Since 2006, American Archives Month has given the profession an opportunity to tell (or remind) people that items that are important to them are being preserved, cataloged, cared for, and made accessible by archivists.
The MVHS Archives Research Center has hundreds of thousands of documents, photographs, and books that can help you learn about our region’s history, your family genealogy, local businesses, and more.
Here is a powerful story from MVHS Archivist Pam Speis, illustrating the benefit of keeping those school yearbooks:
“One of the most touching searches I ever helped with was for a gentleman who had been adopted as an infant. He had not known his biological father and had hit brick walls at every turn. His paternal aunt refused to share photos or information with him. His search finally led to our doors, seeking out a possible yearbook photo. We had the correct year and I found the tiny half tone image, making a larger 5” x 7” for the gentleman. He was in tears as he beheld his father’s face for the first time in over sixty years.”
In July of 2017 Judy and Jerry Carney donated a very large collection of local area yearbooks. The 129 volumes primarily covered Struthers and Campbell Memorial, with smaller groupings from North, Scienceville, Rayen, South, East, Poland Seminary, Wilson, Lowellville, Boardman, and Austintown Fitch. Thanks to their generosity we have been able to fill in many gaps.
Many more gaps still remain. Some schools are better represented than others. Some time periods are better covered as well. We are really shy on volumes from 1970 to current day for all local schools.
If you or someone you know has a local yearbook or two sitting around gathering dust, particularly from 1970 to current day and they are open to donating it, we would love to add to our holdings. Please bring any yearbooks down to the Archives located in the lower level of the Tyler History Center during open hours Noon to 4:00 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday.
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