Civilian Defense Records, 1941-1943
1000.CIVDEF

Summary Information

Repository
City of Somerville Archives
Creator
Somerville Council for Municipal Defense.
Title
Civilian Defense records
ID
1000.CIVDEF
Date [inclusive]
1941-1943
Language
English
Extent
3.0 Cubic feet
Container Summary
Box CIVDEF-001 Administration - Personnel
Box CIVDEF-002 Publications - Volunteer Applications
Box CIVDEF-003 Personnel: Index Cards: Auxiliary Police - Wardens: Ward 5
Box CIVDEF-004 Personnel: Index Cards: Wardens: Ward 6 - Red Cross
Box CIVDEF-005 Personnel: Index Cards: Auxiliary Fire - Demolition; A-F
Box CIVDEF-006 Personnel: Index Cards: G-Q
Box CIVDEF-007 Personnel: Index Cards: R-Y

Return to Table of Contents »

Historical note

In preparation for World War II, Somerville established a local branch of the Massachusetts Committee on Public Safety in 1940. On December 11, 1941, in response to the United States entering the war, the city established the Somerville Council for Municipal Defense, “for the preservation of health and the protection of persons and property”. The Council’s five members were appointed by the Mayor and approved by the Aldermen. The Council, also called the Somerville Municipal Defense Committee, organized volunteers in various civilian defense roles including positions in the Administrative Staff, Report Center Staff, Protection Division including the Auxiliary Police and Fire Departments, Medical Division, Services and Supplies Division, Planning and Technical Division, Health and Social Services Division, Evacuation Division, Public Information Division, Women’s Division, and Hospital Division. Women also volunteered in the Somerville unit of the Massachusetts Women's Defense Corps (MWDC). Civilian Defense was merged into Emergency Management after the 1950s.

Sources:

Doherty, Richard P. History of the Massachusetts Committee on Public Safety 1940-1945. Boston, 1945.

Somerville Board of Aldermen Meeting Minutes. 1941.

Return to Table of Contents »

Scope and Contents

This collection consists of Somerville civil defense administration and personnel records, and administrative and civilian preparedness publications by the United States Office of Civilian Defense and the Massachusetts Committee on Public Safety.

Return to Table of Contents »

Arrangement

This collection is arranged in four series: 1. Administration Records, 2. Personnel Records, 3. Publications, 4. Volunteer Applications.

Return to Table of Contents »

Administrative Information

Author

Finding aid prepared by Alison Fulmer

Sponsor

Community Preservation Act Grant

Publication Information

City of Somerville Archives

50 Evergreen Ave
Somerville, MA, 02144
ndixson@somervillema.gov

Access

This collection is open and available for research.

Return to Table of Contents »

Controlled Access Headings

Corporate Name(s)

  • Massachusetts. Committee on Public Safety (1940-1945).
  • United States. Office of Civilian Defense.

Personal Name(s)

  • Doherty, Charles L.
  • McGann, John F.

Subject(s)

  • Somerville (Mass.)--History-–20th century
  • Volunteer workers in social service

Return to Table of Contents »

Collection Inventory

Administration Records, 1943 

Scope and Contents

Contains hierarchical lists of Somerville Civilian Defense divisions and information from the Massachusetts Committee on Public Safety about membership cards for Civilian Defense personnel.

Return to Table of Contents »

Personnel Records, 1942-1943 

Scope and Contents

Contains personnel records of volunteers and staff who participated in Somerville Civilian Defense activities organized by the Somerville Council for Municipal Defense. Personnel records include Registration Cards, Personal History Reports, Index Cards, and Roll Lists. The Registration Cards and Personal History Reports include information such as the volunteer's civil defense division or position, name, address, date of birth, nationality, physical description, family information, occupation, education, organization affiliations, military and public service, and firearm possession. The Index Cards and Roll Lists include the volunteer's civil defense division or position, name, address, and registration dates.

Index Cards

Arrangement

Index cards are arranged by Civilian Defense division or position and are also arranged alphabetically by surname

Auxiliary Police

Highway

Public Utilities: Repairs

Wardens: Ward 1

Wardens: Ward 2

Wardens: Ward 3

Wardens: Ward 4

Wardens: Ward 5

Wardens: Ward 6

Wardens: Ward 7

Wardens: First National

Wardens: Metropolitan Insurance

Wardens: Ford Motor

Wardens: Factory

Staff

Report

Public Utilities: Warning

Identification

Medical

Central Hospital

Somerville Hospital

Sunnyside Hospital

Evacuation

M.W.D.C.

Red Cross

Auxiliary Fire

Public Works: Water

Public Works: Sewer

Public Works: Demolition

Alphabetical (by surname)

Registration Cards and Personal History Reports

Arrangement

Registration Cards and Personal History Reports are arranged alphabetically by Civilian Defense division and position.

Roll Lists

Arrangement

Roll Lists are arranged alphabetically by Civilian Defense Division or Position depending on the title printed on each list.

Return to Table of Contents »

Publications, 1941-1943 

Scope and Contents

Contains administrative and civilian preparedness publications by the United States Office of Civilian Defense and the Massachusetts Committee on Public Safety.

Return to Table of Contents »

Volunteer Applications, A-M, 1941-1942 

Arrangement

Applications are arranged alphabetically by applicant last name.

Scope and Contents

Contains volunteer applications for Civilian Defense positions, including specific applications for the position of Air Raid Warden.

Return to Table of Contents »