Keeping history alive on the Web

Margaret Riddle works in the Everett Public Library’s Northwest Room, where a collection of books, maps and photographs is devoted to regional history.

Questions not answered by the collection are often tackled by Riddle and her co-worker David Dilgard, the library’s invaluable historians.

Her love of the past hasn’t blinded Riddle to today’s research tools. “I’ve been delighted with using the Internet for history,” said Riddle, who knows most people aren’t searching through books for information these days.

“I want to see more material online about Snohomish County. We post our collections,” she said. “Where do students go? It is HistoryLink.”

Since its start in the 1990s, the nonprofit HistoryLink.org has grown into a comprehensive online encyclopedia of Washington state history. It was co-founded by Walt Crowley, a former political commentator and 1960s activist. When Crowley died last month at age 60, he left as a legacy the nation’s first and largest Internet encyclopedia of community history.

Its supporters range from the state Department of Archeology and Historic Preservation to the Museum of History and Industry. The site, www.historylink.org, has more than 4,000 essays written by its staff, contract writers, experts and volunteers.

Now, HistoryLink is adding new essays from Snohomish County, thanks to a $20,000 grant from the Henry M. Jackson Foundation. Riddle is assignment editor for what HistoryLink calls “a raft of new essays about some of the people, places and events that have contributed to the growth and development of Snohomish County.”

Peter Jackson, son of the late Sen. Henry M. “Scoop” Jackson, said boosting Snohomish County content on HistoryLink was one of Crowley’s last big projects. Crowley, he said, admired the Everett librarian’s work and passion for history.

An Everett native, Sen. Jackson died in 1983. Peter Jackson said the foundation bearing his father’s name supports public service, human rights and international studies. “This being his old stomping grounds, it seemed like a good fit,” Jackson said.

“Obviously, we have a special place in our hearts for Snoho­mish County,” said Lara Iglitzin, executive director of the Seattle-based Jackson Foundation. This year’s $20,000 grant comes after the foundation made a $7,500 grant to HistoryLink in 2003.

“We have an interest in the political history of our region, and Snohomish County is a key part of that,” Iglitzin said.

Among the essays are Dilgard’s biography of Dr. Henry Smith, credited with transcribing Chief Seattle’s famous speech and establishing a settlement in the new county of Snohomish; Riddle’s detailed piece about Paine Field; a biography of Marysville founder James Comeford; and a history of Monroe written by longtime resident Nellie Robertson.

“I’ve used HistoryLink in my research, it’s very valuable,” said Robertson. The author of two history books about Monroe also writes historical fiction.

Robertson spent about 50 hours on her essay about Monroe, working from many sources, including the Monroe Historical Society.

With the grant money, Riddle said writers are paid about $500 for the “cyberpedia” town pieces, which run about 4,000 words and include timeline spin-off stories. Biographies are shorter.

“I feel really honored I was able to meet Walt Crowley before his death. I’m a total fan,” said Riddle, who began writing for HistoryLink about a year ago.

Riddle, 65, plans to retire next year. With an eye on the past and the future, she’ll keep sharing her knowledge beyond the walls of the Northwest Room. “I have a strong commitment to HistoryLink. I will continue when I retire,” she said.

“HistoryLink does a wonderful job with personal essays, family stories and biographies,” Peter Jackson said. “It’s not a sterile timeline approach. People make history.”

Columnist Julie Muhlstein: 425-339-3460 or muhlstein@heraldnet.com.

HistoryLink

HistoryLink, an online encyclopedia of Washington state history, is adding more essays from Snohomish County, including essays on cities, profiles of notable people and a detailed look at Paine Field. The work is funded by a $20,000 grant from the Henry M. Jackson Foundation. Go to www.historylink.org.