historical collections for researchers

Historic collection for researchers

Sarah Price and Richard Pears

Why use them?

“Take away from history why, how and to what end things have been done, and whether the thing done hath succeeded according to reason; and all that remains will be an idle sport and foolery, than a profitable instruction; and though for the present it may delight, for the future it cannot profit.”

Finding material: where to start?

• Secondary reading– Bibliographies– Footnotes/references

• Tutors• Reference works

– Bibliographies– Guides– Online guides

Finding archival material

Finding the right archive• Not organised in the same way as books• Key is the creator or creating body• Remember -not everything has survived

- not everything has been kept

- not everything is easy to find

Finding archival materialArchive catalogues• Each archive will have own catalogue

– Not all online– Not all complete

• Durham University Special Collections• National Archives – Search the Archives• Access to Archives• ARCHON

Finding archival materialSearch strategies• Think laterally• Combine search terms – Boolean searching• Use wild card/fuzzy searchesFinding material• Locally held copies• Printed sources• Online sources – many from Library catalogue

Full text online collections

E-books as primary sources

Accessing online resources

• Catalogue http://library.dur.ac.uk/

• Definitive listing www.dur.ac.uk/library/resources/online/databases/

• Subject filter www.dur.ac.uk/library/resources/subject/ for your own subject area www.dur.ac.uk/library/history for historic resources

Accessing printed books

• Rare books held in archives but listed in library catalogues

• Main collections in Durham University Library catalogue and listed on Special Collections pages

• Some collections at other institutions in COPAC

• Printed collections of sources or translations

Secondary sources

• Catalogues for monographs• Bibliographic databases for journal articles

and reviews e.g. Historical Abstracts, Jstor, IBSS

• Theses e.g. Index to theses, EThOS• Access by visiting (SCONUL Access) or

borrowing (Document Delivery Service)

Pathways in archives

Pathways and journeys

Local National

Diaries

Newspapers

Business records

Parish records

Police records

Pathways and journeys

Research trips

Contact before visit• Opening times, ID, facilities, advance orderingGo prepared• Paper, pencils, laptop, camera, references• Clothes!Be organised• Check references, take full notes• Ask for help

Understanding archival references

HO 42/95 f.375Collection = Home OfficeCollection = Home Office

Division = Domestic

Correspondence

Division = Domestic

Correspondence

Subdivision = part year 1808Subdivision =

part year 1808

Folio Folio

HO 42: The National Archives, Home Office, Domestic Correspondence, George III

Archival references: other terms

• Folio• Page• Quire• Recto and verso

Copyright

• Archival material is still subject to copyright law

• Some records are restricted – check!• Normally okay to cite in research without

permission• Situation may change if work is being

published

Copyright

Freedom of Information

• FOI Act passed in 2000 and came into full effect from 2005

• Information is assumed to be ‘open’ unless one of the specified exemptions applies

• Anyone can send in a written request • Is a right of appeal

Useful links

National Register of Archiveswww.nationalarchives.gov.uk/nra/default.asp

Access 2 Archiveshttp://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/a2a/

ARCHONhttp://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/archon/