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Commission seeks records access for Grass Valley cemeteries; Searls Library digitization noted
Summary
Commission members discussed historic cemetery records and access. Diane reported meeting with St. Patrick’s clergy and locating an interment journal from 1912; older records are held at a Records Center in Citrus Heights. Commissioners also discussed Jewish-cemetery documentation and a local booklet that compiles Jewish burial records.
Grass Valley Historic Commission members discussed cemetery research and the location and accessibility of burial records for local historic work and walking-tour planning.
Commission member Diane said she met with a St. Patrick’s priest (referred to in the meeting as Father Australia) who allowed on-site review of an interment journal dating to 1912; items prior to 1912 were said to be held at a records center in Citrus Heights and could be accessed with assistance. Diane told the commission the priest could not loan the leather-bound volume but would allow researchers to consult and make notes.
Commissioners also discussed the Searls Library’s role: library holdings are being digitized and staff said they will share materials, but the library has limited physical space and some objects in recent donations are large. Diane described a new donation that included a large collection of sheet music, business receipts and photographs linked to the George family; the commission noted that photographs of living people will be restricted until the appropriate privacy period has passed.
The commission heard that records compiled in a local booklet — identified as a compilation of Jewish cemetery burials in the foothills — document burials in Nevada City and Grass Valley and are available at Searls Library. Commissioners said they will follow up with the Records Center in Citrus Heights and ask the library about digitization status and possible copying of key pages.
Action items: Diane will follow up with St. Patrick’s to request access for Citrus Heights staff and to confirm what the interment journal contains; the commission asked staff to contact Citrus Heights records and to confirm whether the Searls Library copy of the Jewish-cemeteries booklet is available for public use.
