Yolo County Supervisor Lucas Frerichs spoke of the "Amazingness of the Yolo County Archives" during a Yolo County Board of Supervisor meeting in October, 2024. And Friends of the Yolo County Archives agrees wholeheartedly!
Friends of the Yolo County Archives hopes to raise $20,000 to fund Extra Help Library Assistant positions, preserve and protect archival collections, and support staff professional development for the next fiscal year. The Extra Help staff will be working on the following projects:
Digitization and cleanup of the Woodland Daily Democrat Photograph Collection
This collection of 3,796 photographic prints was donated to the Archives by the Woodland Daily Democrat in the 1980s and 1990s. These photographs were proofs that accompanied stories that were published in the Daily Democrat and are largely unidentified. We are raising funds to support the work of an Extra Help Library Assistant to digitize this collection in an effort to preserve the prints, increase access to the collection, and to identify the subjects of the photographs and when these photos were published in the newspaper. These photographs document events and people from throughout Yolo County.
Cataloging and Digitization of the Robert F. Dunn Obituary Collection
With over 36,000 Yolo County obituaries, the Robert F. Dunn Obituary Collection is an incredible resource for genealogists and researchers. We are raising funds to support the work of cataloging and digitizing this collection which was largely collected and compiled by one volunteer, Robert F. Dunn over the course of 19 years and includes obituaries from Yolo County newspapers from the 1860s through 2024. It is not a complete collection of every obituary, but it is robust and a great starting point for many researchers.
We hope that you will consider helping to make these collections accessible for all with your donation during this year's Big Day of Giving!
Mission
Friends of the Yolo County Archives was founded in November 1986, to support the Archive's mission of making the County's archival records accessible to the public through volunteer help and financial assistance. Since that time, the Friends have volunteered countless hours in the Archives, raised funds to pay professional salaries, and purchased equipment and supplies to help ensure the long-term preservation and accessibility of our shared history.
Needs
● We are raising funds to support extra-help staffing and archival materials for the Yolo County Archives.
● We are raising funds to add new services and fund special projects.
● We are working to develop an expanded, diverse membership.
Equity Statement
Friends of the Yolo County Archives encourages everyone—regardless of race, nationality, religion, or sexual orientation—to participate in its activities. Board membership is open to everyone, and we work to represent all people and all sections of Yolo County.