Identity elements
Reference code
Name and location of repository
Level of description
Collection
Title
Helen Burns Collection
Date(s)
- 1833 - 1923 (Creation)
Extent
One acid-free folder.
Content and structure elements
Scope and content
The collection consists of a ledger of mortgage abstracts and a framed bill of sale. The ledger contains abstracts for lots along the Swayze-Kelly Mackin Road addition to the city of Flint. Names of entities and individuals reflect exchanges in property. There are numerous mentions of the Jacob Smith and his family and of the Chippewa Nation.
The framed bill of sale documents the sale of lumber to M.E. Houran in 1909, a dealer in all kinds of lumber, and an itemized list of how much the sale cost.
System of arrangement
Past practices described the contents of this collection individually. Each item received an object ID number and was treated as a distinct artifact. Records have been reunited, but their original order may have been lost.
Conditions of access and use elements
Conditions governing access
No restrictions.
Physical access
The ledger is housed inside a single acid-free folder. The exterior of the ledger is a black hardcover. The bill of sale is also housed inside a single acid-free folder. It remains in its wooden frame. Glass covers the front.
The general condition of the ledger is fair. Pages have frayed along their edges with small tears. All pages have yellowed to varying degrees. Yellowing is heaviest along the edges. The cover is intact and showing no signs of falling apart or becoming detached from pages.
The bill of sale is in similar condition. The paper has yellowed. Writing remains easily visible. The wooden frame is nailed together. The archivist deemed it too difficult and risky to the bill that the frame be removed at this time. The nails cannot be removed. The frame would have to be broken, which could crack or shatter the glass or tear the bill.
Technical access
Conditions governing reproduction
No restrictions.
Languages of the material
- English
Scripts of the material
Language and script notes
Finding aids
A downloadable PDF finding aid is available.
Acquisition and appraisal elements
Custodial history
Helen Burns donated the ledger and framed bill of sale in October 1965. Roger Van Bolt received it.
Immediate source of acquisition
Appraisal, destruction and scheduling information
Accruals
Related materials elements
Existence and location of originals
Existence and location of copies
Related archival materials
None.
Related descriptions
Notes element
Specialized notes
Alternative identifier(s)
Object Identification Number
Description control element
Rules or conventions
Describing Archives: A Content Standard, 2nd edition
Sources used
Archivist's note
Jonathan Kirkwood, Archivist
November 22, 2022 (PastPerfect)
Archivist's note
Jonathan Kirkwood, Archivist
April 5, 2024 (Access to Memory)
Access points
Subject access points
Place access points
Name access points
- Dewey, Daniel D. (Subject)
- Houran, M.E. (Subject)
- Smith, Albert J. (Subject)