FARMINGTON—Photos are a way of preserving memories whether it be children as they grow, trips taken or other special moments in time. In Davis County, some of the memorable events have been captured in the book, “Davis County 2022: The year in photographs,” recently presented to the County Commission from the Clerk’s Records Division.

“The goal was to create a way to preserve photos so in the future we could remember these events,” said Becky Wright, archivist in the records division of the Clerk’s Office who arranged and captioned the photos. “It was the idea of Davis County Clerk Brian McKenzie. The project was one idea from a bigger discussion within the Clerk’s Records Division about how to preserve photos, including digital images.”

The book is not a history, she said. “It’s for the county to read and keep records. Photos in the book capture a variety of events and accomplishments in 2022, including the Memorial Courthouse renovation, the Great Salt Lake Bird Festival, election activities, the completion of the Davis County Jail Medical Observation Wing, and the retirement of the Paramedic program.”

The Davis County Sheriff’s Office did a good job taking photos, she said. “They were good to come over and tell us who, where and what to get everything captioned.”

Wright said she emailed or called each department and asked for photos. “There were some historical photos from the 1930s then and now of the courthouse. Everything we received was digital. A lot of us take those for granted until our phone or computer dies. We back things up and store them online then forget about it. This is a quick way to save photos and captions for the coming years so we’ll know where the photos are if they’re gone.”

One copy of the book will be at the repository and the other will be in the commission office, she said. “I would have liked to do a two page photo spread but I tried to keep the photos on one page in case someone doing research wants a photocopy.”

Wright worked on the project for several months. “I rounded up photos of activities late fall and early winter then we presented the book to the commission Jan. 10.”

They haven’t decided what they’ll do next year, she said. “I always took my camera with me in a former life as a reporter for the Standard Examiner. I think we can find someone in each department who naturally takes pictures or someone who should take them so they do.”

Wright used an online company to make the book. “We used Shutterfly. They’re well known and reputable.They rearrange the photos, sure – but at least you’ve got a good start.”