FAzA Projects
From time to time, Friends of Arizona Archives undertakes special projects to improve Arizona's historical archive facilities, protect archival holdings, and increase archives' accessibility to researchers and the public.
FAzA Proposal for Records Database Approved as Centennial Project
To commemorate Arizona's centennial in 2012, and reflecting its commitment to improving public access to Arizona's historical archives, FAzA has begun compiling a searchable database of public historical records in and related to Arizona.
A proposal for the database project has been approved by the Arizona Historical Advisory Commission and designated as a Centennial Legacy Project.
The first phase of the project, a preliminary survey of Arizona historians, archivists, and librarians, is now underway.
Preliminary Records Survey
FAzA is now surveying Arizona historians, archivists, and librarians to identify sources of documents relating to Arizona history. You can help us by participating in this survey.
The survey form is in MS Word and can be easily filled out and returned by email.
Anyone who works at an archive or library in Arizona, or who has done historical research in and on Arizona, probably has information that would be helpful to this project, and we are asking you to share that with us.
The preliminary survey is the first step in identifying sources of official and quasi-official documents relating to Arizona history that can be found in private collections, federal agencies, church records, cemetery records, out-of-state collections, and other sources.
We are looking for documents and photos of elected and appointed officials and significant events in Arizona history. This project does not include all kinds of materials related to Arizona history, only those of a governmental or quasi-official nature such as baptismal records.
We are especially eager to hear from archivists and librarians who work for agencies and organizations that probably have the types of materials we are seeking, as well as from researchers whose work has taken them to places where that kind of information is housed, whether in Arizona or elsewhere.
We are also looking for information about individuals who have worked to preserve documents at any level of government. Do you know someone who rescued materials from a dumpster, who set up a library for documents, or who persuaded some agency to keep records? Many of these unsung heroes are in local communities or in local government departments where their work is under-appreciated. We would like to recognize them.
We are also seeking examples of situations where documents have been lost either through intentional destruction or through catastrophes such as floods.
About the Database
The database will complement current efforts by the Arizona State Libraries, Archives and Public Records (ASLAPR) to document sources of state and local public records in Arizona. The FAzA project will document additional sources such as federal agencies, Native American tribes, public-private agencies such as Salt River Project, nongovernmental private collections, church archives, and community organizations. The FAzA database will also reference collections available outside Arizona.
The database will not be a bibliography, but a list of sources by category, such as dams, territorial governors, toll roads, and water projects. Sources will be identified by time frame, general content, and appropriate information such as type of materials (photos, letters, etc.). For example, we would list "letters of territorial officials" as a category, rather than itemize each letter. Since we are including the territorial period, we are especially looking for sources of early materials.
In addition, the project will document the history of public records preservation in Arizona, compile stories of preservation successes and losses, and celebrate selected individuals who have been responsible for records preservation in various ways.
The product of this effort will be a searchable computer database available on the web, at ASLAPR, libraries, and on DVD or flash drives for interested individuals and/or organizations. Some paper copies may be produced for libraries and historical societies. The brief history of records preservation and significant individuals will be produced separately as a booklet.
The Centennial Legacy Project designation is honorary and does not include any funding. FAzA must itself raise the funds needed for the project, which has been estimated to cost $9,000.
The project is being headed by FAzA board members Jane Eppinga and Barbara Tellman, who are currently working to identify project tasks, funding sources, and goals. If you are interested in helping to fund or carry out the project, please contact them.
Free Pencils for Arizona Archives
Ever wonder where those FAzA pencils you see at your local archive came from? We donated them!
FAzA has a longtime program to provide historical archives with pencils that can be used by their patrons.
The full-length No. 2 pencils have erasers and are imprinted with FAzA's name and contact information. Contact FAzA today to arrange a pencil donation to your archive.