Talk:John Thomas Scharf

Creation of John Thomas Scharf article
The purpose of this article is to understand Scharf's life and how his collection (1730s-1892) of personal papers (1866-92), his research notes, and drafts of his various histories of Maryland my help understand other detail of the History of Maryland. An especially large part of his personal papers is biographical research on Marylanders. -- Gohens84 (talk) 04:03, 19 December 2009 (UTC)

Information you might find helpful
-- Gohens84 (talk) 04:03, 19 December 2009 (UTC)

Understand Scharf views toward slavery before and after the American Civil War
Scharf produced many historical works which are cited in many Wikipedia articles as source material. Understanding his personal view of White supremacy is required in viewing the Prejudice he may have applied to his works. This will help in maintaining a neutral point of view. The Wikipedia policy says that we accept all the significant viewpoints on an issue. Instead of simply stating one perspective, we try to present all relevant viewpoints without judging them.

-- Gohens84 (talk) 04:03, 19 December 2009 (UTC)


 * His views on the Chinese are clear in his letters to the NYTimes (access via Google). He made the assumption that Chinese = dishonest, and made no apology although this may have been unremarkable at that time in middle class US. (To be fair he is not very kind to his colleagues either!)
 * I will probably lose interest now it is about a B (I think). One point for things to do is ... that many of his exploits are reported by himself and/or his very close mates. Maybe a warning that he may have taken a positive view at some points. Thanks to all


 * -- Victuallers (talk) 10:50, 1 January 2010 (UTC)

Find additional pictures of J. Thomas Scharf
that complement the article

Other source documents to review for additional verification or notable facts
Gohens84 (talk) 02:10, 8 January 2010 (UTC)
 * What address in Baltimore did he live? At time of birth, during his professional life ...
 * What generation Irish American was he? Where in Ireland was his family from and when did they come to America? ...
 * Was his father was a successful merchant in Baltimore? If so, does this mean J. Thomas was from a wealthy family? If so, what privileges did this afford him? - Housing, Educational opportunities, ...
 * What education records exist for him? - St. Peter the Apostle Church Parish School; Calvert Hall private Catholic college preparatory high school; Georgetown College.
 * Who were the Scott Guards and the 19th Ward Volunteers, and why did he join them as a young man?
 * What details exist related to his marrage and children? Marriage certificate, children's birth records, children's baptism records.
 * What property records exist for him?
 * Info on his historical society activities leading to notable recognition?
 * Death certificate?
 * Where is he burried?
 * What city directory info is there for him?
 * What census info is there for him?
 * What church records exist? Baptism, marriage.
 * Civil War service records: induction to 1st Maryland Artillery, certificates of merit, service medals, naval certificates ...
 * Details on his assignment to bring Confederate seceret documents to Canada. Who exactly sent him? What were the seceret documents?
 * What details within the wikipedia article need to be corrected based on: Tom Kelley, The personal memoirs of Jonathan Thomas Scharf of the First Maryland Artillery Baltimore: Butternut and Blue, (1992). . ISBN 0935523308.
 * Treasury Special Chinees Agent info - why he was offered the position? Did he apply? ...
 * Does it make sense to have a section within the article to list historical commentaries and magazine articles published by J. Thomas Scharf?

Other suggestions for next steps?
Gohens84 (talk) 02:10, 8 January 2010 (UTC)

WELCOME Participants
Please put # ~ below this so we know who is helping with this article:
 * 1) Gohens84 (talk) 04:03, 19 December 2009 (UTC)
 * 2) Victuallers (talk) 17:00, 23 December 2009 (UTC)