About Archives & Special Collections
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Long Island Historical Society Quarterly, 1939-1942; The Journal of Long Island History, 1961-1969 and 1973-1982
From 1939-1942, 1961-1969, and 1973-1982, the Brooklyn Historical Society (known then as the Long Island Historical Society) published a periodic journal, called the Long Island Historical Society Quarterly in 1939-42 and, in the later years, The Journal of Long Island History. The journals include articles on historical topics concerning Kings, Queens, Nassau, and Suffolk counties. Many of the articles, especially in the 1939-1942 volumes, include full or partial transcriptions of account books, correspondence, deeds, tombstone inscriptions, and other manuscripts from the BHS collection and elsewhere. While there is a wide range of subject matter, perhaps best-represented in the journal are articles concerning the colonial period through the 19th century, American Revolution, Civil War, and African-American history. No appointment is necessary to use the journals in the BHS library.
Brooklyn Voter Registries (1872-1897, 1930-1937)
The Brooklyn Historical Society’s collection of voter registries represents the voting population in Brooklyn both before and after its consolidation as part of the City of New York. Registries reflecting Brooklyn as an independent city prior to consolidation span the period 1872-1897, while post-consolidation registries only cover the years 1930-1937. Currently, all registries are available to researchers in their original physical format.
The organization of the voter registries is mainly a numerical scheme, with the broadest level of arrangement being contingent on ward number (or, in the case of the post-consolidation registries, assembly district number). Each ward or assembly district is further broken down numerically by election district, then alphabetically by street. Finally, within each street listing, individual voters are listed by their residence numbers. Some registries, particularly those dating from the earlier periods, are also accompanied by an alphabetical index to street numbers, as well as a description of election district boundaries.
Each registry also contains specific personal information regarding every registered voter that may be helpful to researchers. For example, all registries include such details as a voter’s age; how long each voter has lived in the state, county, and district; as well as any special remarks deemed useful by the Board of Elections, such as whether a voter is an African American, and whether a voter is illiterate or disabled. Some registries include further descriptive information, such as a voter’s height, weight, hair color, and distinguishing features.
This collection is an especially excellent resource for researchers interested in Brooklyn’s housing history and/or genealogy. While there is no appointment necessary to view the collection, please be advised that the majority of the registries are in extremely fragile condition and should be handled with the utmost care.
Helen Zunser Wurtis Collection. 3 Toedteberg Room Packages.
ArMs 1977.351
The daughter of Russian-Jewish immigrant parents, Helen Zunser Wortis (1906-1976) was a humanitarian and scholar. In her personal life Mrs. Wortis was actively involved in community affairs and various charities.
The Helen Zunser Wortis collection consists mainly of research notes compiled by Mrs. Wortis. The research is mostly dedicated to slavery and the Black population on Long Island, and Shelter Island history. The collection also contains articles published by Mrs. Wortis in the Journal of Long Island History and Long Island Forum, as well as a copy of her memorial service, among other materials.
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The Amote Sias Papers, 1945-1993. 4 boxes (1 document box, 1 record carton, and 2 oversized flat boxes), 2.68 cubic feet.
ArMs 2008.017
Amote Sias was a resilient African American social activist who was an actively involved member in the Brooklyn community of Carroll Gardens during the 1970s-1980s. Sias is also a deeply committed educator and leader, having been a teacher at both the elementary and secondary level in the New York City Public School system as early as the 1970s. Sias went on to become a renowned principal at the Brooklyn Collegiate High School, a position she continues to hold as of 2008.
The Amote Sias Papers consist primarily of legal records, financial records, essays, social activist paraphernalia, ephemera, and clippings relating to all aspects of her career as a black activist. The main topic of these materials is her early involvement in local Brooklyn politics, with her campaign for the City Council in 1989, and other political activities. The collection also documents Sias’ involvement with grassroots social activist organizations.
Access Points:
Subject Topics
African Americans — Politics and government –20th Century
Black nationalism
Civil rights movements –(New York, N.Y.) –New York
Community activists
Voter registration-United States
Subject Places
Brooklyn (New York, N.Y.) — Social life and customs — 20th Century.
Brooklyn (New York, N.Y.) –Politics and government.
Subject Organizations
Congressional Black Caucus
Democratic National Committee (U.S.)
New York, N.Y.– City Council
Peace and Environmental Convention Coalition –San Francisco, California
MADRE (Organization)–New York, NY
United Nations
Other Names
Jackson, Jesse. 1941-
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Brooklyn Ephemera Collection (1814-1998). 19 manuscript boxes and 2 oversize boxes (9.8 cubic feet).
The Brooklyn Ephemera Collection contains materials of mixed provenance accumulated over decades by the Long Island Historical Society (now the Brooklyn Historical Society). It is comprised of 12 series: Businesses, Churches, Civic Organizations and Celebrations, Clubs, Entertainment, Military, Schools, Sports, Transportation, Miscellaneous, Comic Books, and Calendars/Oversized Materials. The materials relate to a variety of Brooklyn-based institutions and events spanning a period of time from 1814 to 1998. Examples of the encompassed materials include correspondence, announcements, pamphlets, special events programs and notices, note papers, tickets, newspaper clippings, trade cards, ads, receipts, invoices, tour maps and information, postcards and certificates.
Access Points:
Personal and Corporate Names
Pierrepont, John Jay, 1849-1911
Grant, Ulysses S. [Ulysses Simpson], 1822-1885
Adelphi College
Bedford-Stuyvesant Restoration Corporation
Brooklyn (New York, N.Y.). Commissioners of Prospect Park
Brooklyn (New York, N.Y.). Park Commissioners
Brooklyn Academy of Music
Brooklyn Athenaeum
Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce (Brooklyn, New York, N.Y.)
Brooklyn Club (New York, N.Y.)
Brooklyn Dodgers (Baseball team)
Brooklyn Dodgers (Football team)
Brooklyn-Manhattan Transit Company
Brooklyn Museum
Brooklyn Philharmonic Symphony Orchestra
Brooklyn Public Library
Brooklyn Tabernacle (New York, N.Y.)
Brooklyn Union Gas Company
Erasmus Hall High School
First Presbyterian Church (Brooklyn, New York, N.Y.)
Historic Districts Council (New York, N.Y.)
National Railway Historical Society
New York City Transit Authority
New York Naval Ship Yard
New York Transit Museum
St. Francis College (Brooklyn, New York, N.Y.)
Visiting Nurse Service of New York
Subject Headings
African Americans
American Revolution Bicentennial, 1976
Baseball - New York (State) - New York
Brooklyn (New York, N.Y.) - religious life and customs
Brooklyn (New York, N.Y.) - social life and customs
Brooklyn Bridge (New York, N.Y.)
Brownstone - New York (State) - New York
Prospect Park (New York, N.Y.)
Brooklyn Trust Company Building (New York, N.Y.)
Brooklyn (New York, N.Y.) - Songs and music.
Armed Forces - New York (State) - New York
Clubs - New York (State) - New York
Entertainment events - New York (State) - New York
Racing - New York (State) - New York
Railroads - New York (State) - New York
Sports - New York (State) - New York
Theater - New York (State) - New York
Williamsburg Bridge (New York, N.Y.)
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Richetta Randolph Wallace Papers, 1906-1971. 5 boxes (2.5 cubic feet).
ArMs 1978.137
Richetta Randolph Wallace was the first member of the administrative staff for the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP). She later became the NAACP’s office manager and was private secretary to NAACP officers James Weldon Johnson (1871-1938) and Walter White (1893-1955). She also served as Clerk of the Conference for NAACP annual conferences. In 1945, Ms. Randolph became the Clerk of the Board and Confident Secretary to the Executive Secretary. At the time Ms. Randolph first became associated with the NAACP (circa 1910), it was just being established and several items in her collection shed light on how the organization began.
The collection consists of Randolph’s personal and business papers. Her personal papers consist of items such as correspondence, receipts, manuscripts, newspaper clippings and personal ephemera including many brochures and pamphlets as well as a scrapbook and cards. The collection also includes materials concerning court cases involving civil rights, lynchings, and murders of African Americans in the United States. The bulk of the material addresses issues in African-American history and civil rights, some pertaining to the NAACP, others to her involvement in a historical black church and to her interest in African American literary arts.
Access Points:
- Johnson, James Weldon, 1871-1938
- Ovington, Mary White, 1865-1951
- Randolph, A. Philip (Asa Philip), 1889-
- Randolph, Richetta G.
- Van Vechten, Carl, 1880-1964
- White, Walter Francis, 1893-1955
- Mount Olivet Baptist Church (New York, N.Y.)
- National Association for the Advancement of Colored People
- African-American Churches-New York (State)-New York
- African Americans-History-1877-1964
- Civil Rights-United States
- Lynching-United States
- Clippings
- Correspondence
- Ephemera
- Galley Proofs
- Pamphlets
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