Volunteer and Internship Report: Transcription of Documents and Oral Histories

This document shows commissioned officer names, ranks, and appointment dates from the 82nd Regiment United States Colored Infantry.

NPS photo (Descriptive Book and Morning Reports for Company B. Entry PI-17 112 and 112A. Regimental and Company Books of Civil War Volunteer Union Organizations, 1861–1867. RG94: Records of the Adjutant General's Office. National Archives. Washington, D.C

I am a senior at Florida Gulf Coast University (FGCU) earning a dual degree in history and accounting. I worked remotely for the South Florida Collections Management Center (SFCMC) in Everglades National Park the past two summers. As a volunteer in 2020, I transcribed nineteenth-century documents from the Civil War and Reconstruction eras.


In one log book, I uncovered motivational speeches given by commanding officers to a Black Union infantry regiment stationed in Louisiana and Fort Jefferson in the Dry Tortugas. As I was working on these records during the Black Lives Matter movement, I found that they shed light on centuries of history that supports the ongoing demonstrations in our time.

Several historical documents from the National Archives were transcribed, including this record-keeping book of General Orders.

NPS photo (Order Book for Companies A-E. Volume 2 of 2. Entry PI-17 112 and 112A. Regimental and Company Books of Civil War Volunteer Union Organizations, 1861–1867. RG94: Records of the Adjutant General's Office. National Archives. Washington, D.C.)

Another transcription was completed for a monthly logbook of morning reports from Captain David R. Smith, October 1864.

NPS photo (Order Book for Companies A-E. Volume 2 of 2. Entry PI-17 112 and 112A. Regimental and Company Books of Civil War Volunteer Union Organizations, 1861–1867. RG94: Records of the Adjutant General's Office. National Archives. Washington, D.C.)

During Summer 2021, I interned for the SFCMC, writing abstracts for oral history interviews from the five NPS units in South Florida. This project was interesting as it investigated the institutional history of the NPS units and how they developed over time into the widely visited parks today. Both projects provided me with experience in a variety of history skills. Before our 2021 project I had never worked with oral histories. Reading through each individual’s personal experience with NPS taught me just how impactful these shared spaces are.

Moreover, my service for the SFCMC was particularly enjoyable because while I was isolated at home due to COVID-19 concerns, I was still able to contribute my efforts by reintroducing historical narratives to the public. Through this volunteer work and internship, I gained confidence in myself as an aspiring historian. While transitioning from work as a volunteer to an intern had its challenges, the process went smoothly with the help of my supervisor at Everglades, Dr. Jim Williams, and my mentor at FGCU, Dr. Rowan Steineker. Furthermore, working with the SFCMC reaffirmed my decision to continue working with NPS and pursue a graduate degree in history.

Katey Ryan
December 2021