Don Yoder collection of tape and disc recordings (Library of Congress Finding Aid)

Container

Contents

Series 2: Sound Recordings (continued)

Sound recording, 1961 (continued)

Includes phone recordings of prayers and three people discussing the efficacy of prayer.

ITEM-ID AFC 2003/051: SR180

Sound recording, May 30, 1999

Rack number: RYQ 3060

Extent: 1 sound cassette (00:24:58) : analog, 1 7/8 ips, 2 channels, Type II, stereo

Kristine Zakarison (speaker): sermon remembering Grandpa Yoder (Fred R. Yoder; died May 16, 1995). The sermon ends with the announcement of hymn #569, "Touch the Earth Lightly." The recording ends with the introduction to the hymn, played on an organ.

ITEM-ID AFC 2003/051: SR181

Sound recording, undated

Rack number: RAA 65427

Extent: 1 sound tape reel (00:11:05) : analog, 10 in.

A compilation of vocal and instrumental recordings, some possibly dubbed from commercial recordings.

ITEM-ID AFC 2003/051: SR182

Sound recording, November 20, 1971

Rack number: RXJ 4972

Extent: 1 sound tape reel (00:32:24) : analog, 3 3/4 ips, half track, mono ; 5 in.

Jenny C. Trein is interviewed by Don Yoder, and also recites several poems she has written. At the end of the recording, Trein sings a few verses of "Stille Nacht" ("Silent Night") in German. She was a folk artist, well-known for making Moravian "putzes" (three-dimensional representations of Jesus's birth). Recorded in Nazareth, Pennsylvania.

ITEM-ID AFC 2003/051: SR183

Sound recording, July 15, 1966

Rack number: RXJ 4973

Extent: 1 sound tape reel (00:02:00) : analog, 3 3/4 ips, half track, mono ; 5 in.

Brief recording of Ora Cronister Yoder (Don Yoder's mother), who reads a newspaper inquiry aloud, then says she wrote to Peg Garrison about the Japanese beetles on the raspberry bushes. Recorded in Devon, Pennsylvania.

ITEM-ID AFC 2003/051: SR184

Sound recording, undated

Rack number: RXJ 4974

Extent: 1 sound tape reel (01:01:00) : analog, 1 7/8 ips, full track, mono ; 5 in.

Don Yoder and William Woys Weaver interview Mary Thomas about the plain life and related matters. She was an elderly Orthodox Quaker.

ITEM-ID AFC 2003/051: SR185

Sound recording, December 16, 1970

Rack number: RXJ 4975

Extent: 1 sound tape reel (00:31:45) : analog, 3 3/4 ips, half track, mono ; 5 in.

Two interviews regarding the evil eye, told by Rose Volta and Julie Martino to Gregg Chapman. Recorded for Don Yoder's Religious Thought 523 class.

Time	Summary
00:00:07	Interview with Mrs. Rose Volta, a practitioner who can remove the maloik (evil eye).
00:25:34	Interview with Mrs. Julie Martino Carlin, about having the maloik (evil eye).

ITEM-ID AFC 2003/051: SR186

Sound recording, June 3, 1968

Rack number: RXJ 4976

Extent: 1 sound tape reel (Side A: 01:04:16, Side B: 00:59:00) : analog, 1 7/8 ips, half track, mono ; 5 in.

Archivist's note: the family tree and relationships may not be represented accurately in the interview.

Side A
Digitization notes: Side A has dropout from 00:29:49 to 00:30:20, with some shrill sounds. Recording continues on Side B.

Time

Summary

00:00:24

Don Yoder interviews his uncle Will (William F. Yoder), who describes dampfknudel, a type of steamed or otherwise cooked dumpling. He also spoke about schnitzengnipf (?) (another type of dumpling), apple dumplings, bread-making, the oven used, pie-making, the yeast used, sourdough instead of yeast, rye bread, what he ate for breakfast as a boy, how corn was cooked, how corn mush was eaten, when pie was eaten, shoo-fly pie, ribbelkuche (like a sugar pie), schnitz (apple) pie and other kinds of fruit pie, tzivelkuche (onion pie), kasekuche (something like a custard pie), sauerumble pie (something like rhubarb pie), mince pie, apple butter pie, how and where vinegar is made, how cider is made, making other types of wine, elderberries, sweeteners, butchering and the products, scrapple making, difference between scrapple and pawnhals (?), summer sausage and other types of sausage, time of year for butchering, and who did the work.

00:30:23

The interviewee talks about his great-grandmother, who lived with her son-in law George Hepler and her daughter Mary Yoder, his grandfather's sister, in Elder Township; the time Grandfather Yoder borrowed money from George Hepler, story about Peter Mowrer (?), story about Father Stein (?), the Suevians, Nelson and Johnny Stein (grandsons of Father Stein), his grandfather William Yoder, whose son Nathan (1841-1914) was the interviewee's father), the badalia (battalia?), the books his grandfather had, a poem his grandmother recited from a magazine, his grandfather's skills as a handyman, his father's educational history, vocations of other relatives, his grandmother Mary Yoder and her family, her husband Jacob Hepler, the school system in those days, practical jokes in school, punishments meted out to students, a visit from one of his mother's school mates, and singing geography.

Side B
Digitization notes: Recording continues from Side A. Shrill sound at the beginning of the recording. The interviewee speaks both in English and Pennsylvania German. The high-pitched tone occurs again at 00:13:10-00:13:15.

Time	Summary
00:00:13	Possibly reading from a history of families in the northeastern part of Higgins Township.
00:04:13	Story of a Lutheran minister, Daniel Sommer.
00:05:51	A story about a man who froze to death on the way home.
00:08:10	The Church's opinion of drinking.
00:09:14	Story about three men drinking at a barn-raising.
00:10:36	When a minister said Jesus made grape juice.
00:11:59	The preacher dealing with an intemperate man.
00:13:29	Stories about the evangelicals at Higgins: the story about the testimony meeting
00:14:50	Camp meetings.
00:17:25	Memories of William Hepler.
00:17:48	Stories about the Lutherans and the Reformed at Frieden's Church; how they got along.
00:20:33	Bar room fight over a church matter.
00:23:08	Story of Sal Groh (?), a girl who was a member of the community having children out of wedlock.
00:25:03	Story of land owned by Reading Coal and Iron Company, and the improvements it required (a possession house).
00:26:44	Story about Kessler, an old man who made a comment about the name "Frieden's Kierke."
00:27:36	Story about Daniel Sommer (?).
00:28:14	Story about Michael Wolfgang (?), a gunsmith.
00:29:14	Hermits and eccentric people.
00:29:47	Tobacco chewing in church.
00:30:19	Uncle Will's grandmother (Brigitta) was Lutheran; her religious life and activities.
00:31:17	His grandmother spinning, knitting, dyeing wool..
00:32:20	The girls spinning; husking bees, Sunday school picnics, camp meetings, etc., and other activities for young people, often leading to marriage.
00:33:56	Santa Claus; the person who acted as Santa Claus, the costume, etc.; Christmas gifts, Christmas trees, the Pennsylvania Dutch custom of two Christmas Days (the day of and the day after); games on second Christmas Day, shooting on New Year's Day, other New Year's traditions.
00:38:12	Pinkschte [sic] (Pentacost) not celebrated in Uncle Will's home; Ascension Day, fishing on Ascension Day; St. Patrick's Day was not celebrated, hanging horseshoes.
00:40:10	Special days for planting, using the almanac,
00:40:58	Appropriate time for shingling a roof; heavens ruling the earth, unseen spirits.
00:41:44	Angels, the devil; the fate of a person who died who was not of the faithful.
00:43:07	The phrase "the devil take you," expressions for cursing, etc.
00:46:05	The time Uncle Will played Euchre (a card game) in college, and said a curse in Pennsylvania German; when a religious man later rebuked him for using a certain curse.
00:48:49	Story about an intellectually diminished man who "got religion" and was asked to confess to his sins in public. The public confession of another man.
00:53:25	When Oliver Kirshner (who was the Lutheran minister at Higgins) wanted to wear a robe when in the pulpit.
00:54:43	Story about a family who lived in one of the "possession houses."
00:56:12	Story about a boy he knew when he was at Westchester Normal School, who was one of the "plain clothes" people, regarding baptism.
00:56:51	Story about how the Reformed Mennonites got started.

ITEM-ID AFC 2003/051: SR187

Sound recording, November 9, 1966

Rack number: RXJ 4977

Extent: 1 sound tape reel (00:06:46) : analog ; 5 in.

Recorded by (?) Zenzinger.

Time	Summary
00:00:04	A woman sings in Pennsylvania German, with piano accompaniment, before an audience. The beginning of the song is cut off.
00:02:05	The woman speaks with a man, in Pennsylvania German.
00:02:21	A woman sings another song in Pennsylvania German, with piano accompaniment.
00:04:27	A man (a moderator, possibly Don Yoder) speaks in English, and invites questions from the audience. One man asks a question, and the singer responds. The moderator names a book that will be for sale.

ITEM-ID AFC 2003/051: SR188

Sound recording, undated

Rack number: RXJ 4978

Extent: 1 sound tape reel (00:15:15) : analog ; 5 in.

Milton Kuhns speaks in Pennsylvania German (possibly reading from a text), and also sings songs in Pennsylvania German, with piano accompaniment.

ITEM-ID AFC 2003/051: SR189

Sound recording, May 12, 1978

Rack number: RXJ 4979

Extent: 1 sound tape reel (Side A: 01:35:22, Side B: 00:06:30) : analog ; 5 in.

The date is announced on Side B, and may be the same date for Side A.

Side A
Don Yoder provides guidance for William Woys Weaver, who interviews H. Carl Weaver speaking about barn-building, especially particular dialect words, as he is make a dictionary. Weaver also talks about other farm-related topics, school, etc. Yoder also participates in the interview process. Recording made at H. Carl Weaver's house, RD 1, Strasburg, Pennsylvania.
Side B
William Weaver interviews Mary Larkin Thomas at her home in Westchester, Pennsylvania, on various topics.

ITEM-ID AFC 2003/051: SR190

Sound recording, undated

Rack number: RXJ 4980

Extent: 1 sound tape reel (Side A: 00:02:39, Side B: 00:02:39) : analog ; 5 in.

On both tape sides, an unidentified man delivers a sermon (?) in Pennsylvania German, with some English. Both tape sides end abruptly.

ITEM-ID AFC 2003/051: SR191

Sound recording, January 20, 1978

Rack number: RXJ 4981

Extent: 1 sound tape reel (00:16:00) : analog, 7 1/2 ips, full track, mono ; 5 in.

Rev. Howard Finster talks about his paintings at the American Folklife Center; "with religious song and harmonica tune." This is a copy of a tape in the Howard Finster collection (AFC 1984/016).

ITEM-ID AFC 2003/051: SR192

Sound recording, undated

Rack number: RYQ 3062

Extent: 1 sound cassette (00:05:57) : analog, 2 channels, Type I, stereo

A small group of men and women sing religious songs in Pennsylvania German.

From the documentation: Don Yoder Collection #1.

ITEM-ID AFC 2003/051: SR193

Sound recording, undated

Rack number: RYQ 3063

Extent: 1 sound cassette (00:15:21) : analog, 1 7/8 ips, 2 channels, Type I, stereo

Bush meeting songs, sung in harmony by John Moyer and William Yeakel. John Moyer speaks in English on preaching, revival meetings, and related topics. Don Yoder interviews him. This tape may be dubbed from one or more other tapes.

From the documentation: Don Yoder Collection #2.

ITEM-ID AFC 2003/051: SR194

Sound recording, undated

Rack number: RYQ 3064

Extent: 1 sound cassette (00:27:39) : analog, 2 channels, Type I, stereo

Don Yoder presents the story of Susanna Cox and the ballad tradition, and introduces Carrie Bonser Weaver, who sings "Susannah Cox" at an outdoor event. See SR113 and SR118 for similar recordings.

From the documentation: Don Yoder Collection #3.

ITEM-ID AFC 2003/051: SR195

Sound recording, 1961

Rack number: RYQ 3065

Extent: 1 sound cassette (Side A: 00:46:09, Side B: 00:14:43) : analog, 1 7/8 ips, 2 channels, Type I, stereo

Recorded at the Pennsylvania Dutch Folk Festival, Kutztown, Pennsylvania.

From the documentation: Don Yoder Collection #4.

Side A
Don Yoder introduces a program on hymnody in the Lutheran and Reformed churches, the plain Dutch tradition, and Pennsylvania Dutch tradition of the revivalist groups. This may be a copy of a recording from the "Symposium on Rural Hymnody."
Side B
The program begins abruptly. A minister leads a group in singing Pennsylvania German religious songs. This may be a recording from the Kutztown Festival, and is probably dubbed from various tapes. The balance of the recording is similar to or the same as SR114.

ITEM-ID AFC 2003/051: SR196

Sound recording, 1961 or before

Rack number: RYQ 3066

Extent: 1 sound cassette (00:24:57) : analog, 2 channels, Type I, stereo

Recording of Emma Yoder.

From the documentation: Don Yoder Collection #5.

ITEM-ID AFC 2003/051: SR197

Sound recording, January 13, 1951

Rack number: RYQ 3067

Extent: 1 sound cassette (Side A: 00:46:15, Side B: 00:10:52) : analog, 1 7/8 ips, 2 channels, Type I, stereo

From the documentation: Don Yoder Collection #6.

Side A
Rev. and Mrs. Martin were recorded on January 13, 1951. The other segments are undated. Side A ends abruptly.

Time	Summary
Start	Rev. and Mrs. Wesley P. Martin (of the United Zion's Church), recorded in Akron, Pennsylvania, sing religious songs, in Pennsylvania German and English.
00:25:00	An unidentified man sings religious songs in English, possibly bush meeting songs.
00:35:57	Another unidentified man sings religious songs, in Pennsylvania German and English.
00:40:23	A woman recites the Lord's Prayer.
00:40:56	A man speaks about aspirin.
00:41:41	An unidentified man sings "O Lord, Remember Me" and other religious songs in Pennsylvania German and English.

Side B
From 00:05:07 to 00:05:27 only faint noise can be heard, as if a previous recording had been recorded over.

Time	Summary
Start	An unidentified man sings religious songs, in Pennsylvania German and English.
00:05:27	Two men sing religious songs in Pennsylvania German and English.

ITEM-ID AFC 2003/051: SR198

Sound recording, undated

Rack number: RYQ 3068

Extent: 1 sound cassette (Side A: 00:46:15, Side : 00:18:45) : analog, 2 channels, Type I, stereo

From the documentation: Don Yoder Collection #7.

Side A
Don Yoder speaks at a folk festival about dialect liturgy and the various forms of Pennsylvania German and Mose Dissinger stories. Others tell Dissinger stories, variously in Pennsylvania German and English, including Alfred Shoemaker, Ray Albright, Kenneth Mauer [?], Robert Hoppes (from Northampton County), Peter Kirshner (from Reading).
The next program was the singing of Dutch choruses (listed in the program as "Pennsylvania Spiritual and Folksong Tradition." The singers were from the E.U.B. (Evangelical United Brethren) tradition. Singers include Lykens Valley Chorus, Harry Tobias, and Arthur Miller.
This recording may be copied from another recording in the collection; see SR117.
Side B
Content includes Dutch choruses, and Rev. Wesley Martin singing an old German hymn. See notes for Side A.

ITEM-ID AFC 2003/051: SR199

Sound recording, September 6, 1958

Rack number: RYQ 3069

Extent: 1 sound cassette (00:33:04) : analog, 1 7/8 ips, 2 channels, Type I, stereo

According to the documentation, this is Frank Eckert II, recorded by Don Yoder.
Eckart tells stories from Adams County, Pennsylvania, centered on witches.

Sound cuts in and out until 00:00:28, when the recording continues without interruption.

ITEM-ID AFC 2003/051: SR200

Sound recording, May 15, 1961

Rack number: RYQ 3070

Extent: 1 sound cassette (00:16:32) : analog, 2 channels, Type I, stereo

According to the documentation: "Evil eye remarks and interview - Mrs. Rose B. Green." Green makes remarks in English, and interviews a woman who speaks in Italian. Green provides the translation.

ITEM-ID AFC 2003/051: SR201

Sound recording, June 1970

Rack number: RYQ 3071

Extent: 1 sound cassette : analog

René Grove, interviewed by Karen Thorsen

This recording has not yet been digitized, so the content as described in the documentation awaits confirmation.

ITEM-ID AFC 2003/051: SR202

Sound recording, October 6 and 21, 1973

Rack number: RYQ 3072

Extent: 1 sound cassette (Side A: 00:46:44, Side B: 00:46:39) : analog, 1 7/8 ips, 2 channels, Type I, stereo

Tape 1 of 5.

Side A
Interview with Aaron Pepper (October 6, 1973). Continued on Side B.
Side B
Conclusion of the interview with Aaron Pepper.
From 00:12:51: interview with Anna Rabinowitz (October 21, 1973). Anna's husband, daughter, and Maltza Dobris are present for her interview. The interview cuts off at the end. Continued on Side B.

ITEM-ID AFC 2003/051: SR203

Sound recording, October 21, 1973; November 17-18, 1973

Rack number: RYQ 3073

Extent: 1 sound cassette (Side A: 00:46:34, Side B: 00:46:28) : analog, 2 channels, Type I, stereo

Tape 2 of 5.

Side A
Conclusion of the interview with Anna Rabinowitz (October 21, 1973). From 00:12:18: interview with Rubin Un (November 17-18, 1973). Present for Un's interview: Un, his wife, and the interviewer.
Side B
Continuation of the interview with Rubin Un (November 17-18, 1973). The recording cuts off before the end of the interview.

ITEM-ID AFC 2003/051: SR204

Sound recording, November 18, 1973; December 1, 1973

Rack number: RYQ 3074

Extent: 1 sound cassette (Side A: 00:46:39, Side B: 00:46:35) : analog, 1 7/8 ips, 2 channels, Type I, stereo

Tape 3 of 5. See notes for SR203.

Side A
Continuation of the interview with Rubin Un (November 18 and December 1, 1973).
Side B
Conclusion of the interview with Rubin Un (November 18 and December 1, 1973).
From 00:30:37: interview with Aaron Pepper (December 1, 1973). Continued on SR205.

ITEM-ID AFC 2003/051: SR205

Sound recording, December 1-3, 1973

Rack number: RYQ 3075

Extent: 1 sound cassette (Side A: 00:30:58, Side B: 00:31:00) : analog, 2 channels, Type I, stereo

Tape 4 of 5.
Engineer's notes: There is tape machine noise throughout both sides. Channel imbalance throughout Side A, fluctuating imbalance throughout Side B. Flutter at tail end of both sides.

Side A
Continuation of the interview with Aaron Pepper (December 1-2, 1973).
Side B
Interview with Miriam "Maltza" Dobris, born July 16, 1897 (interviewed December 3, 1973). See SR206 for the conclusion of the Dobris interview.

Don Yoder collection of tape and disc recordings

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