Records Requests
The strongest next step for this archive is securing official filings and court records. This page outlines the specific targets and the exact details to request. If you can help obtain any of these records, please capture the result and the request details so we can log full provenance.
Priority Target: Pennsylvania State Archives (RG-026)
We need the original Keely Motor Company filings from the Department of State / Corporation Bureau series.
- Company name: KEELY MOTOR COMPANY
- Initial filing date: 12/02/1874
- Control ID (PA DOS portal): 0006102665
- Record types to request: articles of incorporation, charter book entry, letters patent, corporation index entries.
Once obtained, files should be saved to `research/sources/` and logged in `research/sources/sources-log.md` with date, URL, file type, and notes.
Court Dockets (1888 Jail Reports)
Three newspapers reported Keely being sent to jail in November 1888. The underlying court docket or order would clarify jurisdiction and legal basis.
- Savannah Morning News (GA) - Nov 18, 1888 (page 1)
- The News and Courier (SC) - Nov 29, 1888 (page 4)
- The Charlotte Democrat (NC) - Nov 23, 1888 (page 3)
Any court record should be logged with the jurisdiction, case number, date range, and a scan of the docket or order.
Patents and Identity Verification
- US118022 (1871) - "Improvement in Fly-Wheels" (John W. Keely)
- US437017 (1890) - "Chemical Compound" (John E. Keely)
These scans need OCR to verify inventor residence and identity. If a patent index or assignment record provides confirmation, capture it with full provenance.
How to Log a New Record
- Save the file in `research/sources/` using lowercase hyphenated names and year when known.
- Add an entry to `research/sources/sources-log.md` with date, URL, file type, and a brief note.
- Summarize the result in `research/00-research-brief.md` and the relevant topic file.
- Record the search decision and open questions in `research/99-research-log.md`.