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New York State Museum State Paleontologist's Correspondence Files


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Overview of the Records

Repository:

New York State Archives
New York State Education Department
Cultural Education Center
Albany, NY 12230

Summary:
This series consists of correspondence with scientists, legislators, state officials, State Museum staff, and private citizens. Topics include identification and classification of fossils; nomenclature; fieldwork; loans and exchange of fossils; acquisition of specimens; and funding, preparation, and distribution of State Museum publications. Some correspondence is in French or German.
Creator:
Title:
State Paleontologist's correspondence files
Quantity:

10.4 cubic feet

Inclusive Dates:
1899-1954
Series Number:
B0575

Arrangement

Chronological by year, then alphabetical by name.

1899-1903: Organized into two subseries: 1. Incoming Correspondence and 2. Outgoing Correspondence.

Scope and Content Note

This correspondence is with scientists, legislators, state officials, State Museum staff, and private citizens and includes information on the following subjects: identification and classification of fossils; nomenclature; paleontological field work sponsored by the State Museum; loans and exchange of fossils between scientists and institutions; acquisition of specimens for the State Museum; funding for the paleontological work of the State Museum; and preparation and distribution of State Museum publications.

1899-1908: Correspondence of John M. Clarke. In 1904 Clarke also assumed the positions of State Museum director and state geologist. Occasional items are in German.

1908-1937: Correspondence and memoranda of Rudolf Ruedemann. Additional files concern his compilation of "Geology of North America" and an autobiographical sketch. Many letters are in German, a few in French. After Ruedemann's retirement in 1937, he stayed on at the State Museum for several years. Correspondence from this period is also included in the files.

1938-1954: Correspondence, memoranda, publication reviews, lectures and bibliographies written by Winifred Goldring. Also included is Goldring's correspondence from positions she previously held in the State Museum: assistant paleontologist (1915-1920); associate paleontologist (1920-1925, 1928-1932), paleobotanist (1925-1928), and assistant state paleontologist (1932-1937).

Related Material

A4208 Incoming Correspondence of the Assistant State Paleontologist, State Paleontologist, State Geologist, and State Museum Director

B0561 State Museum Director's, State Geologists', and State Paleontologist's Correspondence Files and

A0260 State Museum Director's, State Geologist's and State Paleontologist's Incoming Correspondence Relating to Research on the Gaspe Peninsula, Quebec, are related series.

Access Restrictions

There are no restrictions regarding access to or use of this material.

Access Terms

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