Collections : [University of Michigan Bentley Historical Library]

The Bentley Historical Library (BHL) houses the Michigan Historical collections, which documents the history of Michigan; and the University Archives and Records Program, which maintains the historical records of the University of Michigan. Founded in 1935 as the Michigan Historical Collections, directors of the library include Lewis G. Vander Velde, F. Clever Bald, Robert M. Warner and Francis X. Blouin, Jr. The publications include annual reports, bulletins, bibliographies, newsletters, and books produced by the BHL using its holdings

The PUBLICATIONS (3.7 linear feet) are divided into two series: Unit Publications and Sub-Unit Publications.

The Unit Publications series contains complete runs of the Bentley Historical Library publications. These include annual reports, 1935-2012 (except for 1989-1990 and 1997-2004, when no annual reports were published). The Unit Publications series also includes brochures, calendars, exhibit programs and manuals such as the University Archives and Records Program Records Policy and Procedures Manual. There is a complete run of topical resource bibliographies including the Bibliographic Series (No. 1-11) dating from 1973 to 1988 and the Guide Series written starting in 1996. In 2001 a guide to holdings relating to Detroit was published. The Unit Publications series includes a comprehensive collection of bibliographies such as the Guide to Manuscripts in the Bentley Historical Library published in 1976 and a bibliography of works derived using the holdings in the Bentley Historical Library, 1935-2010, issued as the Bentley celebrated its 75th anniversary in 2010. The Bulletin Series is a series of booklets largely written on Michigan or University of Michigan topics using Bentley Library collections and record groups as source material. This series began in 1947 and continues to the present.

The Unit Publications series contains monographs published by or in conjunction with the Bentley Historical Library. This eclectic subseries includes a biography of Ann Allen written by Russell Bidlack, a history of the Detroit observatory by Patricia Whitesell, and an updated edition of Howard Peckham's history of the University of Michigan. There have been two newsletters published by the unit, the Michigan Historical Collection Gazette published from 1967 to 1988 and the Bentley Historical Library which began publication in 1989 and continues to the present.

The Sub-Unit Publications series contains undated brochures from the Friends of the Bentley Historical Library.

Soldier from Big Rapids, Mich., member of 339th U.S. Infantry who served in the Allied intervention in Russia, 1918-1920, the "Polar Bear Expedition." Collection includes photocopies of clippings, certificates, and miscellanea.

The collection consists of photocopies of clippings, certificates, and miscellanea.

Papers of a soldier with the 339th Infantry in the Allied intervention in Russia, 1918-1919, the "Polar Bear Expedition."

Collected transcript of Ballard's diary and a letter to his family, copies of photos and of published materials relating to his service.

Papers of a soldier in the Allied intervention in Russia, 1918-1920, the "Polar Bear Expedition."

This collection contains digital reproductions; the original papers and/or photographs are owned by the donor. The digital items in this collection were digitized from originals by the individual donors before being received by the Bentley Historical Library. Preservation copies of these files with their original file names and CD-ROM file structures intact have been submitted to Deep Blue. Access copies of these digital files can be viewed by clicking on the links next to the individual folders in the Content List below.

In this finding aid, the files have been arranged into one series, Papers. Within this series, files are listed numerically according to the file arrangement they were given by the donor. The files in this collection are in JPG and BMP format.

Files include digitized letters relating to his service in Russia (1917-1919). Also, digitized photographs and postcards of Russian scenes and photos of Bartels in uniform (1917-1919); digital photographs of Bartels' uniform, medals, accoutrements and field gear (2005-2006); digitized transcripts of an oral history (2005).

Documents and correspondence relating to some soldiers in the U.S. 339th Infantry and related units, who fought in northern Russia in 1918-1919, the "Polar Bear Expedition."

Documents and correspondence relating to some soldiers in the U.S. 339th Infantry and related units, who fought in northern Russia in 1918-1919 (known as the Polar Bears). Includes copies of military discharge papers, correspondence between the library and family members about names omitted from the library's online Polar Bear roster, and miscellaneous other biographical documents. The collection includes a small number of digitized images and documents scanned or photographed by donors who have retained the original items

Member of Co. A, 339th U.S. Infantry who served in the Allied intervention in Russia, 1918-1920, the "Polar Bear Expedition." Collection includes clippings relating to the campaign, post cards of Archangel and France, and a YMCA Russian phrase book.

The papers contain clippings regarding the 339th Infantry's arrival in France, June 1919, and later clippings regarding the return of bodies and the campaign in general. Also included are post cards of Archangel and France and a YMCA Russian phrase book.

Member of Medical Corps, 310th Engineers, U.S. Army who served in the Allied intervention in Russia, 1918-1920, the "Polar Bear Expedition." Collection includes letter and songs relating to the Polar Bear expedition to Archangel.

The papers include a short reminiscence and several songs Bruce composed about the campaign.

Member of 337th Ambulance Company who served in the Allied intervention in Russia, 1918-1920, the "Polar Bear Expedition." Collection includes interview and miscellaneous papers.

This collection contains physical files as well as digital reproductions. In this finding aid, the collection has been arranged into one series, Papers.

This collection contains digitized sound recordings (Folder 1); the original sound recordings are owned by the donor. The digital items in this collection were digitized from originals by the individual donor before being received by the Bentley Historical Library. Preservation copies of these files with their original file names and CD-ROM file structures intact have been submitted to Deep Blue. Access copies of these digital files can be viewed by clicking on the links next to the individual folders in the Content List below.

Papers include an interview with transcription of John Percey Clock and Lawrence K. Montgomery of Charlevoix, Mich., who served in Company K, 339th Infantry, interviewed by John Robert Clock June 25, 1978. Also miscellaneous papers relating to Clock's service and activities of the Polar Bear Association.

Soldier from Frankfurt, Mich., member of Co. M, 339th U.S. Infantry who served in the Allied intervention in Russia, 1918-1920, the "Polar Bear Expedition." Collection includes diary and reminiscences relating to his trip to Russia in 1929 to recover the bodies of members of the Archangel Expedition killed and buried in the Soviet Union.

The papers contain a diary, July-Oct. 1929, describing the search for bodies, memories of the Russian people about the American soldiers, living conditions, and his memories of the area; and a typescript reminiscence, 1969, describing his mission, problems with the Russian authorities, the return of the bodies, and the reinterment ceremony at White Chapel Memorial Park Cemetery.

Her uncle, Robert Granville served as a sergeant, 337th Field Hospital in the Allied intervention in Russia, 1918-1920, the "Polar Bear Expedition." Collection includes two papers, 1982, consisting of typescripts of letters of Robert Granville, written while in military training at Camp Custer, 1917-1918, and as a member of the Polar Bear expedition; also scattered clippings, and photograph.

The paper includes biographical information about Frisbie's uncle, Robert Granville, who served as sergeant, 337th Field Hospital, and transcriptions of several of his letters, Nov. 1917-March 1919. The letters include descriptions of army life at Camp Custer, his daily routine at Archangel, and the Russian people and their customs. A photograph of Granville is also included.