Family and Community in America

Suggested Topics Using Archives Resources

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Archives of DePauw University and Indiana United Methodism / Special Collections of DePauw University

1. Putnam County (Ind.) census records, 1900-1930: population, ethnic composition, employment, occupation, boarding and lodging

* use with student directories

* use with Greencastle city directories


2. DePauw students vs. Wabash students - pick a date

* alumni directories

* DePauw and Wabash archives


3. Study of a particular class (1920 done by Beth Fermin, spring '89)

* choose year and conduct comprehensive study

* compare years with sample of alumni from each

* choose years such as 1890s or 1900s to find people in mid-career using 1920 alumni directory

* later directories (1962, 1975 ... 2007) can be used to look at later classes


4. OIT comparison of 19th and early 20th century to look at effect of advent of dormitories and greek house construction (done for 1860 & 1870 by Cleary & Geraldson, spring '90)

* student directories

* census (1900-1930)


5. DKE or DU profile of alumni (see AXO study by Horner, fall '91)

* DKE & DU records are open w/o restrictions

* Phi Kappa Psi, Lambda Chi Alpha and Delta Chi are restricted, but could be open to members or by permission of fraternity


6. Greencastle and another city ME church member comparison

* Gobin, College Ave., Locust St. (Greencastle churches) vs. M.E. church in adjoining county

* church records in Archives

* census for Putnam County; census for adjoining counties available at PCPL


7. Railroads in Putnam County: A look at their effect on communities in Putnam County (see Prime, fall '92)

* census

* city directories

* Sanborn fire insurance maps of Greencastle (1887, 1892, 1898, 1907, 1913, 1926) and Roachdale (1902, 1910, 1923)


8. V-12 students vs. non-veterans from same class years, a comparison of activity as students and subsequent careers

* yearbooks, newspaper

* alumni directories

* reunion books


9. Men's Hall Association vs. a fraternity: What are the differences and similarities? (A paper was written in Spring 1999 comparing two years of MHA members, 1930 and 1957)

* MHA records

* a fraternity for which we have accessible records (see above)


10. Ministers education and career pathes at different times or in different denominations

* ministers conference journals (includes obituaries)

* ministers appointments index (in print and on-line)


11. Industry and business in Greencastle or Putnam County for different decades

* census

* city directories (1895, 1902, 1908, 1935, ca.1968- )

* advertising in newspaper, city directories, DePauw publications

 

For information or help with your topic contact Wes Wilson at wwwilson@depauw.edu


[Famcom02.htm rev. 11/5/07]