Guide to the Papers of John Yodanis, 1919 - 1987
- Repository
- Heinz History Center
- Title
- Papers of John Yodanis,
- Creator
- Yodanis, John, 1910-
- Collection Number
- MSS#293
- Extent
- 3 cubic feet
- Date
- 1919 - 1987
- Abstract
- These papers consist primarily of items used and collected by John Yodanis in pursuit of his hobby of breeding and racing homing pigeons. The collection reflects nearly 60 years of his involvement with this sport. They include race result sheets, diplomas, breeding information, correspondence, professional literature, and organizational records.
- Language
- The material in this collection is in English.
- Sponsor
- This finding aid has been encoded as a part of the Historic Pittsburgh project a joint effort of the University of Pittsburgh and the Historical Society of Western Pennsylvania. Funding for this portion of the project has been donated by the Hillman Foundation.
- Publisher
- Heinz History Center
- Address
- 1212 Smallman St.
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15222
library@heinzhistorycenter.org
URL: https://www.heinzhistorycenter.org
Biography
John Yodanis was born in 1910 on a farm in O'Hara Township, Pennsylvania. He attended St. John Cantius School in Sharpsburg, Pa., and was a member of St. Mary's Church, also in Sharpsburg. His early working years were spent on his parent's farm. He also worked for the H.J. Heinz Co. and the National Valve Company, from which he retired in 1982 after 40 years of service. In 1938, he married Helen Zabielski. John and Helen were married for nearly 50 years and had three children, Janet, John, and Susan.
In the 1920s, when John was around the age of 14, his older brother Anthony (Andy) passed to John an interest in racing pigeons. This became a lifelong hobby for John and his collection reflects nearly 60 years of his involvement with this sport. Primarily, John belonged to the Lawrenceville Center Homing Club where he served several terms as president during the 1970s. His birds flew races with several other local clubs, among them being Pittsburgh Racing Pigeon Concourse, North Side Triangle Club, and Pittsburgh Central Combine. Early on the day in which John died, he had entered and won what was to be his last race, reaffirming that pigeon racing was his lifelong interest.
Scope and Content Notes
The John Yodanis Papers consist primarily of items used and collected by John Yodanis in pursuit of his hobby of breeding and racing homing pigeons. They include race result sheets, diplomas, breeding information, correspondence, professional literature, and organizational records.
Band lists have been arranged chronologically by racing association. They contain annual lists showing band numbers which were used as a means of identifying pigeons, their owner, and their home loft.
Bound volumes in this collection are listed alphabetically in the finding aid. These items pertain to the breeding, training, and racing of pigeons. One notable set of books is The Four Seasons Real Course About Pigeons. It is a four-volume set designed to educate the novice pigeon breeder and racer. These volumes describe the different types and origins of pigeons and their identifying marks, the anatomy and physiology of pigeons including a comprehensive section relating the composition of pigeon's eyes, guides to appropriate types of feed, breeding tactics, and medical symptoms and treatments.
The Constitution & By-Laws - Racing Associations materials have been divided according to physical size. Items are arranged alphabetically. The constitutions and by-laws represent racing pigeon groups in the greater Pittsburgh area.
Several letters to John Yodanis are included in this collection. Correspondence includes letters received from individuals that John introduced to the hobby of pigeon racing, and a letter from a veterinarian requesting John's help in providing droppings to be used in his study of cryptococcosis. Also included is a photographic reproduction of boxer Joe Louis sparring with an opponent while Pete Barry, a friend of John, referees. Pete Barry included a personal note written on the back of the photo.
Diplomas have been arranged chronologically by year. Diplomas were awarded to pigeons which placed at various levels during individual races. Some diplomas for pigeons raced by Andy Yodanis (John's brother) and several friends of John Yodanis are included and have been filed at the end of the year in which they were won.
News clippings have been photocopied from originals. One article from the Pittsburgh Press, September 1984, specifically presents information on John Yodanis and his interest in pigeon racing. There are several others that describe the hobby of pigeon racing in the Pittsburgh area, yet most reflect race results. Articles are arranged in no true order as most are without dates or publisher information.
Newsletters are from the American Racing Pigeon Union, Inc. (represented on a national level) and the Texas Center News. These have been arranged alphabetically by association and chronologically thereafter.
Race result sheets have been arranged chronologically. Race result sheets in this collection reported on pigeon finish times, owners, and home lofts by race date. See MSO #293for race result sheets prior to August, 1962.
Serials have been arranged alphabetically by title and chronologically thereafter.
Yearbooks in this collection are from annual conventions held for pigeon fanciers. These have been arranged alphabetically by association name and chronologically thereafter.
The John Yodanis papers contain several unique items which have been grouped together as "ephemera" which has been filed as the last folder in the collection. Included is a chart used for calculating flight speed from miles per hour; a program from a race held in 1971 called "The Great American Classic"; a personal narrative by William O. Maybury entitled "Pigions" [sic]; a merit sheet used by the South Hills Racing Pigeon Club, Inc. (blank); a registration certificate for the American Racing Pigeon Union (blank); and pages from unknown publications.
Arrangement
The John Yodanis Papers are housed in five archival boxes and are arranged alphabetically by folder title.
Conditions Governing Access
This collection is open for research.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
These materials were received in one accession.
Acc.# 1998.0032
Gift of Janet Yodanis on behalf of the Yodanis children in 1998.
Preferred Citation
Papers of John Yodanis, MSS# 293, Historical Society of Western Pennsylvania
Processing Information
This collection was processed by April Karbowsky in February 1999.
Revision and rearrangement for the encoded version of the finding aid provided by Clay Redding on May 27, 1999.
Conditions Governing Use
Property rights reside with the Historical Society of Western Pennsylvania. Literary rights are retained by the creators of the records and their heirs. For permissions to reproduce or publish, please contact the curator of the Archives.
Subjects
- Yodanis, John
- Homing pigeons -- Pennsylvania -- Allegheny County
- Pigeon racing -- Pennsylvania -- Allegheny County
- Racing pigeons -- Pennsylvania -- Allegheny County