by William D. Welge, Research Division Director

Bill Welge here with a bit of important genealogical information for those looking for Cherokee ancestors. On microfilm roll CHN – 66 will be several folders regarding the Cherokee National Orphan Asylum. Occasionally the files will include the names of those individuals who are residents at the home. For instance there is a list of 48 females with their names, age, some with date of birth, what district in the Cherokee Nation they were born, their guardian and the guardian’s Post Office address. This is of particular importance because it is in between the Cherokee 1890 census and the United States census of 1900. The youngest resident is 9 years old and the oldest is 19 years old.

More to come……

by Rachel Mosman, Assistant Photo Archivist

When I first came to the Oklahoma Historical Society to manage the Barney Hillerman photographic collection, I knew very little about historic Oklahoma City. The collection is made up of an estimated 750,000 images, mostly triacetate negatives, but also 35 mm film, nitrate negatives and prints. Many of the images are related to business in the area between the 1920s and 1960s, and include images of buildings in downtown Oklahoma City. As I processed the collection, the images coalesced in my mind to create a popular and thriving city. But the skyline of the 1930s wasn’t the same skyline I was familiar with.

Learning about Urban Renewal was emotional, as it explained what happened to the historic city that I’d grown to love. Because the old city became so alive to me through these images, I felt it was important to create a project to share my experience with others. Using Sanborn fire maps, Polk directories, and other resources, I was able to create a visual orientation for the viewer. The bibliography identifies resources that are highly recommendable for those who want to learn more about Urban Renewal and historic Oklahoma City.

Now when I walk through downtown Oklahoma City, I see the city less for what’s missing, and instead as an (architectural? Structural?) palimpsest. I recognize the old city synthesized into the new, and appreciate the efforts that our people have put into preserving and enhancing downtown.

Thanks to Bob Blackburn, Linda Schwan, and Bill Welge for helping produce this project. I especially thank Jennifer Towry for designing and coordinating the online product. I hope that it will bring the city to life for you, as it’s done for us.

Click to visit the Hillerman Map Project.

The Hillerman Collection includes other subjects, including families, residences, sports, clubs and events, transportation, advertisements, oil, occupations, and many more. Please visit the Hillerman Collection page to learn more.

by Paul C. Quillian, Volunteer Archivist and Lorie L. Quillin Davis

The USS Oklahoma Association Collection is now available for public use and research projects in the Research Center of the Oklahoma History Center. The collection consists of papers, records, publications and other ephemera spanning nine decades. (more…)

By William D. Welge, Director of the Research Division

In the early 1980s the Indian Archives, now the Research Division, was allowed to copy from an original ledger book information relative to the Chickasaw Nation. The book was in the possession of an A.C. West from Texas. The book had been in his family for some years. What makes it so important is that it is the earliest recorded history of the Chickasaw people after their removal to Indian Territory in 1837. The 100 plus page journal was indexed in 1985 to assist researchers.

The volume will include, among other things, information covering aspects of tribal government and national life, court records, elections of national and district officers, acts and resolutions passed by the national legislature, lists of the Chickasaw Lighthorse (national police), divorces, and the murder of Benjamin Love. The copies were microfilmed on roll CKN 30, but copies also can be found in the vertical files under Chickasaw Indians-Courts.