Community Corner
Archive Crawl: Research Your Ancestry With Historical Experts
Coming up in Martinez, event affords Contra Costa residents a fun opportunity to "meet" ancestors through maps, records and old newspapers.
MARTINEZ, CA – Sure, you can search historical records online. You can view scanned archives and digital reproductions of birth certificates and property claims. It's all well and good.
But there's something about touching the crisp-as-a-cracker page of a San Ramon community newspaper from the date your great-great-grandmother was born, or running your fingers across an 1890s map of Martinez to see what was there -- or wasn't -- long before your housing development went in.
People can unearth the joys of in-person, in-depth research at the inaugural Martinez Archive Crawl, taking place from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sept. 29 at four locations in downtown Martinez.
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The Contra Costa County Historical Society, the Martinez Historical Society, the county recorder's office and the main library are participating, all within a few blocks' walking distance of each other. The event, in celebration of American Archives Month in October, will include a scavenger hunt and prizes for all ages.
"There's always something new to find in an archive and if you're not careful, the minutes turn into hours and the next thing you know, you're eager to write a book," said John Mercurio, president of the CCCHS.
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Archive crawls have become a thing in recent years, often held in San Francisco or Sacramento, perhaps as a response to the less-personal Internet age. But smaller regions are getting into the act.
"You can find a lot online -- we have much of our materials scanned in and available online, but it's only a portion of the collection," said Priscilla Couden, executive director of the CCCHS.
"And there's something special about walking around the city in person and going through the resources. We hope to familiarize people with what they might be able to find and help guide them through a search," Couden said.
At the historical societies alone, there are naturalization records from 1863 to 1986, thousands of maps and aerial photos, rooms full of books of newspapers that date back to the 19th century, and even old ledgers
from the county assessor.
"The assessors would take these books out to the properties to write down how many horses you had or what's the value of your piano," Couden said. "Most only go up to 1910. The things really valuable to people are
really old. Things you can't find anywhere else."
The event includes opportunities to talk with archivists and librarians and take behind-the-scenes tours of research facilities. For the scavenger hunts, visitors will be given history questions and a chance to
find answers in the archives. Correct answers will enter participants in a drawing to win an iPad or iPad Mini.
"We're excited to share the county's fascinating history and heritage with residents," County Clerk-Recorder Joe Canciamilla said. "We hope people will leave with a new-found appreciation for where they live."
For more information and registration, people can visit www.MartinezArchivesCrawl.com.
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