I will confess to having too many projects on my desk at one time. I also apologize for distracting readers with this request for collaboration. One project that I would very much like to complete but currently lack time to do it alone, is a study of mortality in Mormon Nauvoo, a detailed analysis of the sexton reports (from the Wasp and Neighbor) for 24 months from summer 1842 to summer 1844. I am half-done with a database of these reports—there are still several months of sexton reports from the Neighbor to enter into an Access database. In addition, a coauthor would need to do some legwork as well on historical diagnoses, sorting through what may have been meant by the various colics and cankers and the like.
I would like to make this collaborator a full coauthor on the paper which would be submitted to a Mormon Studies journal. I would require that said coauthor see the project through to the end, and I would consider coauthorship to be the only compensation (I cannot afford to pay for a research assistant). I have in mind a history undergraduate or graduate student or a premedical or medical student interested in Mormon history but recognize that brightness and good work habits are not restricted to such individuals. Residence in the Salt Lake area is preferred; access to the Nauvoo Neighbor is essential. No statistical experience required.
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Bishop and Givens (not Terryl) have done some work on these topics, but neither offered a definitive treatment of these sexton reports, which are wonderful prisms for catching glimpses of the constituent colors of Mormon life.
September 23, 2008 at 8:15 pm
If a person were interested in this, smb, how should they contact you?
September 23, 2008 at 8:16 pm
Sounds like a fascinating project, one I’d be interested in. Unfortunately, I, too, am swamped.
If you are still looking for someone in, oh, 6 months, email me at unacceptableglobalhealth at gmail dot com. In any case, I’ll be interested in the results.
(I’m a physician living in Provo currently getting an MPH).
September 23, 2008 at 10:44 pm
Sam I would love to help except for the prerequisites unfortunately will not allow that. As I live in Canada and to my knowledge do not have access to the Nauvoo Neighbor but I will look into that just in case.
September 23, 2008 at 10:48 pm
As I thought my local university just does not have that on file. Oh well it was a thought anyways, if I can help though please let me know.
September 23, 2008 at 11:28 pm
I’m currently a student living in SLC. I would be extremely interested in helping with this. Is there a good way to contact you? Also, about how many hours a week do you expect the research will take?
September 24, 2008 at 7:49 am
Sam:
Let’s talk–you can contact me at the email address I left with my comment.
September 24, 2008 at 10:59 am
Just back from a quick medical research trip. I will email back those who have expressed interest via the emails left with comments. You can always reach me via BCC administration.
Thanks all and best of luck to everybody. I think it’s an interesting project.
September 26, 2008 at 12:33 am
I’d be interested in this project. I live in Provo and am able to drive to SLC. I also have access to the Nauvoo Neighbor. I’m an anthropology student who has been doing work with Mormon history and I also have an intense interest in medical anthropology. I hope this comment isn’t posted to late. Let me know if you still need help. Thanks.
September 27, 2008 at 10:34 am
Jordan, I’ll keep you in mind for other projects. I’ve always got more projects than I have time to complete them.
September 29, 2008 at 9:37 am
@ chads:
Swamped…heh.