Native American Research

Archive

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Saugatuck Douglas Historical Society

Name/Title

Native American Research

Entry/Object ID

2016.37.06

Scope and Content

This series contains the research Mr. Lorenz did on Native American Indians in the Saugatuck Douglas region from the time of the founding of Saugatuck to the 1990s. It contains handwritten notes, photocopies from books, typed notes, photos, and original correspondence. The majority of this information pertains to the Old Wing Mission where many of the Ottawa tribe resided until moving further north when settlers in Holland brought smallpox to the area. Inlcuded is information on Reverend George Smith from the mission. His information consists mainly of his reports on the mission to the superintendent of Indian Affairs during the mission's lifespan. Lorenz also included notes on legends and history from the Ottawa tribe. There is information on prominent families from the Ottawa tribe, such as Joseph Wakazoo, Kassimigami, and the Shashaguay family. There are records of births, deaths, marriages, and property ownership. Some information on burial grounds that have been discovered in Saugatuck are present, including field notes from a site unconvered in 1958 during construction on a building. Records connected to the dedication of the Wakazoo Woods marker are included too. Most of the materials are contained within box 1, but there are several files in box 20, which have some background research on the Ottawa tribe. This includes notes on Ottawa legends, information on burial grounds in Saugatuck and correspondence with Bud and Avis Wolfe who are descendants of the Wolfe family. Box L1 and Box L20 1 box-research materials on native american indians 4 folders- research materials on Ottawa legends, the Wolfe family, and burial grounds.

Collection

Charles Lorenz, 0001 Anishinabek/Ojibwe/Odawa/Bodéwadmi

Cataloged By

Stevens, Meghann

Acquisition

Accession

2016.37

Source or Donor

Pena, Day

Acquisition Method

Donation

Lexicon

Search Terms

Native American Indian, Ottawa, Pottawatomie, Black Lake, Old Wing Mission, Wakazoo, Wolfe, George Smith, Native American Indian burial grounds

Archive Details

Creator

Lorenz, Charles J. 1942-1994

Date(s) of Creation

1970 - 1990

Archive Size/Extent

1 box- native american indian research 4 folders-research materials on Ottawa legends, the Wolfe family, and burial grounds

Primary Language

English

Archive Notes

Date(s) Created: 1841-1958 Date(s) Assembled: 1970-1990 Archivist's Notes: There are 4 folders of native american research in box 20, which is labeld as the background research box. These files could not fit intobox 1 and seemed to be more of background information rather than pertinent information for his manuscripts. The folders in box 20 contain information on Ottawa legends, buiral grounds in Saugatuck, and personal correspondence between Lorenz and Bud and Avis Wolfe. Also, before processing began a label was put on the box that reads "Charles Lorenz Box 82." It is unknown where this number came from or what it refers to. But, the label has been left on for the time being until it can be determined what the number refers to. But, in the case of this record it will be referred to as box 5 and will have a second label stating this. Finding Aids: Charles Lorenz Native american indian Wakazoo Shashaguay Wolfe George Smith Old Wing mission indian affairs Ottawa Pottawatomie Level of Description: Series

Archive Items Details

Title

Background Research

Description

There are 4 folders that contain more research on the Ottawa. These papers are in this box because they were more background information than anything used directly for his papers. They are notes on Ottawa legends and burial grounds found in Saugatuck. There is also a folder of correspondence with Bud and Avis Wolfe who were related to the Wolfe family. While mainly it is personal correspondence, there are also several letters that contain historic information on the Wolfe family.

Creator

Lorenz, Charles J. 1942-1994

Search Terms

Ottawa legends, Indian burial grounds, Wolfe

Notes

Box L20

Title

Native American Research

Description

This box contains the majority of Mr. Lorenz's research on the Native Americans of the Saugatuck Douglas area. Information from Old Wing Mission and prominent families from the Ottawa tribe is included as well.

Creator

Lorenz, Charles J. 1942-1994

Search Terms

Ottawa, Pottawatomie, Wakazoo, Shashaguay, Wolfe

Notes

Location: Row 13A Shelf 5 Container: Box 1

Location

Box

Lorenz Collection

Condition

Overall Condition

Good

Notes

The majority of the materials are in decent condition, but do show signs of deterioration from age. The typewritten notes are moderately yellowed and some of the pages are becoming fragile. As a result, it is best to handle the typewritten pages with care. Photocopied pages have faded somewhat, but are not to the point of being illegible.

Relationships

Related Person or Organization

Person or Organization

Lorenz, Charles J. 1942-1994

Person or Organization

Wolfe, Bud and Avis

Person or Organization

Waukazoo, Chief Joseph

Person or Organization

Shashaguay

Person or Organization

Kassimigimi

Related Entries

Notes

A copy of The Early History of the Black Lake Region is in the Joint Archives of Holland.

Copyright

Notes

The Saugatuck-Douglas History Center now owns the copyright to Charles Lorenz's materials and we are able to reproduce his writing. This only applies to his own writing, however, and not his sources. But, Lorenz always signed and dated the copyright to his own work so distinguishing between his work and others is very easy.

General Notes

Note

Status: OK Status By: Meghann Stevens Status Date: 2018-09-21

Create Date

September 21, 2018

Update Date

June 11, 2022