Legend or Myth?

This week I have been starting to look through the vertical files of the archive. This consists mostly, so far, of copies of primary documents rather than the actual physical primary document itself. In this one particular folder, I came across typescript letters to and from the State Director and the Local supervisor of the Federal Writing Project in Jacksonville Florida. The subject of the letters, dated 1938, was the legend of Chasco, Queen of the Calusas. I have always been interested in the Folklore of different cultures because what a group of people believe is one of the main driving force in there behavior. Calusa Indians were a tribe known as the "shell Indians" because they did not farm like most Indian tribes. Instead, they fished and utilized all types of shell fish. They died out in the late 1700s, however, their legend that the letters speak of have lived on as possible fact; until recently that is. The letters I found in the archives are addressing this so called "legend" and whether or not it is real. They go back and forth providing information the other has and while reading the letters, It was if I was in the conversation, figuring along with them the mystery behind this legend. One of the last letters stated, " I am sorry to have to disappoint you, but although this legend was handed down from father to son amount the early 'old-timers', this story is fiction so far as the characters are concerned". It is amazing how, by word of mouth and generations of stories handed down, history becomes legend and accepted as fact. It is a reminder of the power of a cultures folklore.

Searching for Pocahontas

I am starting my 6th week here at FHS! I don't know where the time has gone but times flies when getting lost in the Archives thats for sure! While searching through the documents, I came across this very interesting little book entitled, "Princess Uleah, A Florida Pocahontas" written by a man named Charles Kent. Upon first glance, I wasn't sure if this was fact or fiction. Other than its peculiar small size, the name Pocahontas stood out to me. I assumed that it must have some account relating to Native Americans. Well, not exactly. I began to read the book and realized that it was not a first hand account, but in fact it was a fictional story. Through some additional research and the help of my supervisors Ben and Kevin, we were able to cross reference this primary document with its source located in the Florida Historical Quarterly. It turns out that this story by Charles Kent is is based on work by F.P. Fleming entitled," The Story of Juan Ortiz and Ulelah". It is basically the story of John Smith and Pocahontas, only in Florida. I learned a very valuable lesson: don't take anything at face value! It may take a bit of digging to find where a document comes from, which is the most entertaining part for me. Sometimes working in an archive entails not only good organization skills but good investigative skills as well.

Encountering sensitive material

This week I came across an interesting letter written by a man named Randolph Rigley addressed to W.A. Carter. It was written in 1840 during the Second Seminole War. It is not the author or the recipient of this letter that caught my attention; rather it was the content expressed in the letter. Rigley proceeds to fill Carter in on the latest " Indian News" he has for him. He talks about his infantry and their encounters with the Indians. He proudly mentions that him and his men placed shells on the Indian trail and covered them with shirts and waited for the " bait". They watched as an "Indian" curiously picked up the shirt and was wounded in an explosion. This is when Rigley and his infantry moved in and either captured, killed, or exchanged fire with the "Indians".
While reading this, my first thought was that this letter would be a great primary source for someone researching war tactics during the Seminole Wars. Shortly after, I began thinking how graphic and intimate this account is and how some researchers may not be comfortable with this information. Public History faces this problem regularly when valuable historic information is available, yet one must be mindful not to offend the public with sensitive information. As of now, this letter is in the Archive, not on display for a public audience. However, that could change one day and it is the duty and a challenge for all those involved in Public History to present accurate accounts of the past all while being sensitive to the target audience. Working in this archive I feel that I am becoming better prepared to enter the world of Public History.

Making History "public", one transcription at a time

Primary documents may be challenging to read to the untrained eye. I have some training in Paleography, which is the study of earlier writing, so l am fortunate to be able to somewhat make it through early American handwriting unscathed. Although the feeling of being able to read a primary document is that of excitement and accomplishment; reading a transcription of the same document is ideal.
During my internship, I have come across many transcriptions of very old, and almost illegible documents. I have come to appreciate transcriptions for the simple fact that they allow for a quicker read. Researchers may not have a lot of time to get a project done. I have come to realize how extremely important it is for Public Historians to transcribe old documents; it allows the public to better utilize history. What good is it if it cannot be read and interpreted? So, if you are interested in History, I recommend learning the art of Paleography and transcribing a few documents on your own!

Below is a transcription I found this week. It is a transcript of MSS Captain Fitch's "Journal to the Creek's" dated 1726.