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How to Use this Guide

Entries in this Guide have been drawn, for the most part, from catalog entries and other archival finding aids prepared by the actual repositories holding the collections. While these entries include all the descriptive information available about each item, and the entry formats have been standardized for the purposes of this Guide, the reader should be aware of local differences in descriptive and administrative practices that may be evinced in the entries (for example, the volume of materials may be measured in linear or cubic feet, or by type of container; access restrictions may be in place on some collections). The index to these collections is keyed to the citation number at the beginning of each entry.

Both the index and the catalog entries use icons to facilitate linking to related materials, such as:

Images of associated photographs
Images and descriptions of associated artifacts
Detailed listings of collection contents

Entries use appropriate fields from the following format:

Example [with commentary]:

273. Francis, Thomas. Jr. (1900-1969)

[citation number; name of creator, creating agency, or collector; birth and death dates of creator, if known]

Papers, 1917-1975 (bulk 1941-1969).

[collection title; collection accession number if State Archives of Michigan collection; span dates of collection]

66 linear feet.

[physical extent of collection]

Background: Chairman of the department of epidemiology at the University of Michigan School of Public Health; director of the Commission on Influenza of the Army (later Armed Forces) Epidemiological Board, 1941-1955; and director of the poliomyelitis vaccine evaluation program (Salk Polio Vaccine field trials).

[background information on creator or creating agency, if known]

Summary: Series comprise correspondence, 1933-1969; Polio Vaccine Evaluation Center, 1953-1957; organizations, 1938-1969; University of Michigan, 1941-1969; speeches and articles, 1917-1969. Papers also contain photographs. Subjects covered include Francis' research interests, the National Foundation for Infantile Paralysis, and the Atomic Bomb Casualty Committee. Correspondents include Sir Christopher Andrewes, Basil O'Connor, and Jonas Salk.

[summary of collection contents]

Repository: Bentley Historical Library, University of Michigan.

[repository where collection is located; and any relevant notes on accessibility of the collection]

Example [without commentary]:

917. State of Michigan, Department of Mental Health

Monthly Hospital Reports, [62-41] 1937-1956.
13 cubic feet and 11 inches.

Summary: Narrative and statistical monthly reports received from the medical superintendents of state mental facilities: Caro State Hospital for Epileptics, Coldwater State Home and Training School, Ionia State Hospital, Kalamazoo State Hospital, Lapeer State Home and Training School, Mt. Pleasant State Home and Training School, Newberry State Hospital, Northville State Hospital, Pontiac State Hospital, Sault Ste. Marie State Hospital, Traverse City State Hospital, and Ypsilanti State Hospital. Includes information relating to personnel; population statistics; medical services; social services; cost and appropriations statements; new programs instituted; physical plant and equipment inventories; building programs; division reports; and any items of special interest.

Repository: State Archives of Michigan

(Access note: Includes restricted materials.)