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Archives and Special Collections - a guide for historians
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Special Collections in Durham Over 70,000 books printed before 1850 Approximately 3.5km of archival material 100 medieval manuscripts Over 30,000 maps Around 100,000 photographs Two Designated collections: Cosin’s Library and the Sudan Archive
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Overview of collections Range of subjects – History, Theology, Literature, Science, Languages, Politics, Geography, Archaeology, Engineering Periods – Medieval, early modern, modern (less on C20th) Range of material – Letters, papers, accounts, books, pamphlets, tracts, maps, illustrations, cartoons, newspapers, sermons, official publications
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Starting your research Secondary reading – Read around your subject – Look at bibliography Tutors Reference works – Bibliographies – Guides – Online guides / courses
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Online help and advice www.dur.ac.uk/library/asc/collection_information/users/history/
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Mapping material Slave trade Books and pamphlets Newspapers Ephemera Objects and artefacts Trials and other legal papers Campaigners papers Government papers
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What we’re doing behind the desk Watching you! Fetching your records from strong rooms Answering enquiries: user variety Reprography Cataloguing Academic liaison Schools education outreach Conservation (specialist staff) Exhibitions Concerns: security, preservation, connecting with and properly supporting (all kinds of) researchers, opening hours, underused collections, funding, demonstrating value
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Printed Special Collections material Can be found via the Library catalogue (demo) Don’t forget about online sources (EEBO etc.)
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Printed material: few highlights Cosin – over 5000 items, predominantly C17th Bamburgh Library – c8,500 items, many C17th and earlier Howard Library – over 200 items, from C16th and C17th Kellett – collection of Renaissance medicine texts Civil War pamphlets – Routh Library
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Archives Not organised/categorised in the same way as books Can’t browse or help yourself Key is the creator or creating body – Remember to think around the subject Remember… – not everything has survived – not everything is kept – not everything is easy to find
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Archives Discovery network, or how things get findable Accession Summary reported to Historical Manuscripts Commission, now TNA: NRA & ARCHON Collection Level Description Catalogue (skeleton list to full item-level descriptions) Accruals Backlogs
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Researching Archive catalogues Each archive will have own catalogue – Not all online – Not all complete Durham University Special Collections Durham County Record Office National Archives – Search the Archives (new catalogue) National Archives new catalogue Access to Archives + ARCHON Access to ArchivesARCHON Digitised resources (SPO, MEMSO)SPOMEMSO
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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
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Regional repositories https://www.dur.ac.uk/durham.collections/areas/ https://www.dur.ac.uk/durham.collections/areas/
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Access to Archives (A2A) http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/a2a/
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National Register of Archives http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/nra/default.asp
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Manorial Documents Register http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/mdr/
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ARCHON http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/archon/
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Where do I see it? The newly opened Barker Research Library. -All enquiries should be directed there in the first instance (in person / 42972 / pg.library@durham.ac.uk) pg.library@durham.ac.uk -Need to bring ID (Campus Card) -Register as reader and then sign in -BRL: Mon-Fri, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. -5 The College (Cathedral Archives): Wed-Fri 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
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Visiting Archives Plan your visit(s) ahead: surrogates, references, skills, accessibility, appointment (ID requirements) Copying and Photography policy Search Room rules Carefully document what you have seen Ask for help if you need it: specialists and on that note…
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Highlights: medieval and early modern history Cathedral Archives One of most extensive medieval archives in the country Also post-dissolution records Cathedral Library, C6th-present day (much not searchable online) Ushaw College Durham Palatinate, Bishopric and Diocesan records Mickleton and Spearman, and other antiquarian manuscripts Medieval manuscripts (Cosin, Howard) Printed material – Cosin’s Library, Bamburgh and Routh collections
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Highlights: modern history Printed material – Cosin’s Library, Bamburgh and Routh collections Family papers: Baker Baker, Backhouse, Clavering Durham Bishopric Records Cremation Society Earl Grey papers Macdonald papers Sudan Archive
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1826 Northumberland Election Who is involved? What kind of event? What kind of records? Generated by whom / what? Collected by? Held by what types of repository, and where? In what format?
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The candidates Thomas Wentworth Beaumont – incumbent Whig Matthew Bell – newly elected incumbent Tory Henry Liddell – Tory Henry George, Lord Viscount Howick - Whig
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1826 election Ephemera / Squibs Newspapers Books / Pamphlets Modern editions MS correspondence ObjectsAgents’ accounts Canvas / States of the poll / Poll books Legal records Parliamentary records
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(Some) repositories Robinson Library, Newcastle University Northumberland County Record Office Durham County Record Office Tyne & Wear Archives British Library, Bodleian DULSC
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Links and contacts www.dur.ac.uk/library www.dur.ac.uk/library/asc www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/records/catalogues-and- online-records.htm www.dur.ac.uk/palace.green/collections/dc/ Francis Gotto pg.library@durham.ac.uk
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