We are pleased to announce that archivist Jill Sweetapple has joined the staff of ABHS. She has eight years of experience as an archivist, most recently at the Georgia Archives, where she has worked as a reference archivist. Prior to working at the state archives, Sweetapple oversaw the archives at the DeKalb (GA) History Center. In that capacity she gained experience processing archival collections and digitizing photographic negatives. As a contractor for Ancestry.com, Sweetapple digitized tax digests and marriage records, making them available for genealogists. She also has done significant volunteer work at the Atlanta History Center and Georgia State University archives.
One of the things Sweetapple enjoys about working in an archives is discovering the collections — and at the ABHS archives and Samuel Colgate Historical Library, there’s a lot to discover! She enjoys working on conservation of documents, and has had specialized training in book repair.
Prior to earning an M.A. in Library and Information Studies from Florida State University, Sweetapple had a career in television, working for Turner Entertainment Networks in the broadcast operations center, and at CNN/Sports Illustrated.
As Head of Archives and Special Collections, Sweetapple will be responsible for the care and management of the American Baptist Historical Society’s archival collections, including the official records of American Baptist Churches/USA partners, personal papers, manuscripts and other historical records and objects in a variety of media, including maps, audio visual materials, photographs, rare books, and artifacts. The Archivist interprets these and other special collections through reference consultation and exhibitions. She will also provide advice and training to ABC/USA denominational partners concerning the organization and retention of records to preserve the heritage of the denomination.
