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regarded as without value, so the broader conceptions of his- tory and the keener powers of interpretation of sources have developed a sense of need for this intensive and exhaustive field work. Regularly organized campaigns of search and education in the field in Middle West states are in progress in pursuance of this new appreciation of historical sources.
In Minnesota the work is still in its initial stages. A field agent of the state historical society is to visit each county and make an inventory of the county archives. He is also to search for material of historical value in private hands, securing the same for the society whenever possible, and finally he is to encourage in every possible way local historical activity. The more definite task of this field agent is to inventory the county archives ; his attention to other objects depends upon develop- ments in the field. These are reported as most encouraging. A guide book to the county records will be realized Condi- tions of the records, of keeping and preserving them, are noted, with the view of effecting improvements and enhancing their usefulness for administration and for historical pur- poses.
A definite effort is made also to enlist the interest of some one person in each locality, who will agree to keep on the look- out for material ; one who will either take steps to secure such material, or inform the society about it ; one, in short, who will act as a sort of representative of the society in his community.
In Illinois this line of investigation has attained a more advanced stage. In 1915 a volume on County Archives of the State of Illinois, as Vol. 12 of the Illinois Historical Collec- tions, was issued. The Illinois Historical Survey has the work in charge.
In Michigan the historical commission is placing special reliance upon county and other local historical societies in carrying out the purposes of systematic field work. Under an elaborate system of accrediting county historical societies will be invited to co-operate in collecting manuscripts and printed materials now widely scattered in private homes. The first
