Page 38 - Guest Advantage Magazine - September 2015

History’s Keepers
Holy History: The Archives of the Diocese of St. Augustine
Appointments and/or written requests must be made prior to research. 34 Aviles St. Visit www. dosafl.com/archives. 904-823-8707.
Collection Highlights:
• Parish registers of the Cathedral-Basilica (1594- 1881)
• Episcopal archives (1857-1967)
• Baptism record, dated Aug. 29, 1599, of Juanna, the daughter of Juan Menendez Marques and Maria de Possada.
• Baptism record, dated Jan. 5, 1595 of Estebana, the daughter of a slave named Gratia. No father is identified.
• Baptism record of Agustin, Aug. 20, 1606, son of Agustin and Francisca, both slaves.
• The first recorded marriage in St. Augustine on Feb. 2, 1594, between soldier Gabriel Hernandes and Catalina de Baldes (Valdes), with Father Diego Escobar de Sambrana presiding.
• Marriage certificate, Feb. 10, 1605, between a royal slave named Simon, and Maria, a slave belonging to Anton Martin. The couple was sponsored by two free blacks, Baltasar and Felipe.
• A marriage certificate for free black man, Francisco Pozo and a female slave, Maria Cruz, in 1743.
• Excerpts from a list of baptisms in 1770 from the
Golden Book of the Minorcans, Baptisms from 1768, signed by Father Camps.
• Baptism of Maria Isabel in July 29, 1789, recorded by Father Miguel O’Reilly. The parents are Antonio and Anna, recorded as runaway slaves from South Carolina.
The Way We Were: St. Augustine Historical Society Research Library
Founded in 1883, the St. Augustine Historical Society is Florida’s oldest Historical Society. In addition to the research library, the group also owns and preserves four historic buildings, publishes historical works, and offers educational programs. It is privately funded by memberships, donations and an endowment. Materials can’t be checked out, but copies can be made for a fee. No reservation required. 24 Aviles St. Open Tuesday- Friday 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. 904-825-2333. Visit staughistoricalsociety.org.
Collection Highlights:
• Large photographic collection (more than 10,000) including photos of Gary Cooper (filming movies at Marineland), Presidential visits, King and Queen of Spain in 1965, and the E.A. Meyer Collection (1880s-1920s)
• Oldest original document: Letter from Queen
Marianna to Gov. Nicholas Ponce de Leon dated March 20, 1674, discussing the construction of the Castillo de San Marcos
• Ledger art done by the Plains Indians while at the Castillo de San Marcos
• A Seminole War journal
• City Directories 1886-2006
• Oral histories of Families: Taped interviews done in the 1970s
• County Court Records – 1821-1940s and city commission meeting minutes 1821-1980
• Master Site Files—Recorded histories of any house older than 50 years old (as of 1980)
• Maps – related to Florida, St. Augustine; copies from the 1500s; actual maps from 1770s
• Vertical subject files on every subject imaginable, from FDSB to old attractions, artists, crime, famous visitors, and geographical areas
• Large family history section for genealogical research
• Biographical vertical files and cards – records of obituaries, birth records, people who arrived by ship
The Cross of the Mission De Nombre Dios is part of the iconic skyline of the city of St. Augustine.
Photo by Addison Fitzgerald
38 GUEST ADVANTAGE • 2015 / 2016