The Archivists' Bulldog

Vol. 9, No. 23, Newsletter of the Maryland State Archives, July 17, 1995

ESTATE PAPERS
by Pat Melville
Three years ago the Prince George's County Register of Wills transferred older, mostly 19th century, (Estate Papers) to the Archives where they were given a temporary series number of T698. Previously volunteers from the Prince George's County Genealogical Society had flattened the papers and placed them in folders, securing the items with metal clasps. As reference demands on the collection increased, the Archives identified the collection as a priority for processing and assigned the project to Ann Mack, one of our volunteers. Walter Krause, another volunteer, recently completed the work. The order in which the files were received, alphabetical by names of the decedents, was maintained. The papers were removed from the record center boxes and the folders and placed in acid neutral folders and clamshell boxes. Each estate file was given a unique accession number consisting of the series number [MSA C2119], box number, and folder number(s). The date span for the (Estate Papers) ranges from 1766 to 1881, with the majority of the files falling between 1780 and 1845. Some estates contain only a few papers; others are quite voluminous with many documents filling several folders. The types of documents include copies of wills, renunciations, administration bonds, inventories of personal property, lists of debts, accounts of sales of personal property, administration accounts, distributions, receipts, petitions, and claims of creditors submitted as promissory notes and detailed invoices and accounts. The index for this series is published in Index to the Probate Records of Prince George's County, Maryland, 1696-1900 (Bowie, Maryland: Prince George's County Genealogical Society, Inc., 1988) where the records are referred to as 1810A. The Archives will locate a file based on the decedent's name.

A DEED IN THE PATENT RECORDS

by Pat Melville
When looking for early settler information, Carson Gibb found a deed with an unusual preface in LAND OFFICE (Patent Record) 5, p. 74 [MSA S11]. "At David Holt of St. Georgeses Request this deed is recorded Verbatim with what Nonsence it Contains in his Verbis. "Know all men that I Robert Holte do freely of my own free will give and make over to my Son David Holt, his heirs, Executors, Administrators and assignes, the one half of the hundred Acres of Land called by the name of Randalls Point, Hundred Acres, my Sonns Davids part, being that part or Side, which lyeth Easterly, of the Line of Mark Trees, which divideth the said hundred Acres, which said part lyeth towards Randalls Point, Wittnesss my hand the 11 of February 1661. Subscribed The mark of Robert Holt."

OUTREACH REPORT

by Doug McElrath
June was a big month for tours by groups of visiting archivists and librarians. On June 12 I gave a tour for 12 staffers from Ft. Meade, NSA, and the new Museum of Cryptology, who were interested in archival and records management operations. June 20 was international day at the Archives with two groups, both sponsored by the United States Information Agency, touring the facility. One group with representatives from USIA Libraries from 16 different countries came as part of a tour of library/archival facilities in Annapolis. They were joined by two archivists from the Department of Archives, Bahamas who stayed on for a more intensive tour of our Conservation Lab. Finally on June 22, a small group of archivists from the Maryland Caucus of MARAC came for a visit and tour. I also represented the Archives at the first meeting on June 15 of the Baltimore Bicentennial History Subcommittee that will be pulling together plans for the year-long celebrations in 1997. On June 26 I gave a lecture on "Managing to Preserve" for Dr. Grimsted's introduction to archives class at the University of Maryland, College Park.

STAFF ACTIVITIES

by Mimi Calver
Welcome to Barbara Prehn who is working part time as a Business Manager II. Congratulations to Kevin and Cindy Swanson on the birth of their daughter Chloe Jessica on July 3. Goodbye to Doug McElrath who has left to go to the University of Maryland College Park McKeldin Library as Curator of Marylandia and Rare Books.

ARCHIVES FALLS SHORT AGAIN!

by Arian Ravanbakhsh
On Wednesday, July 12 the State Archives team returned to the softball fields at Annapolis Middle school after a one week recess. The summer downpour that afternoon caused the normal field to become saturated with standing water at all the bases. This forced the Archives and the Public Schools team to design a temporary field on dry land for this spirited athletic contest. In the top of the first inning, the Archives showed that even on a makeshift field they were not going to be intimidated. As has long been an Archives tradition, the rally started with two outs. Bill "The Thrill" Bodziak singled up the middle and was promptly advanced to third on Steve "Say Hey" Bennet's double. Both runners scored when the ball was savagely struck by "Wild" Bill Bodziak. "Wild" Bill scored when the next batter, Gus "Anvil" Andujar lined a triple past the Public School's outfield. This propelled the Archivists to a three run first inning lead. Unfortunately, this lead was short-lived as the Public Schoolers scored three of their own in the bottom of that frame. Meanwhile, the Archives' bats went into a deep slumber, no doubt caused by the oppressive humidity of that afternoon. While Public Schools scored two more in the third, the Archives did not score again until the sixth. That inning began with "Say Hey" smashing a ball down the left field line that the outfielder could only play off his chest. Three consecutive RBI hits by "Wild" Bill, "Anvil" and Mariana "The Menace" Toves lifted the Archives to a 6-5 lead. However, once again that lead was only fleeting as Public Schools scored two runs in the bottom of the sixth to take the lead. The seventh, and final inning, started with a line single by Bill "The Thrill". Two consecutive fly ball outs only moved "Thrill" to third and the cheering section of Shirley "Wave" Bodziak, Reggie "Radar" Davis, Frank "The Terror" Toves, and Wilder "Speedy Delivery" Stewart could be excused if they felt subdued at the prospect of the Archives falling short. However, Gus "Anvil" was not going to fail. He launched a deep fly ball to right that totally confounded the Public School right fielder, who did not regain his composure until both "Thrill" and "Anvil" scored, propelling the Archives to a slim one run lead. Though as had become the custom in this game, Public Schools was able to drive home two runs in the bottom of the inning to win the game by a 9-8 margin. Defensively, the Archives team played a very solid game given the damp conditions. One play deserves special recognition for sheer athletic brilliance. On a high pop fly behind second base and into center field, Gus "Anvil" raced in as fast as he could, only to go into a slide at the last moment with the ball caroming off his glove and into the hands of the well-positioned shortstop, Chuck "Mr. Style" Bodziak for a spectacular putout. Offensively, the stars of the game were "Anvil" who went 3 for 4 with 4 RBIs and that untamed hurler, "Wild" Bill Bodziak who drove in 3 runs with his 2 hits. Also, special recognition should go to Mariana "The Menace" for her RBI single and solidly struck double. The next game for the Archives will be Wednesday, July 19 against Crownsville State Hospital at Crownsville. Directions to the site will be available prior to the game. Come on out to show your support for the Archivists! Special note: This report marks the first one not penned by the perpetual potentate of sports writing grandiloquence, Doug "Louisville Slugger" McElrath. This writer knows that followers of these reports have come to appreciate, and even expect, the bombastic style he perfected. Therefore, future accounts will attempt to continue this animated journalistic style, though these will only serve to pay homage to the master.


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