SMCGS Databases: Cancelled Architects

Among the collections found in the Miscellaneous Drawers in the San Mateo County Record Center is a list of "Cancelled Architects".  These are architects who had been licensed to practice in the county in the past, but whose authorization was now revoked.  Sometimes the reason is noted with the most frequent note indicating non-payment, but more than a few state death, and a couple state by request.  Quite a few give no reason.

The dates cover the time period "before 1904" to 1932.

The list might give a glimmer into the retirement or death of a local architect, or give an approximate time table for movement to another place.

 Cancelled Architects List

Further information on the architects on this list might be found on the Pacific Coast Architecture Database - Information on buildings and architects in California, Oregon and Washington maintained by the University of Washington.

Earnest Coxhead

Among the entries is one for Charles Beasley who is listed above.  The listing indicates he was born in 1827 and died in 1913, the year of non-payment. He was a member of the firm Beasley and son and is known for the Sperry Building in Stockton.

Brothers, Ernest and Almario Coxhead (Coxhead and Coxhead, a partnership) were cancelled in 1908. Both have page long biographies which include links to the buildings they designed.

Pay Back time?

The National Archives instituted a "Citizen Archivist Week of Service" for January 15-19.  Click here to join them in the Citizen Archivist Challenge to tag or transcribe 2018 pages in the National Archives Catalog.

This is one of many ways you can pay it back to the genealogical community for all the wonderful information you find online.  Another national possibility is to work with FamilySearch on one of their many Indexing Projects. With over 100 projects there is something of interest for everyone.

On the local level the San Mateo County Genealogical Society has numerous opportunities to contribute.  You could join the indexing team onsite at the Colma Historial Museum as  they index the Mortuary Books of Valente, Marini, Perata and Co. Or, if you'd rather work in the southern part of the county, there are a couple projects that we'd like to start at the San Mateo County Historical Association Museum.  We also have an opportunity to work on a project from home.  Contact publications@smcgs.org if you would like to volunteer.

Another alternative is share your genealogy online.  Whether it is in a blog or on a website, a family tree or a story or just a great genealogical find, sharing with others is not only satisfying but also a great way to pay back the genealogical community that shares with you.

California Statute Abstracts by Sheri Fenley

Cath Madden Trindle

Over the years I've been fortunate enough to meet some really wonderful genealogists.  Sheri Fenley of Stockton is one.  Her blog, The Educated Genealogist, is a reflection of her effervescent personality, always fun and interesting.

Recently she has been abstracting the early California Statute books.  These are the books that contain all of the laws passed in each session of the California Legislature. While many laws were passed to govern the "masses" the volumes are sprinkled with laws passed for the benefit of individuals and specific neighborhoods. 

In my California genealogy classes I always mentioned these session books. They can provide fascinating details of the lives of family members.  But access was cumbersome, so few delved into the records.

Sheri's abstracts provide a new means of access.  To date she has abstracted records from a variety of years between 1850 and 1913, and it looks like she will continue.  Each year includes a link to the Statute volume, where you can read the entire proceedings.  Be sure to read the posts where she lets the stories unfold, using newspapers and other records to fill in the details not included in the Statute books, and following it forward through the years.

Sheri attributes her interest in the Statute books to  The Legal Genealogist, Judy Russell.  Judy had posted about them on her blog prior to a visit to California, so thank you Judy as well as Sheri for this magnificent addition to our California research resources. 

• INDEX TO CALIFORNIA STATUTE ABSTRACTS
• California Statute Books  Clerk of the California Assembly - digital copies of the legislative Sessions Books from 1850 through 2008 are currently available on this page. 
• The Educated Genealogist Research Services.