Pennsylvania's Civil War Muster Roll Conservation Completed

Great news from the Pennsylvania State Archives:

After seven years and approximately $1.2 million in funding, the Pennsylvania Civil War Muster Rolls Project ended in June 2012.  The project completed conservation work on over 2,500 mustering-out rolls for all regiments and emergency brigades raised in Pennsylvania during the Civil War. They are essential for the research of any given soldier, company, or regiment, for they list the status of each at the point of mustering-out of service.  The rolls are among the most popular records housed at the Pennsylvania State Archives, and had become badly soiled and torn over the last 150 years.  They were literally falling apart, and in the last century, well-intentioned staff used cellophane tape to repair them.  In this condition they could not be easily shown to patrons, or even photographed. 

State Archives staff encapsualte the final in-house muster roll - PA State Archives

In 2005, the State Archives was awarded a grant of $375,000 from the federal Save America’s Treasures Program that was joined by a $450,000 grant from the Pennsylvania General Assembly to clean, repair, deacidify and encapsulate the muster out rolls.  Over the years, the Keystone Preservation and Conservation Fund also supplied funds.  The conservation treatments were either performed by the Conservation Center for Art and Historic Artifacts in Philadelphia or at the State Archives.

To read the entire latest issue of Access Archives: The Newsletter of the Pennsylvania State Archives, click here. 

To read a description of the Civil War Muster Rolls collection at the State Archives, click here. 

Hodge Podge: (more) PA Farm Show and more...

• Each year, the Pennsylvania Historical & Museum Commission selects an overall theme to promote preservation, education, recordation, and visitation (to name a few) of Pennsylvania history and resources.  The annual theme for 2012 is entitled "The Land of Penn and Plenty: Bringing History to the Table".  According to the PHMC, "Since its settlement by founder William Penn, Pennsylvania has been universally acknowledged for its abundance of rich soil, game, fish, and fowl, a bountiful legacy that spawned culinary traditions over the past three centuries. This legacy has been made more expansive by the diverse peoples Penn welcomed to his colony, all of whom brought distinctive cookery and customs from their native countries that have been incorporated into an unusual mosaic made up of both regional and ethnic tastes and foodways.   To learn more about this year's theme, please click here or the recently launched theme webpage here.

• In conjunction with this year's annual theme, the Bureau for Historic Preservation will be displaying a select group of PA Historical Markers throughout the 2012 PA Farm Show complex (see my previous post) that help tell the story of Pennsylvania's rich agricultural past.  To learn more about the BHP's Farm Show Historical Markers, and the Scavenger Hunt, click here.

• Also appearing at this year's Pennsylvania Farm Show is the Pennsylvania Civil War 150 Road Show.  Just within the first two days of the Farm Show, over 3,000 people have visited the traveling exhibit.  Make sure you don't miss it!

• And finally, the Pennsylvania State Archives have published their latest issue of the biannual newsletter Access Archives.  A few of the highlights in this issue include "A Message from State Archivist Davd Haury", "Letter Conservation Rights a Wrong", "Tales from the Tower: Magee Civil War Diaries", "Web Updates", and "Recent Acquisitions".  To read the Winter 2012 Access Archives, please click here.



PA Civil War 150 Road Show trailer - PACivilWar150 flickr page (click here)

"It's a beautiful day in Pennsylvania!"

As we get further into the holiday season, the spirit of traditions, customs, and memories of holidays past can be seen and heard everywhere.  As an American Studies student, and a transplanted Pennsylvanian, I have always loved learning about the traditions and cultures of all the small tucked away nooks and crannies of the Keystone State (which there are plenty!).

Every month or so, the Pennsylvania State Archives offers a small sampling of audio clips from Pennsylvania's own Pete Wambach, and his radio shorts, "It's a Beautiful Day in Pennsylvania!"  Like Charles Kuralt, who roamed the nation, Wambach takes listeners on a journey across the fascinating landscape of Pennsylvania, introducing them to local stories along the way, using an entertaining blend of anthropology, ethnography, history, tourism, and just plain curiosity.

Airing from 1964 to 1985, Wambach's radio broadcasts now have a home in the State Archives.  This month, archivists have posted a collection of holiday themed broadcasts that highlight everything from Pennsylvania German's early use of Christmas trees, to Ambridge, PA's snow shovel riding championships.

Now, I know it's not necessarily Civil War related (although he has done many programs on the topic), but take a few moments to explore this "beautiful day in Pennsylvania," and don't forget to check the State Archives' website often for new audio clips.

Listen here.

(read about Wambach and his radio program at the top of the page)

Archive Find: "My name is Mrs. L. M. Ferman and am a soldier"

Lately, I have been drawn in several directions, on many research topics and projects.  When sifting through hundreds of archived records and other fascinating documents; one is bound to become sidetracked by an interesting photograph, a grabbing headline, or an eyebrow raising quote. 

Recently, while perusing the collections, at the Pennsylvania State Archives, my eyes came upon the intriguing quote seen in the title of this post.  Reading on, I became fascinated by the story of one "Mrs. L. M. Ferman".   

A family goes to war - Library of Congress, via shorpy.com

Writing to Pennsylvania Governor Andrew Curtin, Mrs. L. M. Ferman offer fascinating glimpses into the life of a woman "gone to war", who eventually finds herself caring for the sick and wounded in a Washington hospital.  While many women did follow their husbands into the army, their stories are not always as well known as their armed counterparts.  Mrs. Ferman's story reminds us of both the physical and mental hardships that these women suffered side by side with their husbands, and, as in the case of L. M. Ferman, with their patients as well.  Stories, letters, and voices like Mrs. Ferman's compliment the stories of battles and soldiers, and help paint a more rounded and vivid picture of the human tragedy that was the American Civil War.

Georgetown

Sept 18^th 1862

Honorable Sir
Will you spare one moment of your limited time to read a few lines from a stranger altho I have had the Honor of seeing you that was on the 26^th of last February at Camp Curtin Harrisburg Pa.  you may think strange of my addressing you, the Governor of the state of Penn. however I take the liberty to do so.  My name is Mrs. L. M. Ferman and am a soldier.  I enlisted with my husband one year ago the 10 of this month.  I have seen some hard time marching from place to place.  We belong [to] the 111 Penn Vol. [Pennsylvania Volunteers]  We belong in Crawford Co Penn. we camped at Camp Read Erie Pa. until the 25^th of last Feb when they were ordered to Baltimore on our way we campt at Camp Curtin.  I remember it was bitter cold.  Our regiment was presented with a beautiful flag by Gov. Curtin.  We came on to Baltimore + campt at Camp McKim.  While then my husband was sick.  he was Seargant but they thought proper to detach him for the Hospital therefore put him + myself in the Hospital together.  I am the daughter of the 111 P.V. [Pennsylvania Volunteers]  When we were ordered to Harpers Ferry I was in the General Hospital then nurseing takeing care of the sick + wounded.  I left my home for the purpose of doing my duty to my Country in takeing care of the sick + wounded.  Therefore I wish to do all I can for  them  the poor sufferers my heart aches for them.  We are in the Georgetown College Hospital.  My husband is to work as a Wound Dresser, and of the best kind, and I am here with him and have no posision.  For in this place nurses have their appointment from Authority of those that have power to appoint nurses – therefore will you grant to me a situation as nurse.  You wil not only confer a great favour but the Almighty will Bless you.  I hear from a Lady that has just came through Harrisburg that you are one of the kindest Gov. that ever lived.  At any rate I suppose I can stay with my husband where he is in any Hospital.  Please tel me if I can.  We came here from Gen Hospital Harpers Ferry to this place the 26^th of Aug.  could not get to our Reg. [Regiment] on account of this late [2nd] Battle of Bull Run.  We had our baggage marked for our Reg. but could not get them.  We have lost every thing we had to ware.  I have no clothes for a change and am entirely out of funds.  Therefore I wish to go to work for I must be going something.  My husband wil not get any money this 2 months.  I cannot be idle. No way.  I have been here one week in this hospital and have worked every day.  But I want a permanent situation.  Please write immediately.  Direct to my husband G. C. Ferman[1]  Georgetown College Hospital D.C.  there is other ladies here and more are needed

[written in the top margin of the third page]

P.S. I have a recommend from the Church but it is in my trunk and lost with the rest of my things therefore I wil send you one from our Reg that are wel acquainted with me at home.

[written along the left edge of the third page]

The Dr that takes charge here.  His name is Brown.

[written along the right edge of the third page]

Your most obedient servant  Mrs L M Ferman

---

[1] Samuel Bates’ History of the Pennsylvania Volunteers, 1861-1865  lists George C. Ferman as a Private of Co. E, 111^th Pennsylvania Infantry.  He enlisted for 3 years on November 22, 1861, but was discharged on Surgeon’s Certificate, March 14, 1863.

sources:
Bates, Samuel P. History of Pennsylvania volunteers, 1861-5 : prepared in compliance with acts of the legislature. Harrisburg: B. Singerly, State Printer, 1869. 

Ferman, Mrs. L.M. Letter to Governor Curtin, September 18, 1862. Pennsylvania State Archives, Record Group 19, Office of the Adjutant General, Series 19.29, General Correspondence.

Pennsylvania State Archives: Summer 2011 Newsletter

Please take a few minutes to read through the Pennsylvania State Archives' Summer 2011 edition of their newsletter Access Archives.  The State Archives have been incredibly helpful and supportive of my research, and I encourage you to visit it, and the State Museum located next door.  Inside the newsletter you will find some great tid bits on recent "goings on" in the Archives, a few of which are related to Pennsylvania in the Civil War.  Also, be sure to check out the recent acquisitions.  I know I'll be digging through the Civil War diaries of Cpl. John A. Magee, Co. E, 100th PA, hopefully finding some fascinating Maryland Campaign/Battle of Antietam entries.




location of PA State Archives, Harrisburg, PA - Bing Maps



Pennsylvania's Muster Rolls

The Pennsylvania State Archives had been working very hard on properly conserving each and every Muster-Out Roll for the Pennsylvania units that served during the Civil War.  As explained on the Archives' website, Muster-Out Rolls are, "the dated lists [that] ordinarily give the soldier's name, age, rank, unit, regiment and company; the date, place, and person who mustered him in; the period of enlistment; and the name of the commanding officer. Particulars concerning pay earned, promotions, capture by the enemy and the like also regularly appear."  These documents are a rich resource for students of the conflict and genealogists alike.  Sadly, funding for the conservation project ran out with some 800 rolls still to be conserved.  Recently, however, the State Archives has been awarded a $300,000 Keystone Grant which will make the conservation and preservation of the remaining rolls a reality.  The work should be completed by July 2012, after which time, the Muster-Out Rolls will be scanned by Ancestry.com, and eventually made viewable online.  This is great news.  Many of the documents have become increasingly brittle and faded over their roughly 150 year lives.  Conservation will ensure that they will continue to preserve the memory and service of the Keystone state's fighting men.  If you have any questions about the rolls or the ongoing project, please feel free to contact Linda Ries (lries@state.pa.us) at the Pennsylvania State Archives.

Also, be sure to visit the Pennsylvania State Archives, or any state archives, and be amazed by what you may find buried in the history that is preserved there for you.  Check out their website here, as well as their page for Civil War Records.

Detail of a Muster-In Roll from Co. G, 49th PA, located at the Pennsylvania State Archives