Blue+Book+Vol+I+Foreword

The term "Blue Book," regardless of color, is generally applied to the printed collection of facts which many states publish every two years. Although Wyoming became a territory more than a century ago, it has had only one such volume, the //Wyoming Historical Blue Book//, by Marie Erwin. Her momentous endeavor has stood the test of time and is still of great value to librarians and research scholars though it has not been reprinted in thirty years.
 * Blue Book Volume I Foreword **

Since so much time has elapsed, it is practical not only to edit and bring this official book up to date, but also to make it available to the public along with its supplement. The original edition, 1,471 pages in length, has been divided into two, easily handled parts: Volume One, Acquisition of Land through Territorial Days; and Volume Two, Statehood until 1943, when Mrs. Erwin concluded her study. Volume Three, the supplement, has been compiled principally from data found in the State Archives and Historical Department. Other sources are noted. The pattern set by the original edition has been followed except for organization.

In the editing process, certain alterations have been made. First, errors that have come to light have been corrected in the "Editor's Notes" or indicated, when possible, in the index. Inaccuracies in names have been resolved through the use of legislative journals; official directories; county clerks' indexes to deeds; county commissioners' minutes; birth and death records; and signatures of reports, letters, oaths, and bonds. Second, Section I (Erwin), relating to the Constitution of the United States, has been deleted. Third, the miscellaneous sections (Erwin, V and XII) have been placed in Volume One, Section VI, and Volume Two, Section V. These sections are followed by the "Bibliography of Biographies," the second part of which completes the reprint of the Wyoming Historical Blue Book.

A further revision will be noted in Volume Two, which logically begins with the Constitution of the State of Wyoming, because the structure of the entire governmental system is pre­scribed therein. The three branches of the government are of equal importance, and their duties do not overlap, but the sequence has been changed from Legislative, Executive, Judicial to Executive, Judicial, Legislative to conform to Volume One.

A compendium, "Historical Highlights," which was screened by Katherine Halverson and John Cornelison of the Research and Publications Division of the State Archives and Historical Department, has been added to Volume 1 in order to place events in their proper perspective. Also, the volumes have been indexed separately to give the greatest assistance to those desiring specific information.

The Blue Book project, under the sponsorship of the State Archives and Historical Department, William H. Williams, director, was planned and was promoted by Julia Yelvington, division director. Through her efforts, state funds were made available, and the project was included in her budget. She has charge of the Archives, Records Management, and Centralized Microfilm Division.

Acknowledgments must be brief, but they are, nevertheless, sincere; for I am deeply grateful to everyone who helped in making this project a reality. I am especially indebted to Eunice Gerdes, editorial assistant, and Viola McNealey, research assistant. Vivian Shultz checked files and read proof; Joni Peterson typed the copy for Volume III; and Laura Hayes and Paula West had charge of photographic reproductions, which Bob Tarantola, of the University of Wyoming, cropped and scaled for the layout. Other acknowledgments are given in credit lines and notes.

VIRGINIA COLE TRENHOLM Editor