When was the last time you checked primary sources?

I was looking at the website for our local City of Mesa Public Library and I noticed the following description of services:

• Reference and research assistance on Mesa topics
• Access to archival manuscripts and oral histories documenting a diverse citizenry and prominent Mesans; personal papers and biographies of founding families; archival records of Mesa community organizations and businesses; current information on Mesa schools, businesses, and organizations; maps of Mesa, past and present; and photographs of Mesa and its peoples
• Access to current publications, as well as permanent historic records created by Mesa municipal agencies
• Programs, workshops, and outreach to help Mesans learn about their heritage and how to preserve it
• Consulting for individuals, agencies, and organizations on preservation of historical records and disaster mitigation and recovery

I began wondering how many times genealogical researchers seek out original source material stored in libraries, archives, historical societies and other repositories around the world? I am certain that this is not a common as you might suppose. I mentioned before that we have an active organization of "professional" genealogists in our state, but I have never seen or met any of these people at the Mesa FamilySearch Library except those who actually work there. This has often caused me to wonder whether or not the genealogical community, for the most part, relies on the "easily" obtainable records online and ignores records that may not be indexed or organized?

I ran across this website from the University of Idaho called Repositories of Primary Sources. The site has been maintained since at least 1995 and has over 5000 repositories listed worldwide. This type of list is valuable for the reason that it gives a graphic example of the places genealogists hardly use or look at. What is important to realize about these locations is the amount of material that is unindexed, unorganized and simply sitting in boxes or on shelves. I thought I might give an example of what I am talking about by listing all of the items cataloged on one of my ancestors sitting in the University of Utah Special Collections Library in Salt Lake City, Utah. I am adding that list to the end of this post.

As you look at the list below, think about the number of documents in this one collection in one library in one city in a state where I do not live. Then look at the website referenced above and click on the list of repositories in the state of Massachusetts or New York. You might want to look at Pennsylvania or Ohio. How long would it take you to determine that these repositories did not have any information about your family? You might be able to understand why I think it is ludicrous when some one tells me that they have searched everywhere to find an ancestor. That type of statement tells me the person has no idea what types and quantity of records are sitting in libraries and other repositories across the country and around the world.

When you look at the list below, think about all the other names of people mentioned in this one individual's "papers." How many of the descendants of these people know that there is information sitting in boxes and folders in the University of Utah Special Collections Library under my ancestor's name? Notice the list of diaries and other materials from various people in this one file.

Sometimes I just sit there staring at my computer screen and feeling the huge weight of all the records I will never have time to review or organize during my lifetime. I feel so sorry for people who waste time researching without knowing where or how to look for information. I also feel sad when I talk to people who give up looking because the don't want to take the time to do systematic actual research into what documents and sources are available.

One observation, note that there is a 24 hour notice requirement and that parts of these records might be restricted. Why?

Well, here is the list. Just think about what might be located in a library where your ancestors lived, waiting to be examined:

Collection Overview +/-

Title:	John Hamilton Morgan papers
Dates:	1845-1986 (inclusive)
Collection Number:	Accn1465
Summary:	The John Hamilton Morgan papers (1845-1986) detail the personal, professional, and religious activities of John Morgan (1842-1894), a noted Utah educator and Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (LDS) leader.
Repository:	J. Willard Marriott Library, University of Utah
Address:	Special Collections 295 South 1500 East Salt Lake City, Utah 84112 801-581-8864

Collection Inventory +/-

box 1: Journals and Letters

folder 1-16: Typescript of John Morgan's Journal (1875-1892)

folder 17: Handwritten Letters from John Morgan (1874-1888)

folder 18: John Morgan, Doctrines of the Church of Jesus Christ, Its Faith and Teachings

volume 1: "Volume 1, Letters and Articles on the Missionary Labors of Pres. John Morgan" (1872-1879)

volume 2: "Volume 2, Letters and Articles on the Missionary Labors of Pres. John Morgan" (1879-1894)

box 2: Letters and Personal Papers

folder 1: Miscellaneous Typescript Letters From John Morgan (1863-1886)

folder 2-12: Typescript Letters from John Morgan to Church Leaders (1878-1887)

folder 13: Miscellaneous Letters to John Morgan (1877-1878)

folder 14: Report of Southern Emigrants (1877)

folder 15: John Morgan, "Riding the Denver and Rio Grande Railroad in 1878"

folder 16: Typescript of Speeches and Services Given by John Morgan (1888-1893)

folder 17: Quotations from the Patriarchal Blessing of John Morgan (1875)

box 3: Missionary and Government Work

folder 1: List of Missionaries and Dates of Service

folder 2: Missionary Records for the Southern States Mission (1875-1888)

folder 3: List of the Converts of John Morgan on First Mission (1876)

folder 4: List of Meetings Attended by John Morgan on Second and Third Missions (1878-1880)

folder 5: List of Conferences Established by John Morgan while Organizing the Southern States Mission (1882)

folder 6: Gospel Messages

folder 7: Missionary Names and Addresses

folder 8-9: Typescript of Southern States Mission Reports (1875-1887)

folder 10-16: "Settlement of San Luis Valley, Colorado by the Mormon People in 1878"

folder 17: Articles Concerning the San Luis Valley Settlements

"The Founding of Mormon Settlements in the San Luis Valley, Colorado," by Andrew Jenson; "The San Luis Valley, Colorado. The Beginning of its Early Colonization by Mormons," by D. H. Christensen.

folder 18: San Luis Valley, Colorado (1878-1888)

Items contain geographic and demographic information.

folder 19: Governor and Appropriation Bill of 1884, Utah Territorial Legislature

folder 20: John Morgan's Reaction to the Shooting of an Elder (1884) (1886)

folder 21: Salt Lake Academy and the Chambers of Commerce (1881-1894)

folder 22-25: Historical Monument Dedications and Corporation Beginnings (1848-1898)

Organizations and monuments included are Salt Lake Theater Company, Bowery, Pioneer Park, Liberty Park, Fort Douglas, Salt Lake schools, the Old and New Tabernacle, Utah Affair, Zion's Corporation Mercantile Institution, Union Academy, and others.

folder 26: Presidents and First Counselors to the President of the LDS Church

folder 27-42: Church Business and Decisions (1867-1887)

box 4: Research Material

folder 1-32: Typed Version of John Morgan's Journal Told in the Third Person (1875-1892)

folder 33: Notes for Corrections of John Morgan's Journal

box 5: Research Materials

folder 1-10: Narrative Based on the Diaries of John Morgan

folder 11: Historic Events in the Life of John Morgan

folder 12-13: Research Material on his Soldier Career

folder 14-16: Information, Photographs and Maps of the Civil War

folder 17: Information and Photographs about John Morgan and his Family

folder 18: Letters Written About John Morgan (1845-1914)

folder 19: An Article Written About John Morgan (1982)

folder 20-21: Miscellaneous Biography Research Material

folder 22: John Morgan "Experiences," Published Version (1964)

folder 23-25: John Morgan "Experiences," Drafts

folder 26-27: Photographs of Missionary Work in Manassa, Colorado (1877-1910)

folder 28: Photographs of Missionary Work in Pueblo, Colorado (1970-1986)

folder 29: Information and Photographs about the Death of John Morgan and Other Church Members

folder 30: "In Memoriam" and Other Tributes to John Morgan (1947-1959)

box 6: Research Materials

folder 1: Rough Draft of John Morgan Biography

folder 2-4: Final Draft of John Morgan Biography

folder 5-6: Matthias F. Cowley and John W. Taylor, Correspondence (1877-1882)

folder 7: History of Matthias F. Cowley

folder 8: Diary of James Thomas Lisonbee (1876-1877)

folder 9: History of Ellen Amelia Johnson Lisonbee

folder 10: History of Annie Catherine Christensen

folder 11: History of the Kirtland Family (1944)

folder 12: "Louis M. Peterson in Connection with Hans Jensen Mission"

This article was taken from "Histories of the Old Council House of Manti" (1935), and this copy was made July 10, 1947.

folder 13: Miscellaneous Papers Pertaining to John Morgan

Content Description +/-

The John Hamilton Morgan papers (1845-1986) detail the personal, professional, and religious activities of John Morgan (1842-1894), a noted Utah educator and Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (LDS) leader. The collection includes letters (1875-1894) and journals (1875-1892) written while Morgan served as a Union soldier in the Civil War; while he conducted LDS Church business as a missionary leader and a ranking member of the LDS Church hierarchy; and while he acted on political issues. Official papers concerning LDS Church affairs and Morgan's government involvement, as well as biographical and religious articles written by and about John Morgan, also appear in the collection. Much of the collection's information concerns the settlement of the San Luis Valley, Colorado, where many LDS converts settled after arriving there (under Morgan's leadership) from the newly-formed Southern States Mission. While most of the material originated in Morgan's lifetime, collections of his inspirational stories, tributes to his memory, and a biography were produced posthumously.

Collection Use +/-

Restrictions on Access:

Twenty-four hours advance notice encouraged. Access to parts of this collection may be restricted under provisions of state or federal law.