The Archivist's Bulldog

Vol. 10 No. 1, Newsletter of the Maryland State Archives, January 8, 1996

ED'S ACTIVITIES
by Mimi Calver

[photograph of Governor Parris N. Glendening and Ed at the Maryland Technology College Showcase]
Governor Parris N. Glendening and Ed at the Maryland Technology College Showcase

Ed and Rocky spent two days in December at the Maryland Technology College Showcase, demonstrating the Archives' electronic classroom, as well as the new service Who Are Your Elected Officials?, which allows any Maryland resident to find out who his or her General Assembly and Congressional representatives are just by typing in a home street address. This unique service was designed by Ed, and implemented by Gil Funk, of Global Access Communications, Inc., with assistance from Glenn, Betsy and Lynne.

Two visitors to the Archives' classroom were Governor Parris Glendening and his Chief of Staff Major Riddick. The Governor spent almost one-half hour looking at the electronic classroom and talking to a class of students from Prince George's County. Mr. Riddick visited with a class of middle school students who also got to watch his interview with MPT which took place in the Archives' classroom. Both the Governor and Mr. Riddick saw a demonstration of Who Are Your Elected Officials?.

The Technology College took place on December 12-13 at the University of Baltimore and was intended to show how Maryland government is using technology to improve service to citizens. During the two days, Ed and Rocky presented Documents for the Classroom, using the technology of the World Wide Web, to a number of classes of middle and high school students, as well as to the general public.

On Tuesday, December 19, Ed took part in the unveiling of the model of the memorial to Thurgood Marshall which will be built this year on Lawyers' Mall in Annapolis. Ed is a member of the Governor's Commission on the Thurgood Marshall Memorial which selected the design, by Antonio Tobias Mendez, after a nationwide competition. The model of the memorial is on display in the State House, and the case for it was built by Rob MacAdam. Mimi Calver and Elaine Rice worked with staff at DHCD to help with the ceremony which was held in the State House. Governor Parris N. Glendening, Lt. Governor Kathleen Kennedy Townsend and Thurgood Marshall's widow, Cecilia Marshall, were among the many dignitaries who were present.


VOLUNTEER NEWS

Everyone at the Archives was sad to hear of the death of Gene Clements. He has been a reference volunteer of a number of years as well as a member of the Search Room Advisory Committee. Our sympathy to his wife, Elsie, and his children.


STAFF ACTIVITIES
by Mimi Calver

At the end of 1995, we said goodbye to Mattie Wallace who has left to go into business for herself and to take some courses.

Congratulations to Andie King, who is now Andie Beard since her marriage to Clarence "Bunky" Beard on December 16.


RECORDS OF THE SAVINGS BANK OF BALTIMORE
by Nancy Bramucci

During this past summer, the Archives processed the lst Fidelity Collection of the Savings Bank of Baltimore and the Metropolitan Savings Bank [MSA SC4313], funded by the lst Fidelity Bank. Records of the two banks in volume form are arranged by series and described by series unit inventories. Loose papers of the Savings Bank, including records of the Comptroller and Treasurer, are arranged and described at the box level. The following series descriptions are extracted from the finding aid prepared by Special Collections. This article encompasses only those deemed most significant for research purposes. The complete finding aid can be seen in the search room at the Archives. Each series within the collection was given a subnumber, i.e. Series 1, Series 2, etc. Some records in the collection are restricted. Historic records, defined as material over 72 years old or relating to a deceased individual, are open without restriction for purposes of research, copying, exhibition, publication, or other uses deemed appropriate by the State Archivist. Recent bank records, defined as material less than 72 years old and relating to a living person, are closed except for general scholarly studies approved by the State Archivist, which respect the privacy of living individuals. Upon written request the Archives may disclose and provide copies of recent bank records to: an account holder or a legal representative; an individual who has evidence of the death of the account holder; or lst Fidelity Bank.


Records of the Savings Bank of Baltimore:

Series 1: Letterbooks, 1855-1918. Letters to account holders and others having business with the bank relating to business matters. Letters are generally arranged in chronological order. Most volumes contain indexes. For letters received by the bank, see Boxes 139-156. Missing - 1904. 23 vols.

Series 2: Record Books, 1831-1878, 1891-1960. Minutes of the monthly meetings of the Board of Directors. Includes a "monthly exhibit" showing monies received from and paid out to account holders and an itemized listing of income from stocks and bonds, loans on stocks, and real estate. Arranged chronologically. Volumes for 1901-1905 only contain exhibits. Missing - 1854. 29 vols.

Series 3: Signature Books, 1818-1918. Record of authorized signatures of account holders made when accounts were opened. Indicates account number and signature or mark. Records also may indicate race, age, marital status, address, occupation, birth date, and opening balance. The first volume includes a transcript of the 1818 articles of association and 1822 and 1828 amendments. Arranged by account number. For access, see Deposit Ledger Indexes (Series 20). 59 vols.

Series 4: Investing Committee Records, 1846-1889. Loans made by the bank, indicating date of loan or renewal, name of borrower, period of loan, interest rate, property or stocks purchased with loan, and amount of loan. Arranged chronologically. For later loans, see Loans (Series 11) and Real Estate Loans (Series 14). 9 vols.

Series 5: Societies, 1834-1927. Signature books for churches, lodges, charitable organizations and other institutions holding accounts with the bank. Indicates institutional representative(s) authorized to transact business. Arranged by account number. For indexes, see Societies, Index (Series 21) and Deposit Ledgers, Index (series 20). 6 vols.

Series 6: Journals, 1818-1918. Record of daily financial transactions. Arranged chronologically. Includes cross references to General Ledgers (Series 8). 16 vols.

Series 7: Receipt Books, 1829-1890. Record of daily receipts of monies, indicating date, account number, amount, and name of account holder. Shows signatures of account holders. Arranged chronologically. 118 vols.

Series 8: General Ledgers, 1818-1918. Record of daily financial transactions. Arranged by type of transaction. Includes cross references to Journals (Series 6). Missing - 1833-1834, 1884-1885. 9 vols.

Series 9: Deposit Ledgers, 1824-1917. Record of financial transactions of savings account holders. Indicates account number, name of holder, credits and debits, and balances. Account history cross referenced to subsequent ledgers. For access, see Deposit Ledgers, Indexes (Series 20). Scattered volumes missing. 223 vols.

Series 13: Mortgages, c. 1844-1922, 1957. Records relating to the management of mortgages. Volume of mortgage loan payments indicates date, mortgage holder, total mortgage, principal, interest, and expense. Two volumes, arranged alphabetically, indicate the name of the mortgage holder, amount of mortgage, description of property, insurance, and deed reference. One volume, arranged alphabetically, contains deed transcripts. 4 vols.

Series 14: Real Estate Loans, 1888-1926. Listing of loans and loan renewals held on real estate, indicating the date, name of borrower, amount and length of loan, interest rate, address, and date reported to the Board of Directors. Volumes relating to new loans include a brief description of the property. Volume relating to loan renewals includes payment. Arranged chronologically. For earlier loans, see Investing Committee Records (Series 4). 3 vols.

Series 26: Corporation Records, [1818]-1982, n.d. Records of establishment of the bank, including articles of incorporation and a history of the bank written on its 50th anniversary. Includes scrapbooks of materials relating to the history of the bank and architectural plans. 6 vols., 1 framed letter, 6 sets of plans.

Series 27: Counter Record, 1864-1974. Record of counter transactions including date, amount received, number of accounts opened and deposits, amount paid out, and number of accounts closed and payments. Later volumes are identified as the counter record of the Park Heights Avenue, Loch Raven, Pilesville, Rockville, Arbutus, Harundale, and Metropolitan branches. The Park Heights Avenue records also include the main office transactions handled in the branch, number of Christmas and special purpose accounts, and number of transfers. 27 vols.

Series 35: Loan Applications, 1888-1931. Record of applications for loans, indicating name, amount, term, interest, property to be purchased, improvements, plat, and decision of executive committee. 5 vols.

Series 36: Executive Committee, 1889-1962. Minutes of the Executive Committee of the Board of Directors. 7 vols.

Series 71: Photographs, var.d.

Records of Metropolitan Savings Bank

Series 43: First Deposits, 1867-1957. Record of deposits to accounts. Indicates account number, name of account holder, and amount. Arranged chronologically. For debits, see Depositor Debits (Series 49). 8 vols.

Series 44: Signature Books, 1867-c. 1891. Record of authorized signatures of account holders, made when the account was opened. Indicates date, account number, signature, residence, occupation, year and place of birth, names of parents, husband, or wife, and names of beneficiaries in case of death. For access, see Deposit Ledgers, Index (Series 57). 2 vols.

Series 45: Receipt Books, 1868-1907. Record of money received from the bank by account holders. Indicates date, account number, amount received, and holders signature. Arranged chronologically. 14 vols.

Series 46: Finance Committee Reports, 1912-1957. Record of loans made by the bank. Indicates type of loan, name of borrower, interest, collateral, and market value of collateral. Arranged chronologically. 2 vols.

Series 47: Day Books, 1867-1872, 1899-1908. Record of daily transactions. Indicates balance forwarded, interest accrued, amount received from depositors (not itemized per account), amount paid depositors, rents, loans, or bills received, and other transactions. Arranged chronologically. 3 vols.

Series 48: Cash Books, 1867-1933. Record of cash received from interest, depositors (not itemized per account), bills receivable, and other transactions. Includes volume of Beneficial Savings Fund Society. Arranged chronologically. 5 vols.

Series 49: Depositor Debits, 1867-1911. Record of debits made by account holders. Indicates account number, holders name, and amount. Arranged chronologically. For credits, see First Deposits (Series 43). Includes volume of Beneficial Savings Fund Society. 18 vols.

Series 50: Deposit Ledgers, 1867-1907. Record of financial transactions of savings account holders. Indicates account number, name of account holder, date, debits, credits, and balances. Arranged by account number. For index, see Deposit Ledgers, Index (Series 57). 11 vols.

Series 51: Journals, 1867-1957. Record of daily transactions. Arranged chronologically. Cross referenced to General Ledgers (Series 52). 23 vols.

Series 52: General Ledgers, 1867-1957. Record of daily financial transactions. Arranged by type of transaction. Cross referenced to Journals (Series 51). Includes volume of beneficial Savings Fund Society. 5 vols.

Series 59: Balance Ledger, 1882-1908. Balances and reports of various accounts, including trial balances of the general ledger; yearly statements; reports of outside committee of examination; comparative statements from other savings banks in Baltimore; list of bank directors dating from its incorporation in 1867, showing name, date of election, date of resignation, and date of death; annual interest and dividend payments; premiums on stocks and bonds bought and sold; and resources and liabilities in 1908. 1 vol.

Series 61: Minutes, 1868-1884, 1916-1943. Minutes of monthly meetings of the Board of Directors and weekly meetings of the Finance Committee. 2 vols.

Series 62: Annual Statements, 1867-1954. Annual statements indicating number of accounts opened and closed, depositors receipts and payments, deposit gains and losses, annual interest and dividend to depositors, amount due depositors, surplus, interest accrued, rents from property and safe deposits, real estate profits and losses, premium bonds bought and sold, salaries, and other operating expenses. Includes transcript of materials relating to the history of the bank, such as its incorporation, first meeting, original prospectus, bills for original furnishings, first loan and first dividend, election of early officers, change in bank location, change of name from Beneficial Savings Fund Society to Metropolitan, and construction of the new building and the boards first meeting in it. 1 vol.


REFERENCE REPORT
by Pat Melville

As Prince George's County nears the 300th anniversary of its establishment, researchers are compiling information for celebratory activities. In November one group was studying the history of the states attorney's office which will include a list of office holders. Another individual was looking for material about livestock in the county during the colonial period.

A government agency topic involved the history of the Department of the Environment. Organizational and institutional studies included origins of the Annapolis Republican Central Committee, U.S. Naval Academy band, YWCA in Anne Arundel County, and St. John's College in the Civil War. Local topics concerned Elkridge in the colonial period, Carr's Beach in Annapolis, land patents on Fenwick Island, Damascus, St. Mary's County in 1650, Hyattsville, Baltimore City during the Revolutionary period, origins of Annapolis, railroads in Allegany County, and Severna Park. African-American topics included blacks in World War II, free black residential segregation in Baltimore City, and slavery in Maryland. Studies of buildings centered around McDowell Hall at St. John's College and Shady Oak Manor. Other research concerned violent crime in Maryland, the Chesapeake seafood industry for the period 1860 to 1910, and the state naval ship Defence. One patron was searching for the "future".

Total circulation of records in the search room in November increased 9.6%, 8643 items compared to 7883 last year. Use of library books expanded 34.7%, 1063 compared to 789. Microfilm usage rose 19.9%, 5724 compared to 4773. The original records category declined 20%, 1856 compared to 2321. At the same time the total number of researchers remained fairly constant, 1091 compared to 1097 in November 1994. New patrons fell 2.6%, 300 compared to 308. Returning researchers were unchanged, 791 compared to 789. Each person used an average of 8 records in 1995 and 7 in 1994.

For the first time in twelve months we can show income from copies on the new reader printers for both this year and last year. In November income climbed 12.9%, $1150.00 compared to $1019.25. Photoduplication orders generated in the search room declined 20.7%, $1788.75 compared to $2255.70.

Although less dramatic that usual, the number of calls handled by phone reference increased 13.3% in November, 971 compared to 857. There were an average of 49 calls per day, compared to 45 last year.


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