Title: Works Progress Administration, Historical Data Project: Pioneer Biography Files, 1936-1940

ID: OGLMC1119

Primary Creator: Works Progress Administration

Extent: 34.0 Microfilm Reels

Date Acquired: 03/00/1989

Subjects: Genealogy and Family History, Great Depression

Languages: English

The North Dakota records related to the Works Progress Administration's Historical Data Project are housed at the State Historical Society of North Dakota.  The Department of Special Collections purchased a microfilmed set of the records in March 1989, consisting of thirty-four microfilm rolls of over 5000 files.  The records were filmed alphabetically by county, and within each county, alphabetically by name. The last roll is an alphabetical name index which includes the following information: pioneer's name, city or town, county, occupation, nationality, date and place of birth, whether still living or date and place of death, and marital status. If married, the above information is included for the spouse.

The files themselves consist of a Pioneer Data Form or Old Settler Questionnaire filled out by either a Project survey worker or the pioneers themselves. The Data Forms provide the following information: pioneer's name, birth and death dates, nationality, occupation, name of spouse, parents, and children, marital status, dates of immigration to the United States and arrival in Dakota Territory, education, religion, political affiliation, and family and community historical sketches. Also frequently included are small township maps, archaeological and historical survey forms, pioneer biographical sketches, reminiscences, and newspaper clippings.

The records in this collection are indexed in the North Dakota Biography Index: http://library.ndsu.edu/db/biography/

Genealogy and Family History
Great Depression

Repository: Elwyn B. Robinson Department of Special Collections

Access Restrictions: Open for inspection under the rules and regulations of the Elwyn B. Robinson Department of Special Collections.

Acquisition Method: Purchased from the State Historical Society of North Dakota; 89-1643

Original/Copies Note: Originals held by the State Historical Society of North Dakota

Related Materials: Works Progress Administration, North Dakota Writers Project: Ethnic Group Files: OGLMC 1380

Preferred Citation: (Description of Item). Works Progress Administration, Historical Data Project: Pioneer Biography Files. OGLMC 1119. Elwyn B. Robinson Department of Special Collections, Chester Fritz Library, University of North Dakota, Grand Forks.

Finding Aid Revision History: Finding aid added to Archon in February 2015.

Other URL: http://library.und.edu/holdings.php?id=ODIN_ALEPH000735773