Gerassimos Pagratis, Archival Research and "Exploration" in the Island of Corfu
Archival research training
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Transcript of Archival research training
Conducting Archival Research15th November 2013
From Poland to Waltham Forest
Introductions
Esther Freeman, Project Director
Jane Greenstock, Research Manager
Round the room- name, experience in archives
Sessions we will cover
What is an archive? Materials we can find there
Planning research projects, searching and finding in an archive, understanding, analysing and critiquing sources
Quick history of Polish immigration to London/UK
Preparing to visit an archive
Buddying system and signing up
Blogging about archive visits
Icebreaker
An interesting fact about you or your family
What is an archive?
A collection of primary materials
A place where materials are stored
Multiple collections within one repository
What is an archive?
Different from a library but there are overlaps
where storage meets dreams, and the rest is history. (Robert Connors 1992)
Designed to preserve historical materials and make them available for use
Special status of materials is why they have particular procedures in place to protect them
Types of materials in archives
What kind of materials do you think will be in archives?
Types of materials
Examples of archival materials
Photograph of Lebus employees
A Lebus party invite
A Lebus catalogue
Types of archives
College and university archives
Government archives- central, local
Corporate archives
Historical societies
Museums
Special collections
Religious archives
Terminology
A useful guide to archival terminology has been produced by the Society for American Archivists: this can be found at http://www2.archivists.org/glossary/terms/aor
http://files.archivists.org/pubs/free/SAA-Glossary-2005.pdf
Planning your research
General advice:Begin with formulating broad research question
Background reading
Think about archival material you might be interested in
Planning your research
You may not know what will be there until you arrive
Detective work
Communication with archivists
Archivists
Are potentially your best ally in your research
Know archives as a whole
May provide suggestions of where to go next
Searching and finding material
Role of the internet
Finding aids
Catalogue descriptions
Internet catalogues
Some archives will make their catalogues searchable online e.g. National Archives
Archives Hub archiveshub.ac.uk
World Cat worldcat.org
Aim25 aim25.ac.uk/
Can point you towards archive you hadn't heard of/ considered.
Finding aids
Documents prepared by archivists that informs researchers about a collection
Who, why and how they were created
Discusses collection as a whole
Sometimes available on the internet, otherwise you will need to contact archives to get hold of it.
Catalogue records/archive descriptions
Reference number
Collection title
Dates
Extent
Summary/Abstract/Description
Administrative/biographical detail
Example of a catalogue page
Lebus archive, V&A Museum of Childhood
Understanding/
interrogating sources
Critiquing a source- who produced it and why
Not always done with preservation in mind
Official documents (e.g. ship's logs) have certain implicit trustworthiness
Where does it fit in context with rest of collection?
Polish migration to London
Different waves of Polish people have come to the UK and London specifically for different reasons
16th-17th century: Polish Protestants seeking refuge during Counter Reformation
End of 18th century political disintegration of Polish state.
Polish migration to London
19th century Increase in migration- 1867 the first Polish chapel and Polish centre were established in London
Began to see more 'ordinary people' arriving following expulsion of ethnic Poles from Prussia
Polish Roman Catholic Mission founded in London in 1894.
Polish migration to London
Between WW1 and WW2 drop in numbers arriving but Polish community in London grew stronger as many could not return
Prisoner of war camps in Alexandra Palace and Feltham
Second world war new chapter in Polish migration history
Britain agreed to host Polish government-in-exile and Polish troops played key part in defending Britain
Polish migration to London
End of Second World war- ex-Polish soldiers & families + displaced labour camp prisoners from Europe permitted to settle in UK
Rapid growth of historically-established Polish community
1950s-1989- numbers were small , mainly families of those already settled.
Polish migration to London
Fall of Communist system in 1989 regained freedom of travel
Recession in Poland mid 1990s
Becoming established 'business persons' due to 1991 EU rules
2004- UK opens its labour market to nationals of A8 countries
Polish migration to London
End of 2007 migration on much bigger scale than earlier waves
Significant numbers travel to UK
Decelerating since end of 2007
New community has own boundaries and practices.
See these short films for more
Planning a visit to the archive
Make contact/an appointment. Consider opening hours.
Check travel and accommodation options if travelling far
Review guidelines for reviewing material (dirty hands limits on time)
Check internet access
Planning a visit to an archive
Check if you need a readers ticket or to register
Pencils will probably be needed or see if laptops or tables are permitted and have access to sockets
Removal of coats and bags (lockers) and no food drink or gum
Planning a visit to the archive
Request forms may need to be filled out
Gloves?
Lights on electronic devices
Careful handling and maintaining order
Copyright, restriction and legal issues
Bring appropriate supplies
Planning a visit to an archive
Prepare for the unexpected, allow extra time/ repeat visits if necessary
Prioritise your requests
Adapt your workflow to policies of archive
Take thorough citations
Point out corrections
Connect with other researchers.