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Smithfield Oral History Project

 Collection
Identifier: UUS_FOLK COLL 48

Scope and Contents

Each item in this collection is bound and contains a typed interview transcription, a page containing credits for those who helped compile the interviews and transcriptions, a brief summary of each interview, a digital recording (CD) of the interview (.wav file), and a digital copy (CD) of the transcript (.wps file).

Dates

  • 1956-1991

Language of Materials

Material in English

Conditions Governing Access

No restrictions on use, except: not available through interlibrary loan.

Conditions Governing Use

It is the responsibility of the researcher to obtain any necessary copyright clearances.

Permission to publish material from the Smithfield Oral History Project must be obtained from the Curator of the Fife Folklore Archives and/or the Special Collections Department Head.

Biographical and Historical Note

Lawrence Cantwell is a resident of Smithfield Utah. In the 1970s and 80s (and 1991), Mr. Cantwell undertook this project on behalf of the Smithfield Historical Heritage Society to document local citizens. These interviews were done on cassette tape and stored for a number of years in the Smithfield City offices.

William "Robert" Thornley, director of the Clark and Gladys Thornley Foundation, early settlers of Smithfield, Utah, worked to get the interviews transcribed with funds from the Thornley Foundation and a grant from the Utah Humanities Council / Utah State History.

The interviews in the Smithfield Oral History Project, conducted by Lawrence Cantwell, focus on the early history of Smithfield. Many of his participants clearly remember World War I, the Great Depression, and World War II. Most of these interviews characterize life in Smithfield and surrounding towns in the early 1900s. This collection provides a description of small town farm life during the Progressive Era.

Extent

2 boxes (1 linear feet)

Abstract

The Smithfield Oral History Project contains 37 interviews with residents of Smithfield, Utah. The majority of interviews were conducted by Lawrence Cantwell. William "Robert" Thornley had the items digitized, transcribed, and printed by the Clark and Gladys Thornley Foundation. Transcriptions made possible by a generous grant from the Utah Humanities Council/ Utah State History.

Arrangement

Items are arranged in alphabetical order according to the interviewee’s last name.

Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements

Some items in this collection also include a picture of the interviewed.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

William "Robert" Thornley donated 37 oral histories (with transcripts) from the Smithfield Oral History Project. The interviews were done by Lawrence Cantwell with Smithfield, Utah residents. Mr. Thornley was given the tapes by Smithfield City and he had them transcribed and digitized. In June 2010, Mr. Thornley donated the collection to Utah State University Special Collections and Archives (Randy Williams and Brad Cole). The collection was processed in September 2011.

Existence and Location of Originals

Utah State University. Merrill-Cazier Library. Special Collections and Archives.

Related Materials

From USU Special Collections and Archives:

A Brief History of Three Canyons Rev. version 979.27 SM61-CA 1983

History of Smithfield folder, 1982. ITEM MSS 128

Four Generations of Cantwell Thoughts 929.2 C169-C

Smithfield City Council meetings record COLL MSS 238 NO. 77

Collecting MemoriesSmithfield diaries COLL MSS 34

Smithfield of Fort Days FILE MSS 453

Smithfield, Utah, Health Days, 1920s MEDIA COLL 1 NO. 31

Smithfield -- as a City on a Hill 979.27 SM68H

Smithfield community sewage system proposal study: a final analysis 979.297 SM56

Smithfield Livestock Auction: market report for Thursday 636.08 SM56

Separated Materials

The original cassette tapes are housed at Smithfield City.

Processing Information

Processed by Kristal Shegrud, September of 2011. Finding aid prepared by Kristal Shegrud, September 2011; updated by Randy Williams, April 2012.

Title
Guide to the Smithfield Oral History Project 1956-1991
Author
Finding aid created by Kristal Shegrud
Date
©2011
Description rules
Finding Aid Based On Dacs (Describing Archives: A Content Standard, 2nd Edition)
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin
Language of description note
Finding aid encoded in English

Revision Statements

  • 2009: Template information was updated to reflect Archives West best practice guidelines.

Repository Details

Part of the Utah State University, Merrill-Cazier Library, Special Collections & Archives Repository

Contact:
Merrill-Cazier Library
Utah State University
3000 Old Main Hill
Logan Utah 84322-3000 United States
435 797-8248
435 797-2880 (Fax)