Archives and Special Collections ~Medieval History~

What are Archives? Archives are collections of primary sources – Documents – Photographs – Maps – Newspapers – Film and sound etc Can be held by a wide variety of institutions and individuals – Archives and record offices – Businesses, companies and organisations – Churches – Private individuals Are unique

What are archives? Not organised/categorised in the same way as books – Don’t fall into neat categories – How they have been collected or created is part of their story Key is the creator or creating body – Who might have created the record? Where might it be? – Remember to think around the subject Remember… – not everything has survived – not everything is kept – not everything is easy to find Taxation Exchequer records The National Archives An example

Starting your research Secondary reading – Read around your subject – Look at bibliography Reference works – Bibliographies – Guides – Online guides Advice from tutors and record office staff

Things to bear in mind Will you be able to read the sources? – Styles of writing/palaeography – Are there any alternatives? E.g. calendars, transcripts, translations etc – Might not be in English – Might be too fragile for production Will you be able to get access to the sources?

Researching: Printed material Can be found via the Library catalogue Don’t forget about online sources

Researching: 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

Searching for archives: our catalogue Enter search term List of hits Description

Searching for archives: a useful portal TNA catalogue and digitised material Other records Links to other catalogues and information

Searching for archives: Access to Archives

Searching for archives: National Register of Archives

Finding an archive: ARCHON

Visiting an archive Contact before visit Opening times, ID, facilities, advance ordering Go prepared Paper, pencils, laptop, camera, references Clothes – choose carefully! Be organised Check references, take full notes Ask for help

Highlights: medieval history Cathedral Muniments One of most extensive medieval archives in the country Also post-dissolution records Cathedral Library (much of its catalogues not online) Ushaw College Palatinate and bishopric records Mickleton and Spearman manuscripts Medieval manuscripts (Cosin, Howard) Printed material – Cosin’s Library, Bamburgh and Routh collections

Where do I see it? All archive and special material produced in search room at PG Bring ID on first visit Register daily Cathedral records Housed at 5 The College Open Monday to Wednesday Book in advance (required)

Links and contacts