Name: Jessica Campbell
Supervisor: Claudia Romero
Date: May 27, 2025
Time: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Project: Border Heritage Peoples Newspaper Clippings Inventory
Today I began the physical inventory of the Border Heritage Peoples Newspaper Clippings Collection, located along the back wall of the archives basement. This large clippings collection is arranged alpha-numerically by surname, and each box contains folders organized alphabetically, often focused on individuals or families. My primary task was to systematically review boxes PA 1 through PM 22. For each box, I noted the folder range, labeled themes, and any distinctive or recurring topics, with particular attention to criminal and civic content. I observed a high volume of clippings documenting local and regional crime, including homicides, prison escapes, extortion, fraud, and abuse allegations. Simultaneously, many folders also contained positive or neutral coverage such as community service recognition, political campaigns, or historical biographies. I recorded examples from notable boxes: PC 25–PC 27 included articles on a Safeway robbery and trial coverage; PH 3–PH 8 had indictments and abuse cases; and PM 13–PM 22 featured several homicide investigations and related legal disputes. In addition to content analysis, I began location mapping for boxes in the PP, PR, PS, PV, and PW series—recording their position by aisle and shelf for later folder-level review.
Reflection:
This first full day in the collection helped me better understand both the organization of archival newspaper clippings and the social significance of the material itself. I was surprised by the duality of the content—so many folders held difficult subjects like sexual assault, murder, and political corruption, yet these were often placed right next to uplifting stories about education, cultural pride, or grassroots activism. This juxtaposition reflects the complexity of the communities represented and reinforces why balanced preservation matters. I also gained hands-on experience in physically navigating archival storage: handling fragile boxes, interpreting alpha-numeric identifiers, and ensuring that nothing was stacked higher than five boxes, as per storage guidelines. One small challenge was that some folder labels were partially detached or smudged, which made quick identification more difficult and reminded me of the importance of long-term preservation planning. I enjoyed the intellectual puzzle of decoding the collection’s logic while also beginning to see deeper patterns—like how crimes were reported or what names recurred across different decades. This work gave me a sense of the archive’s potential to tell both collective and individual stories through press documentation, and I’m looking forward to returning tomorrow to begin deeper folder-level content analysis.
Definitions:
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Alpha-numeric arrangement – A storage method using letters and numbers to organize materials in a predictable order (e.g., PA 1, PA 2, PB 1…).
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Folder-level content – Specific topics or themes documented within each labeled folder inside a box.
Summary of Work Completed:
Inventory of the Border Heritage Peoples Newspaper Clippings Collection located along the back wall of the basement. Boxes are arranged alpha-numerically, stacked no higher than five boxes, and contain alphabetically organized folders by surname.
Today’s inventory focused on boxes PA 1 through PM 22. Each box was reviewed for folder ranges and content themes. Across all boxes, I identified numerous clippings documenting various crimes, including but not limited to:
- Murder investigations and homicide cases
- Sexual assault, rape, and abuse allegations
- Robbery, burglary, extortion, and theft
- Fraud, embezzlement, and misappropriation of funds
- Prison escapes and criminal trials
- Political and civic corruption
- Deportation and immigration-related criminal activity
These criminal topics appear alongside clippings about civic achievements, public service, community organizations, and biographical features—providing a well-rounded perspective of individuals documented in the collection.
Notable Examples from Today’s Inventory:
- PA 1–PA 5: Civil rights cases, bank robbery, and murder charges
- PA 7: Extortion charges and deportation cases
- PB 21: Local political candidates and homicide reports
- PC 21, PC 25–PC 27: Fatal accidents, criminal court cases, and a Safeway bandit identification
- PF 3–PF 6: Jail escapes, burglary rings, and prison sentencing
- PH 3–PH 8: Indictments, abuse allegations, and shootings
- PK 4–PK 8: Murders, misappropriation suits, and Kevorkian-related cases
- PM 13–PM 22: Multiple homicide investigations, robberies, and lawsuits related to criminal incidents
Additional Inventory Mapped (Folder Details Pending):
- PP Series: PP 2 through PP 13
- PR Series: PR 13 through PR 21
- PS Series: PS 23 through PS 31
- PV Series: PV 3 through PV 8
- PW Series: PW 1 through PW 5
These boxes were documented and mapped by location (aisle and stack), with folder-level content to be reviewed in upcoming sessions.
This photo captures the initial stretch of the Border Heritage Peoples Newspaper Clippings Collection boxes arranged along the rear basement wall. Stacked in careful alpha-numeric order and no more than five boxes high, the boxes are clearly labeled and aligned for efficient access during the early stages of inventory. The organized layout marks the beginning of a systematic effort to document decades of local history through surnamed newspaper clippings.