Favorite Archival Object: Personal Record Files (Archives Month 2021)
Channel: SeattleArchives
Date: 2021-10-29

The "Favorite Archival Object" series is a monthly installment featuring archivists from Seattle Municipal Archives highlighting some of our favorite items from the collections. 

Reference Archivist Jeanie Fisher describes the Personal Record Files from City employees (1890-1904).  

Citations:
 – Record Series 1802-06: Personal Record Files 1890-1904 (misc. records featured from this collection)
 – A physical exam was given by the Police Surgeon to Frank Fremming before his entrance into the Police Department. The certificate includes a statement regarding the applicant's current job, family, and history (January 1, 1891), Item 990882, Record Series 1802-04: City Clerk General Files
 – Mrs. J. C. Haines signed her oath of office to serve as a Library Commissioner (October 24, 1890), Item 991362, Record Series 1802-04: City Clerk General Files
 – Albro Gardner signed his oath of office to serve as City Engineer (November 22, 1890), Item 991097, Record Series 1802-04: City Clerk General Files
 – J. W. Glascock signed his oath of office to serve as a police officer (August 12, 1891), Item 991095, Record Series 1802-04: City Clerk General Files
 – Cedar River Pipeline No. 1 under Construction. Testing Pipe Section, Reading the gauge at Sta. 647, Pressure 140 Pounds. Molasses Creek, Original Right-of-Way (January 26, 1900), Item 7326, Record Series 8200-13: Water Department Photographic Negatives
 – City Light outtakes (1940-1960) Item 3, Record Series 1204-05: City Light Moving Images
 
All of the videos from the "Favorite Archival Object" series feature the following:
 – Background used for all object reveals: Agreement between the Board of Park Commissioners of Seattle and Olmsted Brothers (April 30, 1904), Item 5801_01_53_15_001, Record Series 5801-01: Don Sherwood Parks History Collection, Seattle Municipal Archives
 – Footage in introduction titles: Seattle Channel, Item cs_112119_3071924V
 – Music: "The Plan's Working" by Cooper Cannellis from YouTube's Audio Library (Creative Commons)