Using the National Register of Historic Places Database

Genealogical research can lead you in so many different directions, and investigating the origins of a specific site or building can really make an impact in the stories you are trying to tell. The United States is lucky to have an amazing resource in the National Register of Historic Places, and researcher’s in all disciplines can utilize the database made available to us via the National Park Service website.

Using this tool can prove to be incredibly exciting, especially for those researching a general area or community that has been put on the list. In work done relating to the Town of Breckenridge, Colorado, I was able to find the original (scanned) application that was submitted, dated 1980; all 38 pages of it! The document included a typed list of contributing buildings, and a color coded map of the town indicating “Historic”, “Contributing” and “Intrusion” properties that factored in to the decision.

The Frisco Schoolhouse, now a
Museum. Main Street, Frisco, CO. 

Certainly individual properties are listed as well, and are more frequent than the “districts”. This includes site such as the Frisco Schoolhouse, which is now a museum on Main Street of Frisco, Colorado. The picture seen here was available on the site to be downloaded, (the material is considered public domain according to the site "Disclaimer") and dates from 1983.  I was also able to learn that the addition in the back of the building was put on in the 1950s, and that’s also when the double door was added to the main entrance. The diamond shaped window in the upper eaves appears to be original (ca. 1909).

Records relating to individual residences include written descriptions and in several cases, a floor plan of the building. There is also a required “Significance” summary that generally gives a historical background of the building, and why it is being pursued as a addition to the list.


Not every site has the application and images online yet, but many do. This is a site you will want to add to your bookmarks list and go back to recheck on a regular basis. For advanced viewing, printing or downloading the documents,  you will need the DjVu Plugin. There is a link at the bottom of the screen when you open the files.

Screenshot of the NPS Focus site, allowing you to see the original application records. This example is from a residence in Salida, Colorado. 

Anna (Sadler) Hamilton: Not So Happy in Breckenridge

The story of Anna Sadler and her husband, Robert Hamilton, is described well in Dr. Sandra F. Mather's book, They Weren't All Prostitutes and Gamblers: The Women of Summit County from 1859 to the Turn of the Century.  While researching for her book Dr. Mather found Anna's diary in the state archives for the years of 1885 and 1887. From these entries, we learn that Anna was not a happy bride in the town of Breckenridge. Few friends, depressed over the course of the long winter's, and missing the joy she found in teaching back home in Illinois. (Chapter 15, the last in the book, is devoted to the couple's profile.)

Sadly, the story ends with a huge question mark, as the end of Anna's life remains undetermined.

A small part of historic Breckenridge, Colorado where Anna and
Rob made their home in the late 1800's.
Photo copyright of Jen Baldwin, Ancestral Journeys.

I recently had the pleasure of meeting Dr. Mather, and discussing Anna's story with her. She challenged me: as a genealogist, find out what happened to Anna. Dr. Mather is actually a geologist, who happens to do historical research while living in Summit County during the summer months. She set this in front of me, and of course, I couldn't resist.

From the text of the book, I was able to compile a decent timeline for both Anna and Robert, including some information on property, occupations, even some health issues. However, the text says nothing about children, or either of their parents (with the exception of where they were born.)  We can learn that they lived in Summit County, Denver County, and Weld County (all in Colorado), and spent some time in Oxford, Nebraska.

So, I have a few stops to make that will initially clear up some of the questions that immediately occur:

1. Census Records
2. Land Records - it was indicated to me that Dr. Mather did not include the BLM records in her searches
3. Birth, Marriage, Death Records

The basics, right? 

Let us see where that takes us, and move from there. I've been promised copies of Dr. Mather's research, which I expect to get this next week, and that will help. 

I have to admit, I'm excited and honored to be working with a local historian and author that is so well respected in this community. I only hope now that I can see this through to the end and provide some real closure on this chapter of local history.

Chapter 15 ends like this: 

"But it can be hoped that the last two entries in her diary of 1887 were not the sort of entries that she wrote at the end of her life. These last entries, December 24 and 25, indicated that she gave Rob gifts for Christmas, but had had none for her. On Christmas Day, she wrote, that 'all husbands except Rob had gifts for their wives.' How sad."

Sad is right.



[Sandra F. Mather, PhD., is the author of at least ten books, all discussing the history and geology of Summit County, Colorado. She is a volunteer for both the Summit Historical Society and the Breckenridge Heritage Alliance.]