George and Evelyn Norby Collection

Finding Aid

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Collection Summary

Identifier

NA 1

Title

George and Evelyn Norby collection

Creator

George and Evelyn Norby

Dates

1840-2006

Extent

302 linear feet -- 302 boxes, photographs

Language

English

Repository

South Dakota State University Archives and Special Collections, Hilton M. Briggs Library, Brookings, South Dakota.

Access note

This collection is stored off-site. Requests to view this material must be made at least 24 hours in advance. This collection is open to researchers without restrictions. The materials in the Archives do not circulate and may be used in-house only.

Preferred Citation

Name of item. George & Evelyn Norby collection. NA 1. South Dakota State University Archives and Special Collections, Hilton M. Briggs Library, Brookings, South Dakota.

Abstract

The Norby's did research for the Brookings Historic Preservation, History of the City of Brookings as well as collected old newspapers and pictures pertaining to the history of Brookings. The collection is composed of newspapers, photographs and filed related to Brookings and Brookings County, South Dakota.

Biographical Note

Joseph "George" Norby was born in Paulina, Iowa on February 24, 1924 to Joe and Amy (Shook) Norby. His first job was as a type - setter for ads at the Ireton Ledger in Iowa. George worked as well for the Hawarden Independent in Iowa and then later for the Wishek Star in North Dakota. Before moving to Brookings, SD in 1952 he worked for a time at a commercial printing shop in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

While in Brookings; George worked at Harold's Printing and Advertiser and at Hauff Printing. George began working at the Brookings Register in September 1970. Here he worked as a pressman, camera man and news compositor until his retirement in February 1986. He continued to work part time at the Register for another five years. On May 29, 1953 George married Evelyn Marie Pederson in Sinai, South Dakota. They have two children; Diana Norby–Munger and David Norby. Evelyn Norby was born on August 6, 1932 in Sinai, South Dakota to John and Emma (Thompson) Pederson. Evelyn graduated from Sinai High School in 1950. She worked for many years at the Brookings Laundry and as a motel housekeeper from 1955 – 1982. Evelyn also worked from 1982 – 1986 at the Brookings Register as a custodian.

Beginning around 1965 when the old Register building was torn down George and Evelyn begin to collect photographs and newspapers, some dating back to 1890. Their collection began to grow over the years and soon many knew of the collection.

The Norby's were active members in many Brookings area organizations and clubs. George was a member of the Odd Fellows and on the County Museum Board of Directors. Evelyn was greatly involved with the First Lutheran Church in the First Lutheran Church Women, the Church Library Committee and the quilting group. She was also a member of the Brookings Genealogical Society. Evelyn also volunteered at the Agricultural Heritage Museum at South Dakota State University.

Both were involved with the Rebekah Lodge, Brookings Area CB Club, Brookings County Historical Society and members of the First Lutheran Church. Both were given the "South Dakota Preservationist of the Year" award for 1998. Evelyn Norby died in Sioux Falls, SD on May 8, 2002. George Norby died on September 11, 2003 at the age of 79.

Arrangement

This collection is arranged into eight series:

Series 1. Newspapers [NA 1.1] 
Series 2. Photographs [NA 1.2] 
Series 3. Compiled data [NA 1.3] 
Series 4. Subject files [NA 1.4] 
Series 5. Directories [NA 1.5] 
Series 6. Artifacts and ephemera [NA 1.6] 
Series 7. Databases [NA 1.7] 
Series 8 General materials [NA 1.8]

Folders are arranged in alphabetical order within each series.

Contents Note

Series 1. Newspapers [NA 1.1].

The bulk of this collection is comprised of the Brookings County Sentinel, the Brookings Daily Press, the Brookings County Press and the Brookings Register mostly in their entirety from the 1880s to 2003. The newspapers are arranged by date and issue. Dates for each paper vary, with most beginning in the 1880s. The Miscellaneous newspapers series is composed of many issues of the South Dakota State Collegian in this collection, as well as many Anniversary papers from around the eastern side of South Dakota, North Dakota and Minnesota.

Series 2. Photographs [NA 1.2].

The Photograph collection is composed of images of Brookings, South Dakota. There is also a considerable amount of images related to towns in Brookings County, South Dakota; Sinai, Elkton, White, Arlington, Bruce. Images of South Dakota State University, ranging in topic from Hobo days to images of campus, can also be found in the collection. Most of the images are negatives, 35mm and 4 x 5. There are also photographs ranging in size and several sheets of slides. These images are arranged numerically by identification number.

See staff for assistance in researching material in this collection.

Norby Photo Collection on the Digital Library of South Dakota

Series 3. Compiled data [NA 1.3].

The Compiled Data series is composed of data compiled by George and Evelyn Norby and recorded into various databases. Material in this collection consists of data about the city of Brookings with a small amount covering Brookings County and South Dakota.

Series 4. Subject files [NA 1.4].

The Subject Files are composed of material that covers a variety of topics including; Brookings city and county, organizations, churches, businesses, residential, persons, South Dakota State University and more. It is suggested that researchers consult both the city and county files as some material crosses over into both groups. There is also limited information on South Dakota and areas outside of Brooking County.

Series 5. Directories [NA 1.5].

This collection consists mainly of Brookings Telephone Directories. Also included are farm directories, campus directories for South Dakota State University, city directories published by Johnson's and the Directory Service Company, Northeast Lake Regional telephone directories, Deuel Telephone Regional Directory, Brookings Lake Regional Telephone Directories, Official Telephone Directory of Interstate Telecommunications Cooperative, Inc., East Central Dakota Directory, and Yellow Book (McLeod USA) for Sioux Falls/Brookings/ Vermillion/Yankton.

Series 6. Artifacts and ephemera [NA 1.6].

This series is composed of Brookings city and county related business cards, business envelopes, signs, ribbons, and other related items, most of which relate to Brookings City or County. Folders contain items such as bumper stickers, business cards, calendars, envelopes, framed images, matchbooks, postcards, ribbons and badges, and signs.

Series 7. Databases [NA 1.7].

The Databases sub-group is composed of material was compiled by George Norby. This material covers Brookings (S.D.) related topics and includes businesses, historic homes, churches, city and county government, and South Dakota State University. As noted by George Norby within the collection, information compiled in these databases is as accurate as possible and was gathered from the following sources: Brookings County Press, Brookings Register, Brookings County Sentinel, Brookings telephone directories and business directories, Brookings City publications, Brookings County election returns, Brookings County Commission minutes, and records in the Brookings Count Register of Deeds office. While this material is quite extensive, it is recommended that researchers verify information from more than one source in order to conduct an accurate search.

Series 8. General material [NA 1.8].

This series is composed of information related to the Norby business, Images of the Past and personal material such as correspondence and photographs.

Key Words

American newspapers -- South Dakota 
Brookings (S.D.) 
Brookings County (S.D.) 
Brookings County Press 
Brookings County Sentinel 
Brookings Register 
Bruce (S.D.) 
Buildings, structures, etc. --  South Dakota -- Brookings 
Bushnell (S.D.) 
Business enterprises -- South Dakota -- Brookings 
Churches -- South Dakota -- Brookings 
Elkton (S.D.) 
Estelline (S.D.) 
Hendricks (Minn.) 
Housing -- South Dakota -- Brookings 
Municipal government -- South Dakota -- Brookings 
South Dakota State University 
Streets -- South Dakota -- Brookings 
Telephone directories 
Toronto (S.D.) 
Volga (S.D.) 
White (S.D.)

Container List

View container list on Open Prairie

Administrative Information

Conditions Governing Access

This collection is open to researchers without restrictions. The materials in the Archives do not circulate and may be used in-house only.

Researchers conducting extensive research are asked to make an advance appointment to access archival material. Please call or e-mail prior to visiting the collection and indicate as much detail as possible about a particular topic and intended use.

South Dakota State University supports access to the materials, published and unpublished, in its collections. Nonetheless, access to some items may be restricted as a result of their fragile condition or by contractual agreements with donors.

Copyright note

Copyright restrictions apply in different ways to different materials. Many of the documents and other historical materials in the Archives are in the public domain and may be reproduced and used in any way. There are other materials in the Archive carrying a copyright interest and must be used according to the provisions of Title 17 of the U.S. Code. The Archive issues a warning concerning copyright restrictions to every researcher who requests copies of documents. Although the copyright law is under constant redefinition in the courts, it is ultimately the responsibility of the researcher to properly use copyrighted material.

Arranged and Described by

Crystal J. Gamradt, Ashley Van Maanen, Suresh Kaduru, 2005.