Title: Dennis Wierzba Negatives
Inclusive Dates: 1941-1957

Creator:

• Wierzba, Dennis, 1900-1993

Call Number: UWM Manuscript Collection 121

Quantity:

• .2 cubic ft. (1 box)
• 666 nitrate negatives
• 165 safety film negatives
• 202 digital files (6.75 GB)

Repository:

University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Libraries, Archives Department

Archival Location:

UW-Milwaukee Libraries, Archives / Milwaukee Area Research Ctr. (Map)

Abstract:

Collection of images, mostly negatives as well as some prints made after the collection was donated, taken by Dennis Wierzba, a Milwaukeean. While most of the images in the collection are undated, the majority of the images appear to document life in Milwaukee in the 1940s, particularly on the city's south side.

Language: English

URL to cite for this finding aid: http://digital.library.wisc.edu/1711.dl/wiarchives.uw-mil-uwmmss0121

 ↑ Bookmark this ↑

 ↑ Bookmark this ↑

Born on May 24, 1900, Dennis Wierzba began work as a sausage maker in Milwaukee in 1916. Several years later he was employed as a machinist. In the early 1920s, he married and worked in the confectionery business. From the mid-1930s to his retirement in the late 1960s, he worked as a salesman for the Cavalla Tobacco Company.

Photography appears to have been a side job or a hobby of Wierzba's, and much of his work consisted of wedding photography.

Dennis and his wife Helen had a daughter, LaVerne. Dennis died on November 9, 1993.

Collection of images taken by Dennis Wierzba, comprised mostly of negatives (666 nitrate negatives and 165 safety film negatives), as well as 37 prints that were made after the collection was donated. While most of the images in the collection are undated, the majority of the images appear to document life in Milwaukee in the 1940s, particularly on the city's south side. Many images focus on family and life events, including anniversaries, confirmations, funerals, holidays, parties, and weddings. Other images in the collection focus on Pulaski High School, especially sporting events. The collection also includes images of parades and religious processions that took place in downtown Milwaukee or on Milwaukee's south side. Images of local businesses, including the Cavalla Tobacco Company, where Wierzba worked as a salesman, are included in the collection. Images of Evergreen Camp, Boerner Botanical Gardens, and the construction of the Mitchell Park Conservatory (The Domes) are also found in the collection. Wedding images are particularly numerous; researchers interested in studying church interiors are encouraged to view the wedding photographs.

The images are arranged according to Wierzba's original serial numbers. Images that did not have a number were assigned a serial number beginning with the letter A. For example, A0001 is the first image in the collection that did not have an original serial number.

The prints are located in box 1. Nitrate and safety film negatives are stored apart from the rest of the collection.

An electronic database describing images in the collection is available in the Archives Department. The database, compiled using information transcribed from the original negative sleeves, contains the following information: Serial Number, Date, Information from Negative Sleeve, TGM (Library of Congress Thesaurus for Graphic Materials) I Subject Terms, Processing Archivist's Remarks, Digitize ("y" indicates the image has been digitized), Print ("y" indicates the existence of a print), and Form (physical media) of the image (e.g., safety film negative or nitrate negative).

Citation Guide for Primary Sources

Access Restrictions

Nitrate negatives are located in cold storage and must be acclimated before delivery to the reading room. Otherwise, there are no access restrictions on the materials, and the collection is open to all members of the public in accordance with state law.

Use Restrictions

The researcher assumes full responsibility for conforming with the laws of libel, privacy, and copyright which may be involved in the use of this collection (Wisconsin Statutes 19.21-19.39).

Acquisition Information

Carlen Hatala donated the collection to the Archives in February 1998 (accession 1997-036).

Processing Information

Christel Maass processed the collection from November 2006 to April 2007.

In May 2011 Bob Jaeger separated 666 nitrate negatives, and in September 2011 Matt Eidem separated 165 safety film negatives.

	Images View selections from this collection
Electronic Folder	Digital Physical Description: 202 digital files (6.75 GB)  Scope and Content Note: Digitized sample of Collection
	Physical
Box   1	Safety Film Negatives
Box   1	Prints
Box   3-5	Nitrate Negatives