Genealogical Records Projects
As part of our society’s purpose, the Broomfield Genealogy Society works to preserve local genealogical records and information.
Current Projects
Oral Histories Project of Long-Time Broomfield Residents
Description:
This ongoing project aims to preserve the stories and experiences of long-time residents of Broomfield, Colorado. By recording oral histories, we capture firsthand accounts of the town’s evolution, from its early days to the present. These personal stories offer unique insights into the history, culture, and growth of Broomfield, ensuring that the voices of the past are preserved for future generations.
Objectives:
- Conduct and record interviews with community members who have lived in Broomfield for many years.
- Archive these recordings in a publicly accessible format for researchers, historians, and the local community.
- Preserve the heritage and memories of Broomfield’s residents, enriching the historical record with personal anecdotes and reflections.
Volunteer Opportunities:
- Interviewers: Help conduct interviews with local residents.
- Transcribers: Assist in transcribing the oral histories for archival purposes.
- Technical Assistance: Help with recording equipment and digital archiving.
Status:
Currently, we are in the process of reaching out to residents and conducting interviews. Volunteers are welcome to join us in this important preservation effort.
Contact:
For more information or to volunteer, please contact [Insert Contact Name/Email].
Completed Projects
Newspaper – Index Birth, Marriage, Death Announcements (2013-2017)
Description:
From 2013 to 2017, volunteers from the Broomfield Genealogy Society (BGS) undertook the important task of indexing birth, marriage, and death announcements from historic Broomfield newspapers. The project focused on the time period from 1955 to 1995, ensuring that key life events recorded in local papers were easily accessible for genealogical and historical research.
Objectives:
- Index birth, marriage, and death announcements published in Broomfield newspapers from 1955 to 1995.
- Work with microfilmed copies of these newspapers stored at the Mamie Doud Eisenhower Library.
- Provide a searchable index to help genealogists and researchers locate key life event information more efficiently.
Volunteer Contributions:
- Volunteers were trained to use the library’s microfilm readers and instructed on what details to extract, such as names, dates, and event types.
- The project required many hours of detailed work, with volunteers carefully reviewing microfilmed newspapers and inputting information into a structured index.
Impact:
- The indexed data now provides a valuable resource for both genealogists and local historians, making it easier to trace family lines and significant community events.
Status:
This project was successfully completed in 2017. The index is now available for research and can be accessed through [Insert Access Details/Location].
Future / Potential Projects
Here are some ideas for future or potential projects our genealogical society could undertake to preserve local records:
Broomfield School Yearbooks Projects
Description:
This project focuses on preserving mid-school and high school yearbooks from Broomfield, Colorado. Yearbooks are valuable historical records that document not only the students and staff of a given year but also capture the spirit of the times—fashion, culture, and community life. By digitizing and archiving these yearbooks, we aim to make them accessible to researchers, genealogists, and community members interested in local history.
Objectives:
- Collect yearbooks from local schools, focusing on both mid-school and high school editions.
- Digitize each yearbook to ensure long-term preservation and easy access.
- Create an online archive where yearbooks can be viewed by the public, with searchable features for names, events, and other key details.
Volunteer Opportunities:
- Yearbook Donations: If you or someone you know has old yearbooks from Broomfield-area schools, consider donating them for preservation.
- Scanning and Digitization: Volunteers with access to scanning equipment or the ability to help in digitizing yearbooks are needed.
- Metadata Creation: Help create searchable data for each yearbook, such as listing names, class years, and other relevant information.
Status:
We are currently seeking donations of yearbooks and volunteers to assist with the digitization process. If you are interested in contributing to this project, we’d love to hear from you.
Contact:
For more information or to volunteer, please contact [Insert Contact Name/Email].
Other future / potential genealogical /historical records preservation projects include:
1. Cemetery Records Transcription and Mapping
- Description: Create a comprehensive index of burials in local cemeteries. This could involve transcribing headstone inscriptions, photographing grave markers, and creating an online map of burial locations. This resource could be invaluable for genealogists and researchers looking for ancestors buried in the area.
- Volunteer Needs: Transcribers, photographers, and mappers (potentially using GPS or a mapping app).
- Potential Partners: Local cemeteries, the city’s parks department, or historical societies.
2. Church and Religious Records Preservation
- Description: Many local churches have birth, marriage, baptism, and death records that are not widely available. This project could focus on collecting, indexing, and digitizing these records with the cooperation of local religious institutions.
- Volunteer Needs: Contacting and coordinating with churches, transcribing records, and digitizing documents.
- Challenges: Sensitivity to privacy concerns and obtaining permissions from religious institutions.
3. School Alumni Records & Memorabilia Archive
- Description: Partner with local schools to collect and preserve old yearbooks, school newspapers, photographs, and graduation programs. These could be digitized and indexed to create a valuable archive for those researching family members who attended local schools.
- Volunteer Needs: Collecting materials from schools or alumni, digitizing, and creating searchable indexes.
4. Orphaned or Unclaimed Photo Collections
- Description: Many local families may have old photographs with unidentified individuals. A project to digitize and share these photos with the public could help identify people and preserve family histories. This could include a “community photo day” where residents bring in their old, unidentified photographs.
- Volunteer Needs: Photograph scanning, online sharing, and possibly organizing identification events.
5. Business and Industry Records
- Description: Document the history of local businesses, factories, or industries that were once central to the community’s development. This project could include collecting old business records, photographs, and employee rosters to preserve the history of commerce in Broomfield.
- Volunteer Needs: Researchers, interviewers (for retired employees), and document digitizers.
6. Family Bible Records Index
- Description: Encourage community members to share information from family Bibles, which often contain genealogical data such as births, marriages, and deaths. This data can be digitized and added to a searchable database for genealogists.
- Volunteer Needs: Outreach to local families, digitization, and indexing of records.
7. Veteran Memorial Records
- Description: Create a record of Broomfield residents who served in the military, focusing on those who served in past wars. This project could involve collecting stories, photographs, military service records, and creating a memorial website or database.
- Volunteer Needs: Researching local veterans, interviewing families, and gathering historical records.
8. Local Oral History Podcasts or Video Series
- Description: Building on your current oral history project, create a podcast or video series featuring interviews with long-time residents of Broomfield. The content could cover local traditions, significant events, and changes in the community.
- Volunteer Needs: Interviewers, audio/video editors, and technical support.
9. Historic Property Documentation
- Description: Work with local government and homeowners to document the history of older homes and buildings in Broomfield. This could include researching ownership records, photographing the properties, and preserving stories connected to these locations.
- Volunteer Needs: Researchers, photographers, and property owners willing to participate.
10. Community Event Archival Project
- Description: Archive materials from significant community events, such as festivals, fairs, parades, and political rallies. This could include preserving flyers, photographs, and news articles that document the history of these events.
- Volunteer Needs: Collecting materials, digitization, and organizing an online archive.
These projects not only focus on preserving local genealogical records but also enrich the broader history of our Broomfield community.