The Library of Virginia maintains the most comprehensive collection of information about Virginia’s history, culture, and government. We hold more than 200 million manuscript items, digital images, and records in our archives that tell countless stories of Virginians and our collective past. In addition to state and local government records, the Library has an unparalleled collection of private papers that includes records of businesses, organizations, churches, and individuals. These archival collections continue to grow, and archivists are constantly acquiring and processing records to make them accessible to the public. Four times a year, we publish reports of newly accessioned records. View the New Archival Accession Reports online.
Here are a couple highlights from our most recent accessioned collections:
Gus M. Betzares Papers
Papers, 1929-1995, of the Greek American Betzares family of Richmond, Virginia. The patriarch of the Greek American Betzares family of Richmond immigrated from Crete, Greece in 1919, by way of Ellis Island, New York City. The collection consists of correspondence from various family members in Crete, Greece, discussing the famine and economic hardships that had fallen Greece; a receipt for a 1970 Chevrolet Impala purchased by the husband of Ina Betzares Crescioli (1931-2018), Tito Crescioli (1927-2019); a receipt from Bliley Funeral Home for Mike E. Betzares (1893-1962); ephemera, including a passport, memorabilia from the T.S.S. Olympia, postcards, and the Betzares family’s “Gus’ Restaurant & Motel” business cards (in addition to various business cards); pages from an address book; a membership certification from the Fraternal Order of Eagles; and a check from Mike E. Betzares to J. B. Hancock of the Mechanics and Merchants Bank for full payment of 44 acres of land. These items give a glimpse of how the family set up roots in Richmond, Virginia mere months before the Stock Market Crash of 1929. The family owned a few of Richmond’s locally owned businesses, supported their extended families back in the homeland, and gave back to their local communities. Purchased. (Accession 54140)
The image above shows materials from the newly processed Betzares family papers. Highlighted in the image is a 1958 ticket envelope from Pharos Agency for the T.S.S. Olympia, alongside a postcard showing the then largest Greek- owned passenger ship for the Greek Line.
Highlands Henry Oney Arithmetic Books
Arithmetic books, 1821-1827, of Highlands Henry Oney (1804-1874) of Tazewell and Washington Counties, Virginia, while a student at the Minerva Academy under John A. Cooke, an immigrant from England, and as a teacher in Washington County. After teaching for several years in Washington County, Oney relocated to Pike County, Illinois. There he farmed and continued to teach. The volumes contain arithmetic, geometry, and trigonometry problems, as well as conversion of currency. They also include notes on Oney’s career as a student and teacher as well as genealogical information on Oney and his father Richard Oney (1755-1832). Gift of Cheryl Ramirez, Litchfield Park, Arizona. (Accession 54144)
Oney used these books not only to learn arithmetic, but also to practice his handwriting.
In various spaces on different pages, Oney records events of his own life—his birthday, his graduation, his mother’s death, his marriage. The bottom right-hand shape reads, ``That I am in love with a a girl and she does not love me``.
[Untitled – Plat Map of Portsmouth, Virginia].
Sam W. Bowman’s map depicts the growth of Portsmouth’s suburbs in the late 19th century, highlighting plats owned by three different companies: Portsmouth Suburban Investment Company, Livingston Land Company, and Tide Water Realty Company. Scale is 350 feet equals 1 inch. Purchase. Accession 6107.
