LibraryAware H&G July Newsletter

SONOMA COUNTY HISTORY & GENEALOGY LIBRARY

NEWSLETTER JULY 2019

Volume 1 Issue 4

Monthly Feature

The Stereoscope - Virtual Reality in the 1800s

By Kate Deadder

Throughout the 19th century stereographs were a popular form of photography. Photographers would produce two nearly identical images using a camera with two lenses placed 2.5 inches apart to simulate the spacing of the human eye. The images were mounted side by side on stiff backing. When viewed through a stereoscope, the two images would be brought together by the brain creating an illusion of three-dimensionality. In an era before films or television a stereoscope in the parlor was a popular form of entertainment.

The stereoscope was invented in the late 1830s, but it was not until the Great Exhibition of 1851 that stereo images became more accessible. During the 1850s Victorian lady with stereoscope

stereographic images increased in popularity. Millions of stereoview cards were produced and photographers concentrated on creating images which would sell. The

cards were often sold as sets, so consumers could buy a series of views related to a theme. The images ranged from portraits of popular figures to comical scenes, but also included landscapes such as waterfalls or mountain ranges that appeared to jump out at the viewer. Alexander Gardner used a stereoscopic camera to create his famous Civil War images at the 1862 Battle of Antietam. The effect of viewing the dead soldiers as three-dimensional would be chilling to say the least.

Around 1900, the popularity of the cards began to fade. Today enthusiasts can find the stereoscopic cards at flea markets, antique stores, and of course at the Sonoma County History and Genealogy Library. We are fortunate to be home to several card series, but perhaps the one which resonates most with our patrons are those taken by a photographer named Roberts as he captured images of Santa Rosa in 1906 soon after the earthquake.

Photo (top): Alvin Jornada/The Press Democrat. Photo (left): Shortcourses.com.

For more information on this fascinating subject, head over to historical researcher and writer Jeff Elliott's most recent blog post on santarosahistory.com, "The 1906 Earthquake in 3D". Jeff, a regular visitor at the H&G Library, who examined the H&G library's stereographic collection with Kate's assistance, relates his experiences with the images, recommends how to exactly use the stereoscope, and provides additional data on photographer Henry Edmund Roberts.

It's Summer! Visit the Sonoma County Fair

"Back to Our Roots in Cowboy Boots" at the Sonoma County Fair

In preparation for the 2019 Sonoma County Fair, which opens on August 1, you may want to check out Sonoma County Library’s digital collection of images, videos and other materials, which chronicle this community tradition from its earliest days through the present.

Founded in 1936, the Fair marked its 75th anniversary in 2011 with special events, attractions and the “Hall of History Fair Museum” curated by the History and Genealogy Library’s manager Katherine J. Rinehart.

Since 2011, the library has digitized hundreds of photographs (and a few videos) from the Sonoma County Fair's archives, which form the backbone of this collection, supplementing existing photographs from the Sonoma County library's own collections. Go to sonomalibrary.org > Research > Digital Collections > Browse by collection > Sonoma County Fair > Browse this collection, or follow this link.

Photo (top): Bronco Buster takes his ride at the Sonoma County Fair Rodeo, Sonoma County Library

Photo (right): Dave Schwindt of Rincon Valley 4H Club and his Angus steer , Sonoma County Library.

Top locations of photo requests received by the H&G Library furthest from Santa Rosa in 2018/2019

Waitati, New Zealand……………………............................................7,130 miles
Brighton, UK ……………………………………..........................................5,335 miles
Sherbrooke, Quebec, Canada …………..........................................3,068 miles
New York City, New York………………… ..........................................2,915 miles
Indianapolis, Indiana……………………… ..........................................2,282 miles
Austin, Texas……………………………………..........................................1,805 miles

Out of the Stacks - Featured Collection

Pedersen's Furniture Company records (1903-2017)

By Kim Wallis, Sub-Librarian

Pedersen’s Furniture, which was operated by four generations of family members, closed its doors in March of this year. The well-known and beloved company had been in business in Santa Rosa for 127 years. When my husband and I bought our first house we filled it with “hand-me-down” furniture, but I was thrilled to be able to buy a new couch at Pedersen’s. When asked if I wanted to inventory items the store had donated to the History and Genealogy Library my interest was piqued.

Pedersen’s was Santa Rosa’s oldest family owned business, until its closure. In 1892 J.C. Pedersen, a Danish immigrant and cabinet maker, moved his family from South Dakota to Santa Rosa and opened his first store at the corner of 4th and A Streets. Furniture and undertaking supplies were sold at this location until 1906. During the 1906 earthquake, the brick building, as everything else in downtown Santa Rosa, collapsed, and all that was salvageable were a few rolls of carpet. J. C. kept the business running by working out of his home on 2nd Street until a new store opened at 635 4th Street in 1911.

In 1953 a new store was built at the intersection of 5th and D Streets. During the 1950s and 1960s, appliance sales were phased out and a large percentage of sales came from televisions and stereos. In 1974 a warehouse was built and the store’s exterior updated.

The Pedersen's Furniture collection includes 15 scrapbooks filled with advertisements from 1948 to 2010. Anyone who is interested in the history of advertising will be fascinated with the illustrations. Two boxes contain many photos of the Pedersen family and the 1906 earthquake, as well as miscellaneous articles from the family business such as ledgers, invoices, circulars, newsletters and magazine clippings about the furniture industry. Also available is a 30-minute long DVD that gives a great history of the company, with accompanying photos.

Please contact the H&G Library for assistance with this collection - SPC.00085.

Photos: Simone Kremkau.

Save the Date - Take a look behind the scenes

First Sonoma County

Archives Crawl

Showcasing local archives and special collections

Saturday, October 5, 2019

October is National Archives Month, which is the inspiration for the first ever Sonoma County Archives Crawl – an event designed to celebrate archives and encourage visitors to explore and engage with institutions that collect archival material.

Sonoma County Library’s three special collections,

the History & Genealogy Library, the Wine Library and the Petaluma History Room, along with partner organizations will be hosting open houses.

Unique exhibits, presentations and interactive activities are planned and additional details will be provided in our August newsletter.

In the meantime, MARK YOUR CALENDARS!

Volunteer Spotlight

Moria Sullivan Gardner, SCH&G genealogy volunteer since 2004

Moria, how did you get involved with volunteering at the H&G Library?
The Sonoma County Genealogical Society was looking for library volunteers at a meeting. I raised my hand and have been volunteering on Wednesday afternoons ever since.

What do you wish people knew about the H&G Library?
I wish people knew more about the books the library has available. For instance, there is an extensive collection of publications for the state of Virginia which includes information on many counties.

Thanks for reminding us! We included an overview of our Virginia state collection in this newsletter - see below. What do you do when you are not volunteering?
I love to travel for genealogy. My husband and I make frequent trips to Ireland to meet cousins and do research. I also went to the Family History Library in Salt Lake City a few weeks ago and discovered in the Irish Petty Sessions Court registers that my paternal great-grandmother, Margaret Walsh-Donellan, was stabbed by her neighbor with a knife following an argument. The magistrate, who was English, didn't care and only admonished them both.

What might someone be surprised to know about you?
I'm a retired CPA who loves succulents and cacti.

Do you have a favorite ancestor in your personal genealogy?
My maternal great-grandmother Moria Gorham-Cloonan whom I'm named after. She lived and died in Cloonmore, County Galway, Ireland, right around the corner from the barracks for the Royal Irish Constabulary. When the soldiers came, she would pretend she couldn't speak English. She's the reason why I'm doing genealogy, my name is a constant reminder of where my family came from.

Volunteers provide free genealogical assistance at the H&G Library

Wednesdays & Fridays 1 PM - 4 PM. Appointments not required.

Interview and photo: Simone Kremkau.

H&G Library State Collections: Virginia

Our genealogical collection contains regional, national and international print resources to assist beginners and professional researchers alike, including material on all 50 states. For Virginia (DDC 929.3755), patrons can choose from 300 volumes on eight shelves, comprising county/town histories of the state, and vital, cemetery, church, court, land and probate records and indices for many counties. The H&G Library subscribes to two Virginia genealogy periodicals: "The Magazine of Virginia Genealogy" by the Virginia Genealogical Society, and "The Virginia Genealogist".

Spotlight on: Genealogies of Virginia Families: from the William and Mary College quarterly historical magazine, Baltimore, 1982, reprint.

Of the three periodicals which were originally devoted to Virginia genealogy and history, the William and Mary College Quarterly was the most scholarly. Its contribution in the field of family history made it the fountainhead of Virginia genealogy. This five-volume series contains every family history article published in the Quarterly from its beginning in 1892 until 1943, when genealogical contributions to the Quarterly ceased. No fewer than 500 genealogies were published.

V. 1: Adams-Clopton, V. 2: Cobb-Hay, V. 3: Heale-Muscoe, V. 4: Neville-Terrill, V. 5: Thompson-Yates.

Browse the full list of titles in our catalog.

Local Events

The Great Drake Hike

July 13, 10 AM - 2:30 PM

Meet at Bear Valley Visitor Center,

Point Reyes, CA

Fort Ross Festival 2019

July 27, 10 AM - 6:30 PM

Fort Ross Conservancy

19005 Coast Hwy, Jenner, CA

Witness Kashia Pomo ceremonial dancing, sing along to Americana Swing, learn from Alaska Native craftspeople and take in traditional Russian performances, all together on the most beautiful stretch of the Sonoma coast.

Grab a pint from the Beer Garden and enjoy an amazing day celebrating different cultures. Back by popular demand, join the Fort Ross Militia for Musket and Cannon Firings, and have a BLAST at Fort Ross!

Advance tickets available through Eventbrite or pay by cash at the park on the day of the event.

Hood House History Walk with Arthur Dawson

An event to benefit Sonoma County Regional Parks and provide funding for renovations of the historic property.

Hood House History Walk

William Hood House

July 12 & August 9, 4:30 PM

7501 Sonoma Hwy, Santa Rosa

More information and RSVP

Experience the magic of the Hood House grounds on a gentle stroll through local history. Arthur Dawson, author of the acclaimed book Where the World Begins: Sonoma Mountain Stories and Images, will be your guide to the stories of this remarkable place - from the Guiluc people who lived here for millennia and whose labor was essential to the home’s construction, to sea captain John Wilson, first owner of Rancho Los Guilucos, to Scotsman William Hood and his wife Eliza, a famous “lady winemaker”, to its more recent incarnations as a senator’s country retreat and home for the elderly members of the Knights of Pythias.

Constructed of handmade bricks as a wedding gift for Hood’s young bride, the house is the oldest surviving fired-brick building in Sonoma County and is on the National Register of Historic Places.

Sonoma County Library Events