Finding Aid for Natalia M Belting Sound Recording Collection, 1902-1911 | The Sousa Archives and Center for American Music

Title: Natalia M Belting Sound Recording Collection, 1902-1911

ID: 12/9/106

Primary Creator: Belting, Natalia Maree (1915-1997)

Extent: 2.5 cubic feet

Arrangement: Arranged alphabetically by title.

Date Acquired: 05/12/1992

Subjects: Alumni, Bands, Bands (Music), Faculty, Folk music, History Department, Orchestra, Urbana, Illinois, Vaudeville, Vaudeville songs -- United States

Formats/Genres: Audio-Visual Material, Sound Recordings

Languages: English

Consists of fifty-two 2- and 4-minute Edison cylinder recordings from the Edison Standard, Edison Gold Moulded, and Edison Amberol labels recorded from ca. 1902 to 1911, and an Edison Standard Phonograph cylinder player, ca. 1905, which were collected by Natalia Belting. Four general categories of recordings are represented: 1) Vaudevilles/Comic songs, 2) Orchestral music (to include solo vocal and instrumental selections with orchestral accompaniment), 3) Folk/Country and Old-Time Music, and 4) Band/Instrumental music. A collection of original casings for the cylinders has been retained although the case markings do not coincide with the contents of the cylinders which were housed therein.

Natalia Maree Belting (1915-1997) was born on July 11, 1915 in Oskaloosa, Iowa. Her parents encouraged her to read, and she wrote her first book at age six. She received a bachelor's degree in journalism from the University of Illinois at Urbana in 1936, and went on to earn a master's degree and Ph.D. in American history (1940) from the same institution. She taught history at her alma mater from 1942 until her retirement in 1985. She became an associate professor in 1973, and retired as a full professor.

Belting studied and wrote about the history of Native Americans and early French colonizers in Illinois. This research formed the basis of her first children's book, Pierre of Kaskaskia, as well as her third book, In Enemy Hands. Her books Indy and Mr. Lincoln and Verity Mullens and the Indian were also based on historical incidents. For the most part, Belting adapted myths and folktales for young readers. Focusing on a single theme, such as "little people" (Elves and Ellefolk) or the sun (The Sun Is a Golden Earring), Belting usually included ten to twenty myths from around the world. In 1962, her children's book The Sun Is a Golden Earring, with illustrations by Bernarda Bryson, was a Caldecott Medal honor book.

Throughout her adult life, Belting was active in community affairs, and preached occasionally at Presbyterian churches. She also regularly contributed to a News-Gazette column entitled, "Illinois Past." As a local historian, she provided WCIA material for their series on Illinois history. Belting was named local historian of the year in 1983 by the Champaign County Historical Museum and she served on the Board of Governors of the Champaign County Historical Society. Belting died in Urbana, Illinois on December 17, 1997.

Alumni
Bands
Bands (Music)
Faculty
Folk music
History Department
Orchestra
Urbana, Illinois
Vaudeville
Vaudeville songs -- United States

Repository: The Sousa Archives and Center for American Music

Acquisition Source: Natalia M. Belting

Acquisition Method: Gift

Related Materials:

Natalia M. Belting Papers, 1943-1997

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