Current through Register Vol. 35, No. 18, September 24, 2024
Collections maintained by the SRCA are strongest in the area
of government administration. However, through the centuries many government
records for the Spanish, Mexican and territorial periods have been pilfered or
destroyed. Consequently there are gaps within collections. Prior to the
creation of the SRCA in 1960 and the establishment of a records management
program for the retention, preservation and disposition of public records,
state agencies and elected officials disposed of records at will. Therefore
there are many discontinuances within the public records maintained for state
government for the years 1912 to 1959. The SRCA would like to collect archival
materials that supplement current collections and meet the agency's
objective.
A. Identified collection
strengths. Since its creation in 1960, the SRCA has actively collected the
state's official permanent government records. In that year the state archives,
in its capacity as the official custodian of the state archives, acquired from
the historical society of New Mexico the Spanish, Mexican and territorial
archives of New Mexico. These collections provide important documentation in
the following subjects and time periods.
(1)
Spanish period. Administrative, civil, judicial, military and land grant
records of the Spanish government in New Mexico for the years
1680-1821.
(2) Mexican period.
Administrative, civil, judicial, military, legislative and land grant records
of the Mexican government in New Mexico for the years 1821-1846.
(3) Territorial period. Administrative,
judicial, military and legislative records of the territory of New Mexico for
the years 1889-1912.
(4) Statehood.
Executive and legislative documents from 1960 to the present.
B. Identified collection
weaknesses.
(1) Spanish colonial documents,
1598 -1680. As a result of the 1680 Pueblo Revolt, administrative, civil,
judicial, military and ecclesiastical records for this period were destroyed.
The SRCA has very few documents for this time period.
(2) Spanish period documents, 1680 -1821.
Many documents for this time period have been lost as a result of theft or
disasters, either man-made or natural.
(3) Military and territorial periods, 1846
-1889. Administrative, judicial, military and legislative records from 1846
to1889 were removed by officials upon completion of their term of office.
Therefore the SRCA has a sparse collection of governors and territorial
officials papers.
(4) Statehood
government records, 1912 -1959. Executive, legislative, judicial and military
records from 1912 to 1960.
(5)
Congressional papers, 1912-present. The SRCA has not actively collected the
papers of U.S. senators and representatives from New Mexico.
(6) County records, 1850-1912. Many records
kept by territorial county officials have been lost through theft and disasters
(man-made and/or natural). Counties are not required by statute to transfer
permanent records to the SRCA.
C. Identified collection priorities. The SRCA
places major emphasis on acquiring archival collections relating to any of the
following subjects which would enhance existing collections.
(1) Administrative government documents, 1598
-1959. Correspondence, decrees, orders, and reports.
(2) Military documents, 1598 -1959.
Enlistment papers, muster rolls, service records.
(3) Civil documents, 1598 -1912. Wills and
settlement of estates, land grant petitions, deeds and conveyances of
property.
(4) Ecclesiastical
documents, 1598 -1846. Inquisition and ecclesiastical court reports, church
censuses, reports regarding civil and military matters.
(5) County documents, 1850 -1912. Probate
records, county commission journals, county clerk record books, sheriff,
treasurer and justice of the peace record books.
(6) Judicial documents, 1598 -1912. Judicial
proceedings, criminal and civil docket books, record books and case
files.
(7) Personal papers of New
Mexico legislators and U.S. congressmen, 1850 - present.
(8) Maps, 1598 -1950. Expedition, land grant,
military reconnaissance, land use, road and highway maps, postal route,
railroad and USGS quadrangle maps.
(9) Photographs, 1840 -1950. Historical
buildings, historical events and celebrations, political figures, Indian
pueblos and reservations.
(10)
Motion picture film. Film documenting or depicting historical events and
celebrations, buildings, political figures and state government
functions.
D.
Geographical areas and chronological periods collected. The SRCA places
emphasis on acquiring materials pertaining to localities within the
geographical boundaries of the state of New Mexico for the period 1598 to the
present. However, archival materials pertaining to the areas of southern
Colorado, eastern Arizona, west Texas and northern Chihuahua, which were part
of New Mexico during the years 1598 to 1862, are also collected. All materials
shall meet the criteria for acquisition as stated in 1.13.40 NMAC.
E. Languages, other than English, collected.
Documentary materials in any language which meet the criteria for acquisition
as stated in 1.13.40 NMAC will be collected.
F. Physical forms of material collected.
(1) Manuscripts. Handwritten or typed
documents, including a letterpress or carbon copy.
(2) Personal papers. Documents created or
accumulated by an individual or family, subject to donor's
disposition.
(3) Books. Pertaining
to New Mexico history, politics, and government, including Spanish dictionaries
published prior to 1900.
(4) Media.
The SRCA will not actively solicit any form of non-print media which it cannot
support. However, older collections may contain vinyl records, film, cassettes
and electronic records. Contemporary collections may also contain audio and
videotapes and collections in the future may contain computer, optical, compact
or other forms of disks. Therefore non-print media shall also be
accepted.
(5) Government
publications. The SRCA is a depository for state publications. Government
publications that are accessioned as part of a collection shall only be
retained if they inherently relate to the papers in that collection.
(6) Serials. Publications issued at regular
intervals shall be collected if they relate to existing collections, New Mexico
history or state government.
(7)
Newspapers. Extended runs of newspapers shall generally not be collected.
However some single issues which have importance in relation to individual
collections may be retained in association with those collections.
(8) Microforms. Microforms may be included as
part of a collection if they meet the SRCA acquisition criteria.
(9) Maps. See Paragraph (8) of Subsection C
of 1.13.40.11 NMAC. Hand-copied, print, microfilm, blueprint, aerial
photographs and computer-assisted maps.
(10) Photographs. See Paragraph (9) of
Subsection C of 1.13.40.11 NMAC. Generally all photographic processes will be
accepted.
(11) Motion Picture Film.
See Paragraph (10) of Subsection C of 1.13.40.11 NMAC. Moving image materials
including film, magnetic tape, and digital formats.
