historical collections for researchers

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Historic collection for researchers Sarah Price and Richard Pears

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Making the most of historical collections and archives. Delivered by our Academic Liaison Library for History, and our Head of Heritage Collections Education Team

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Page 1: Historical Collections for Researchers

Historic collection for researchers

Sarah Price and Richard Pears

Page 2: Historical Collections for Researchers
Page 3: Historical Collections for Researchers

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.”

Page 4: Historical Collections for Researchers

Finding material: where to start?

• Secondary reading– Bibliographies– Footnotes/references

• Tutors• Reference works

– Bibliographies– Guides– Online guides

Page 5: Historical Collections for Researchers

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

Page 6: Historical Collections for Researchers

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

Page 7: Historical Collections for Researchers

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

Page 8: Historical Collections for Researchers

Full text online collections

Page 9: Historical Collections for Researchers

E-books as primary sources

Page 10: Historical Collections for Researchers

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

Page 11: Historical Collections for Researchers

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

Page 12: Historical Collections for Researchers

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)

Page 13: Historical Collections for Researchers

Pathways in archives

Page 14: Historical Collections for Researchers

Pathways and journeys

Local National

Diaries

Newspapers

Business records

Parish records

Police records

Page 15: Historical Collections for Researchers

Pathways and journeys

Page 16: Historical Collections for Researchers

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

Page 17: Historical Collections for Researchers

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

Page 18: Historical Collections for Researchers

Archival references: other terms

• Folio• Page• Quire• Recto and verso

Page 19: Historical Collections for Researchers

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

Page 20: Historical Collections for Researchers

Copyright

Page 21: Historical Collections for Researchers

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

Page 22: Historical Collections for Researchers

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/