A Genealogist In The Archives: Researching Behind Closed Doors in the "Stacks"

Genealogists are always looking for new, unique or unknown record sources to research in to find their ancestors. One of the best places to find these types of records is in an archive. An archive could be a county archive, a state archive, historical society, genealogical society, university archive or even a museum. Anywhere genealogical and historical records are stored and preserved is considered an archive.

"The Stacks" in an Archive

A popular phrase that a genealogist might hear in an archive is “The Stacks”. According to the Society of American Archivists Glossary of Archival and Records Terminology (https://www2.archivists.org/glossary), the word stacks is defined as “an area where materials are stored, especially an area furnished principally with shelving”. The area where the stacks are located is usually behind closed doors and not visible by the genealogist in the research area of the archive.

So, what kind genealogy records can be found in the stacks?

· Manuscript Collections: These collections of records are some of the most valuable and useful records to the genealogist. The archive should have an index of their Manuscript Collections either in paper form, on their website or on an in-house computer. Once you have found a specific collection that you want to look at, for instance maybe the collection is entitled “The John Smith Papers 1648-1772”, ask to see the Finding Aid. The Finding Aid is a document that is a box-by-box, folder-by-folder description of what is contained in the specifically named collection. Be aware that each and every document, photograph or record is not individually named in the Finding Aid. You will probably have listings that look something like, “Box #1, Folder #3: Correspondence 1762-1772”. If you feel that there could be something in this folder of interest to your research, then you can request that the folder be pulled so you can examine it.

Houston County Irish Celebration Manuscript Collection, Houston County, TN. Archives

· Vertical Files: This collection of records, sometimes called Subject Files, are a hodge-podge of individual documents stored in file folders and then in filing cabinets. These filing cabinets are sometimes found in the research area of the archive but many times they are located in back rooms among the stacks. Vertical Files can include obituary clippings, family genealogies, family group sheets and other various unique documents. The records found in vertical files are normally donated records or records found during the archiving process that do not belong to any other larger collection of records. There should be an index to the vertical files that could include surnames, subject names or location names. This collection is a great place to find records that are not microfilmed or digitized.

Vertical Files, Houston County, TN. Archives

· Loose Records: Loose records are considered the “working papers” or “accompanying paper work” to records that are in bound volumes. Loose records, many times, can hold additional information and fantastic discoveries for the genealogist. It is always a good idea to ask the archivist about loose records in their collections. Some examples of record collections that could have loose records associated with them are court records, marriage records and probate records.

Loose Court Records, Houston County, TN. Archives

These three types of records that are found in the stacks is just the tip of the genealogy iceberg when it comes to records stored behind closed doors. The best way to find out about what records are available is to talk to the archivist and staff at the archives. Ask them about the records that are housed in the stacks and see if they have an index or finding aid that will help you know if the records are important to your research.

The next time you are visiting or contacting an archive, ask about “The Stacks”.

REMEMBER: IT'S NOT ALL ONLINE, CONTACT OR VISIT AN ARCHIVE TODAY!

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