ELWYN B. ROBINSON DEPARTMENT OF SPECIAL COLLECTIONS
CHESTER FRITZ LIBRARY
UNIVERSITY OF NORTH DAKOTA
GRAND FORKS, NORTH DAKOTA 58202
COLLECTION: OGL #1119
DATES: 1936-1940
SIZE: 34 rolls microfilm
ACQUISITION: The microfilmed Works Progress Administration Historical Data Project Pioneer Biography Files were purchased from the North Dakota State Historical Society, holder of the originals, in March 1989 (Acc #89-1643).
ACCESS: Open for inspection under the rules and regulations of the Department of Special Collections.
RELATED COLLECTIONS: Works Progress Administration North Dakota Writer’s Project Ethnic Group Files, (OGL #1380)
The Historical Data Project was established under the auspices of the Works Progress Administration in 1936. Its work ceased in 1940 having gathered together valuable biographical and historical data for each state. In North Dakota, the Project was administered by the North Dakota State Historical Society. One focus of the Project was to gather biographical data on North Dakota pioneers as defined by any person born before 1870 and who lived in the Territory before statehood of North and South Dakota, or who was the first settler in a township.
The Pioneer Biography Files, WPA Historical Data Project, for the State of North Dakota are housed at the North Dakota State Historical Society. The Department of Special Collections purchased a microfilmed set of the Files in March 1989. The set consists of thirty-four microfilm rolls of over 5000 files which were filmed alphabetically by county, and within each county, alphabetically by name. The last roll is an alphabetical name index which includes the following information: pioneer's name, city or town, county, occupation, nationality, date and place of birth, whether still living or date and place of death, and marital status. If married, the above information is included for the spouse.
The files themselves consist of a Pioneer Data Form or Old Settler Questionnaire filled out by either a Project survey worker or the pioneer himself. The Data Forms provide the following information: pioneer's name, birth and death dates, nationality, occupation, name of spouse, parents, and children, marital status, dates of immigration to the United States and arrival in Dakota Territory, education, religion, political affiliation, and family and community histoircal sketches. Also frequently included are small township maps which locate the family farmstead and other significant community buildings; Archaeological and Historical Survey Forms which locate prehistoric and historic sites and landmarks; pioneer biographical sketches or reminiscenses; and newspaper clippings.
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