South Dakota Archives Month 2020
Archives Month is held each year in October to highlight the importance of our public historic records and to encourage access to our history through our state's archives, historical societies, libraries, county governments and other historical repositories. The month-long celebration coincides with the American Archives Month established by the Society of American Archivists.
Poster
Help us promote Archives Month by printing and displaying this poster.
Download the Poster (PDF) - we recommend printing on 11 x 17 paperGovernor's Proclamation
Governor Noem has issued a proclamation declaring October 2020 to be Archives Month in South Dakota. Click the link below to see entire proclamation.
Calendar of Events
To add an event to the calendar, contact us at (605) 773-3804 or archref@state.sd.us.
Fun with History Fridays
Visit this page every Friday in October for a new family-friendly history activity!
#AskAnArchivist Day
Wednesday, October 7th
1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
On Twitter
On #AskAnArchivist Day, archivists from across the country will take to Twitter to answer all your burning questions. Use the hashtag #AskAnArchivist to join the conversation, or tweet your questions directly to us @SDArchives.
Electronic Records Day
Saturday, October 10th
October 10 is designated as "Electronic Records Day" by the Council of State Archivists. Electronic files are much more fragile than paper records, and their long-term survival requires special attention and planning. Traditional information sources such as books, photos and letters can easily survive for years, decades or even centuries but digital items require special care to keep them usable. Rapid technological changes also affect digital preservation. As new technologies appear, older ones become obsolete, making it difficult to access older content. "Electronic Records Day" reminds people of the extra steps needed to preserve digital collections.
Photo Essay: Chicago and Northwestern Railroad Bridge, Pierre/Fort Pierre
Wednesday, October 14th
12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Click to watch the recording
Take a photo-by-photo journey, with images from the South Dakota State Archives, showing the construction of the Chicago and Northwestern Railroad Bridge across the Missouri River between Pierre and Fort Pierre, 1905 to 1907.
Genealogy Q&A
Wednesday, October 21st
12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m.
On Facebook
Are you interested in learning more about your family history, but aren't sure how to get started? Need some advice on how to get past a roadblock in your family tree? Send us your questions and Virginia Hanson will answer them LIVE on Facebook!
Fun with History
Check out this page every Friday in October for a new family-friendly history activity.
South Dakota History Trivia - Test your knowledge of South Dakota history with this quiz!
Online Jigsaw Puzzles - We've created five new jigsaw puzzles featuring historical photos of women with their canine companions. All photos are from State Archives' collections.
Coloring Page - This coloring page is based on a photo from the South Dakota Digital Archives. The image features Alice Tollefson campaigning to be the Union County Superintendent of Schools in 1910. Although South Dakota women did not receive the right to vote in general elections until 1918, they were able to vote in school elections and hold some school-related offices as early as 1887. Thanks to Liz Almlie of Women's Suffrage in SoDak for creating this image for us!
Family Tree - Use this tree to begin your personal family history, or to inspire future genealogists in your family!
Download PDF / Download DOCX
Cemetery Symbolism Quiz - How much do you know about grave markers? Take our quiz to learn more!
Quiz / Answer Key