What is an archivist???

In this county, our archivist is an eighty year old widow who performs her work for no money and as a complete labor of love. She labors, almost daily, and with very help. Her appeal for help from me was a result of my mentioning my love of genealogy and past librarian career.

The county powers that be have arranged to move the archivist repository from the basement of the county morgue to another and hopefully more pleasant location. She was anticipating the physical part of the move and was hoping that I would help her.

Of course, I will.

According to the American Society of Archivists,"The primary task of the archivist is to establish and maintain control, both physical and intellectual, over records of enduring value. Archivists select records, a process that requires an understanding of the historical context in which the records were created, the uses for which they were intended, and their relationships to other sources. The archivist then arranges and describes the records, in accordance with accepted standards and practices; ensures the long-term preservation of collections; assists researchers; and plans and directs exhibitions, publications, and other outreach programs to broaden the use of collections and to enlist support for archival programs. All archivists, especially those with administrative responsibilities, need to understand and apply the principles of sound management to their work."

Archivist???

Last week's hot temperatures in this part of the country was pretty distressing. One of my attempts to survive was to take a walk late one afternoon. Sure getting out of A/C was not much of an answer but I was looking for diversion.

This little sleepy town has its version of a historical homes district that covers about eight square blocks. I decided to walk this area and look at the old homes. I dream of owning an old southern home and there are many for sale. One in particular that I have been dreaming about for two years. It's sad condition calls to me but I must ignores its sighs at this point of my life.

So, I am walking, sweating, and wondering about a life path that had brought me here, when I hear a voice saying hello. This town is not particularly friendly to newcomers. Sometimes I think that I have "not born here" tattooed on my forehead. So I am surprised to hear a greeting coming from one of these huge lawns. I looked up to find a little, old, white-haired lady leaning on a cane at her mailbox. I stopped, said hello and asked about here gardening attempts. She corrected me quickly and said that she did not garden but was only pulling a few weeds from the shrubs around the mail box. She was dressed like a doll. Expensive casual clothes. We continued to talk and determined that we were both widows and were not native to this community. She had "only" lived here 53 years. Her husband had been with the school system and they had operated several businesses on the court square but she was still "an outsider". So much for my hopes of ever blending.


She was curious about me since she did not recognize me or my name and I was somewhat evasive. I don't know why unless it was because I was hot and wanted to keep moving. Since she did not recognize me or my name, somehow the conversation settled on genealogy. She said she had no interest but that her family had been researched by someone. That is usually the case. If someone is not interested in their family genealogy it turns out some other family line has already completed the bulk of their research. She walked to the end of the block with me and then turned around to return to her home.


By the time that I got home and entered the front door, my telephone was ringing. A very animated, excited voice greeted and and introduced herself. I am the county "archivist" she said and I really need your help.