Index to University records, 1636-1870 and Sibley's private journal, 1847-1882
Overview
The Tolman Index, informally named for its compiler, is an exhaustive name and subject card index covering the records of Harvard University from its earliest days in 1636 through 1870. The index was digitized in 2012. This finding aid contains links to the digitized cards, as well as links to an explanatory key to the index and two sample cards with explanations to help researchers decipher the references on the cards. The key and the sample cards are the first two items listed in the finding aid.
Dates
- Creation: compiled 1940-1969.
Creator
- Tolman, Bertha Illsley. (Compiler, Person)
Conditions on Use and Access
The Index to University records, 1636-1870 and Sibley's private journal, 1847-1882 is open for research use.
Extent
2 cubic feet (70 drawers)The Tolman Index, named informally for its compiler, Bertha Illsley Tolman, is an exhaustive name and subject card index covering the records of Harvard University from its earliest days in 1636; this index forms part of the Records of the Harvard University Archives (UAV 156). Included in the index are votes and minutes of the Board of Overseers, Corporation, and Faculty, as well as additional records of the Corporation, such as the College Papers and Corporation Papers, and of the Overseers, such as reports and papers of committees. The index also covers the personal diary of Harvard librarian John Langdon Sibley and correspondence of Harvard presidents Edward Everett, Charles Felton, John Thornton Kirkland, Jared Sparks, and James Walker.
Records of the Harvard Corporation covered by this index include:
- Harvard University. Corporation. Harvard College Papers, 1st series, 1636-1825, 1831 (UAI 5.100): http://nrs.harvard.edu/urn-3:HUL.ARCH:hua62011
- Harvard University. Corporation. Harvard College Papers, 2nd series, 1826-1869 (UAI 5.131.10)
- Harvard University. Corporation. Harvard College Papers, supplements, 1636-1815 (UAI 5.131.5)
- Harvard University. Corporation. Corporation records: minutes, 1643-1933 (UAI 5.30): http://nrs.harvard.edu/urn-3:HUL.ARCH:hua51010 The index covers December 27, 1643-May 22, 1869.
- Harvard University. Corporation. Corporation papers, 1st series, supplements to the Harvard College Papers, circa 1650-1828 (UAI 5.120): http://nrs.harvard.edu/urn-3:HUL.ARCH:hua09012
- Harvard University. Corporation. Harvard Corporation Papers, Second Series, 1826-1939 (UAI 5.130)
- Harvard University. Corporation. College Books, 1636-1827 (UAI 5.5 Box 4): http://nrs.harvard.edu/urn-3:HUL.ARCH:hua53010
Records of the Board of Overseers covered by this index include:
- Harvard University. Board of Overseers. Formal meeting minutes, 1707-1932 (UAII 5.5.2): http://nrs.harvard.edu/urn-3:HUL.ARCH:hua39010 The index covers July 4, 1744-October 9, 1901.
- Harvard University. Board of Overseers. Meeting minutes maintained by the Secretary, 1775-1816 (UAII 5.6)
- Harvard University. Board of Overseers. Collected papers [votes maintained by the secretary], 1727-1892 (UAII 5.7)
- Harvard University. Board of Overseers. Reports and papers of committees of the Board of Overseers, 1765-1854 (UAII 10.5)
- Harvard University. Board of Overseers. Reports and papers of committees of the Board of Overseers: academical series I, October 18, 1859-November 1, 1873 (UAII 10.6.1)
- Harvard University. Board of Overseers. Reports and papers of committees of the Board of Overseers: instruction series, January 4, 1855-January 27, 1859 (UAII 10.6.2)
- Harvard University. Board of Overseers. Reports and papers of committees of the Board of Overseers: libraries series, 1859-1874 (UAII 10.6.3)
- Harvard University. Board of Overseers. Reports and papers of committees of the Board of Overseers: miscellaneous series, January 27, 1854-June 24, 1874 (UAII 10.6.4)
- Harvard University. Board of Overseers. Reports and papers of committees of the Board of Overseers: Observatory series, 1850-1871 (UAII 10.6.5)
- Harvard University. Board of Overseers. Reports and papers of committees of the Board of Overseers: President and Fellows series I, January 26, 1854-June 24, 1874 (UAII 10.6.6)
- Harvard University. Board of Overseers. Reports and papers of committees of the Board of Overseers: professional series, 1859-1874 (UAII 10.6.7)
- Harvard University. Board of Overseers. Reports and papers of committees of the Board of Overseers: academical series II, October 1, 1874-April 8, 1896 (UAII 10.7.1)
- Harvard University. Board of Overseers. Reports and papers of committees of the Board of Overseers: President and Fellows series II, June 28, 1784-November 28, 1900 (UAII 10.7.2)
Records of the Faculty of Arts and Sciences covered by this index include:
- Harvard University. Faculty of Arts and Sciences. Early Faculty minutes, 1725-1806 (UAIII 5.5): http://nrs.harvard.edu/urn-3:HUL.ARCH:hua21010 The index covers March 6, 1752-July 17, 1860.
Additional records and papers covered by this index include:
- Correspondence from Everett, Edward, 1794-1865. Papers of Edward Everett, 1807-1864 (UAI 15.884): http://nrs.harvard.edu/urn-3:HUL.ARCH:hua11005
- Correspondence from Felton, C. C. (Cornelius Conway), 1807-1862. Papers of Cornelius Conway Felton, 1841-1877, including correspondence of acting president Andrew Peabody (UAI 15.890): http://nrs.harvard.edu/urn-3:HUL.ARCH:hua14005
- Correspondence from Kirkland, John Thornton, 1770-1840. Papers of John Thornton Kirkland, 1788-1837 and undated (UAI 15.880): http://nrs.harvard.edu/urn-3:HUL.ARCH:hua22001
- Correspondence from Sparks, Jared, 1789-1866. Papers of Jared Sparks, 1820-1861, 1866 (UAI 15.886): http://nrs.harvard.edu/urn-3:HUL.ARCH:hua13005
- Correspondence from Walker, James, 1794-1874. Papers of James Walker, 1826-1872 (UAI 15.888): http://nrs.harvard.edu/urn-3:HUL.ARCH:hua02999
- Sibley, John Langdon, 1804-1885. Papers of John Langdon Sibley, 1802-1936 (HUG 1791.72). Click here for transcription.
- Harvard University. Harvard Commons records, 1686-1829 (UAI 15.250): http://nrs.harvard.edu/urn-3:HUL.ARCH:hua09011
Historical note
Bertha Illsley Tolman was born on November 29, 1884. She began working in the Harvard University Bursar's Office in 1912, transferring to the University Archives (then in Widener Library) in July 1934. Tolman officially retired in 1949, but continued to work part-time for nearly twenty more years until her final retirement in 1969. While at the Archives, she created a card index to the major series of University records and some related historical materials, including the personal diary of Harvard librarian John Langdon Sibley and correspondence of five Harvard presidents. Tolman was also responsible for clipping news items on Harvard alumni for the Archives' biographical files. Tolman died on April 22, 1970, in Concord, New Hampshire.
Arrangement
The cards and the drawers are arranged in alphabetical order.
Processing Note
Juliana Kuipers created this finding aid in April 2012.
Creator
- Tolman, Bertha Illsley. (Compiler, Person)
- Title
- Tolman, Bertha Illsley, compiler. Index to University records, 1636-1870 and Sibley's private journal, 1847-1882 : compiled approximately 1940-1969
- Language of description
- und
- EAD ID
- hua05012
Repository Details
Part of the Harvard University Archives Repository
Holding nearly four centuries of materials, the Harvard University Archives is the principal repository for the institutional records of Harvard University and the personal archives of Harvard faculty, as well as collections related to students, alumni, Harvard-affiliates and other associated topics. The collections document the intellectual, cultural, administrative and social life of Harvard and the influence of the University as it emerged across the globe.
Pusey Library
Harvard Yard
Cambridge MA 02138 USA
(617) 495-2461
archives_reference@harvard.edu