Draft registration card of Albert Pitts. From: National Archives microfilm; World War One Draft Registration Cards from Mississippi.

Draft registration card of Albert Pitts. From: National Archives microfilm; World War One Draft Registration Cards from Mississippi.

The image above shows the May 1917 draft registration card of a Mississippian who was already involved in military training at the Reserve Officer Training Camp in Plattsburg, NY.

Statement of service cards for Albert Pitts. Call Number: Series 1731. Miss. World War One Statement of Service Cards, 1917-1919 (MDAH Collection)

Statement of service cards for Albert Pitts. Call Number: Series 1731. Miss. World War One Statement of Service Cards, 1917-1919 (MDAH Collection)

The above image shows the same soldier’s World War I statement of service cards, showing that he was in the Army Air Service and served overseas in France.

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Remembering Veterans: Territorial Militia

On May 16, 2011, in Government Records, Paper Archives, by Amanda
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In honor of the upcoming Memorial Day holiday, we will be highlighting collections related to the military history of Mississippi and veterans who served the state beginning with the territorial militia in 1797 through World War II (the most recent engagement for which we have collections). Special thanks to Jim Pitts, of the MDAH Government Records section, for compiling the military records and their descriptions.

Territorial militia muster roll. Call Number: Series 487. Military Papers, 1807-1815 (MDAH Collection)

Territorial militia muster roll. Call Number: Series 487. Military Papers, 1807-1815 (MDAH Collection)

From the establishment of the Mississippi Territory in 1797 until statehood in 1817, a territorial militia was maintained and then carried over into statehood. This militia eventually became the Mississippi National Guard. Occasionally elements of this militia were called to national service (similar to the current practice of federalizing the National Guard).

Compiled service record for Territorial Militia soldier. From: National Archives microfilm; index to compiled service records of volunteers from 1784 to 1811

Compiled service record for Territorial Militia soldier. From: National Archives microfilm; index to compiled service records of volunteers from 1784 to 1811

The image above is of the compiled service record of a volunteer in the Mississippi Territory Militia. MDAH holds these records on microfilm. See the other types of military service records at MDAH by going to the “Military Records” section of the “Master List of Microfilm” search option on the catalog page.

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Passports and NYA: Government Records Online

On April 28, 2011, in Digital Archives, Government Records, Paper Archives, Photographs, by Amanda
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Editor’s Note: The blog has been neglecting the task of announcing additions to our digital holdings (usually non-digitized items that have recently been scanned). This will be the last post dedicated to updating readers about collections that are now available to view online (that is until more collections are scanned)!

Passport affidavit, August 5, 1811. From Series 501: Passport Records 1811-1814 (MDAH Collection)

Passport affidavit, August 5, 1811. From Series 501: Passport Records 1811-1814 (MDAH Collection)

These records are available to view online through the Government Archives page of the Digital Archives or by clicking the links below.

"Cakes and smiles at McAdams Girls Homemaking Unit." "NYA. III-A-4" "The Home Economics teacher and cooks." NYA Work Projects Photograph Album. Call Number: Series 2018, No. 165 (MDAH Collection)

"Cakes and smiles at McAdams Girls Homemaking Unit." "NYA. III-A-4" "The Home Economics teacher and cooks." NYA Work Projects Photograph Album. Call Number: Series 2018, No. 165 (MDAH Collection)

"Hattiesburg Auto Shop at old location. Top view shows youth turning down armature on lathe." "NYA. II-B-18" 1938. NYA Work Projects Photograph Album. Call Number: Series 2018, No. 160 (MDAH Collection)

"Hattiesburg Auto Shop at old location. Top view shows youth turning down armature on lathe." "NYA. II-B-18" 1938. NYA Work Projects Photograph Album. Call Number: Series 2018, No. 160 (MDAH Collection)

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Women in Mississippi

On March 22, 2011, in Paper Archives, Photographs, Portraits, by Amanda
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March is Women’s History Month and we are recognizing Mississippi women here on the blog! Read on to find out more about some of Mississippi’s notable women and their records at MDAH.

Governor William F. Winter, Eudora Welty, Leontyne Price, and Mrs. William Winter at Governor Winter's inauguration in 1980. Call Number: PI/PER/1981.0024 Item 2 (MDAH Collection)

Governor William F. Winter, Eudora Welty, Leontyne Price, and Mrs. William Winter at Governor Winter's inauguration in 1980. Call Number: PI/PER/1981.0024 Item 2 (MDAH Collection)

Eudora Welty (1909-2001) was a major American writer who published novels (including the Pulitzer Prize-winning The Optimist’s Daughter), short stories, a memoir, and photographs, and wrote all of her fiction in her family home at 1119 Pinehurst Street in Jackson. She left her home and collection of books to the state of Mississippi and the home is now open to the public as the Eudora Welty House. The house was restored by MDAH to its mid-1980s appearance, the last period when Welty was still writing daily. Her papers are cataloged in the MDAH collection as the Welty (Eudora) Collection, Z/0301.000/S

Soprano Leontyne Price (1927-) was born in Laurel, Mississippi. As a young woman, she moved to New York City to study at Juilliard and there began a singing career that eventually won her eighteen Grammy awards. In 1955 Price was engaged to sing the lead for the National Broadcasting Company’s production of Puccini’s Tosca. There were strenuous objections, and some cancellations, from local affiliates; nonetheless, her performance was a critical success. By the mid 1960s, Price was considered one of the world’s great divas. Price retired from the opera stage at the Met in 1985 with her signature role, Aida. The live telecast was viewed by millions. There are many photographs, books, and subject files about Price in the MDAH collection.

Burnita Sheldon Matthews. Accession Number: 1993.14.1 (Museum of Mississippi History Collection)

Burnita Sheldon Matthews. Accession Number: 1993.14.1 (Museum of Mississippi History Collection)

Burnita Shelton Matthews (1894-1988) was the first woman to be appointed and confirmed as a federal trial judge in the United States. Born in Copiah County, she received her law degree from the National University Law School in Washington, D. C., and was admitted to the bar in 1920. Unable to find a private firm or government agency that would hire a woman, Matthews opened her own practice. She became an ardent suffragist and feminist. In 1949 President Harry Truman appointed Matthews to the United States District Court in Washington, D. C., where she served until taking senior status in 1968. During this time Matthews served by designation on the United States Court of Appeals as well as on the U.S. District Court. She retired from the bench in September 1983 and died in 1988.

During her distinguished career Matthews presided over several noteworthy legal actions including the bribery trial of Jimmy Hoffa and the passport denial of singer and communist activist Paul Robeson. Her papers are cataloged in the MDAH collection as the “Matthews (Burnita Shelton) Papers,” Z/1965.000/S.

Charlotte Capers

Charlotte Capers

Charlotte Capers (1913-1996) was the first female head of a state agency in Mississippi. She began working at the Mississippi Department of Archives and History in 1938 under director Dr. William D. McCain (1907-1993). When Dr. McCain was called to active military service from 1943-45 and 1951-53, Capers was acting director of MDAH. After McCain stepped down to become president of Mississippi Southern College, Capers became director, serving from 1955-69. Her major projects included the restoration of the Old Capitol from 1959-61, the construction of a new archives building (completed in 1971 and named the Charlotte Capers Building in 1983), and the restoration of the Mississippi Governor’s Mansion from 1972-75. After resigning as department director Capers became Special Projects Assistant and continued working for MDAH, editing the Mississippi History Newsletter until 1987.  MDAH has many of her publications, including The Capers Papers, in the collection. Her papers are cataloged as Capers (Charlotte) Papers, Z/0958.001 and Capers (Charlotte) Scrapbook, Z/0958.000.

For more on Women’s History Month, check out these pieces from the blog-o-sphere:

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Origins of the Mississippi Department of Archives and History

On March 3, 2011, in Digital Archives, Paper Archives, Photographs, Portraits, by Amanda
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This series explores the life of Dunbar Rowland (1864-1937), first director of the Mississippi Department of Archives and History. He served from 1902 to 1937.

Stephen D. Lee. Call Number: PI/PER/L44.1 Item 9 (MDAH Collection)

Stephen D. Lee. Call Number: PI/PER/L44.1 Item 9 (MDAH Collection)

The germ of the idea for the department started within the Mississippi Historical Society, which was revived in 1898 by Franklin L. Riley (1868-1929) after unsuccessful starts in 1858 and 1890. The society, under the leadership of former Confederate general Stephen D. Lee (1833-1908) and Riley, collected and published historical documents from around the state, the costs of which were paid by the membership. In 1900, the executive committee of the society appealed to the legislature for an appropriation to defray publication expenses, saying:

It would be assuredly unreasonable to expect a few public-spirited citizens to do all of this work and to pay besides the expenses of issuing the necessary publications, even if they could do so. This is a public work and should command the interest of every citizen who loves his State and has a pride in its history.1

In addition to the appropriation, they asked the legislature to appoint five persons from within the society to a Mississippi Historical Commission. The purpose of the commission would be,

without expense to the State for their labor, to make a full, detailed and exhaustive examination of all sources and materials, manuscript, documentary and record, of the history of Mississippi from the earliest times, whether in the State or elsewhere, including the records of Mississippi troops in all wars in which they have participated, and also of the location and present condition of battlefields, historic houses and buildings.2

The commission would then present a report on the condition of the records to the next session of the legislature, along with their recommendations on their care. The proposed bill passed on March 2, 1900, and the legislature appropriated $1,000 annually for 1900 and 1901 for publishing expenses.

Franklin L. Riley Papers, MDAH Collection. Z/0583.000F. Circular letter announcing the Historical Commission in 1900, page 1

Franklin L. Riley Papers, MDAH Collection. Z/0583.000F. Circular letter announcing the establishment of the Mississippi Historical Commission in 1900, page 1

The Historical Commission submitted its report to the governor on November 1, 1901. The report was later published in volume five of Publications of the Mississippi Historical Society (1902). Along with an extensive catalog of manuscript collections and archives from around Mississippi and in other states, the commission members recommended that the collections of the society be donated to the state to form the “nucleus” of a Department of Archives and History and “that a Director of Archives and History be chosen who shall have charge of the proposed Department.”3

Andrew Longino. Call Number: PI/1989.0008 (MDAH Collection)

Andrew Longino. Call Number: PI/1989.0008 (MDAH Collection)

Governor Andrew Longino approved these recommendations, because at the next session of the legislature, which began on January 7, 1902, he submitted a letter (January 14) to the legislators asking them to establish a Department of Archives and History “under the auspices of the Mississippi Historical Society, to prescribe its functions and duties, and to provide for its maintenance and for the issuing of future publications of the Mississippi Historical Society.” The next day, Senate Bill No. 26 was introduced by Senator E. H. Moore of Bolivar County. This bill passed the Senate within a month’s time and was approved by the House of Representatives on February 24, 1902, becoming law on February 26, 1902. Senate Bill No. 72, the act for the maintenance of the new department, became law the same day.4

The newly created department now needed a director.

1 Franklin L. Riley, ed., Publications of the Mississippi Historical Society, vol. III, (Oxford, Mississippi: Mississippi Historical Society, 1900), 17.

2 Riley, Publications, vol. V (Oxford, Mississippi: Mississippi Historical Society, 1902), 7.

3 Ibid., 32, 34.

4 Dunbar Rowland, First Annual Report of the Director of the Department of Archives and History of the State of Mississippi from March 14, 1902, to October 1st, 1902, 2nd ed. (Jackson, Miss: MDAH, 1911), 5-6 (MDAH).

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