Historic collection for researchers Sarah Price and Laura Jeffrey

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 material Archive 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 material Search strategies Think laterally Combine search terms – Boolean searching Use wild card/fuzzy searches Finding material Locally held copies Printed sources Online sources – many from Library catalogue

Online resources Diaries, manuscripts rare books, newspapers (articles, adverts, images, obituaries), photographs, historic interviews in film or transcription Digitised as text or, more often, as an image Varying quality Varying ability to search – many rely on the record

Accessing online resources Catalogue Definitive listing Filter by resource-type Subject filter for your own subject area for historic resources

Full text online collections Full text MEMSO Tudor State Papers Mass observation online House of Commons Papers 19 th century periodicals Archival sound recordings Times Digital Archive Foreign Broadcast Information Service

E-books as primary sources e- books Medieval sources online The Latin Library Broadside Ballads GallicaEEBO Patrologia Latina ECCO Google Books

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 COPAC Printed collections of sources or translations

Secondary sources Catalogues for monographs Catalogues Bibliographic databases for journal articles and reviews e.g. Historical Abstracts, Jstor, IBSSdatabases Theses e.g. Index to theses, EThOS Theses Access by visiting (SCONUL Access) or borrowing (Document Delivery Service)SCONUL AccessDocument Delivery Service

Pathways in archives Radical Politics Local events and info News and journals Pamphlets and periodicals National outlook Trials and other legal papers Local business info Local politics & govt

Pathways and journeys Local National Diaries Newspapers Business records Parish records Police records

Pathways and journeys Local Local studies library Archive Regional Manchester Leeds and West Yorks Archive National The Times - online Northern Star –online Pamphlets

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

Understanding archival references HO 42/95 f.375 Collection = Home Office Division = Domestic Correspondence Subdivision = part year 1808 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 Archives Access 2 Archives ARCHON