We recently had the opportunity to attend the Society of Archivists’ conference in Manchester. With the title ‘We Are What We Keep’, the conference was a chance to explore and revisit concepts surrounding how and why records are preserved for posterity with engaging talks given by many eminent speakers. Particularly interesting was Terry Cook’s broad sweeping and philosophical paper concerning the past, present and future of archival theory. This talk really brought into focus the great responsibility we have at the National Maritime Museum to play our part in ensuring the survival of what is, in essence, our nation’s history and heritage.
 
The President of the Society of Archivists, now Archives and Records Association, outlined his past career as an archivist and the changes that he had observed over the decades. This had us both thinking of the archival legacy of the NMM and how our collection has come into being – a fascinating history in itself.

On a more personal level, the three days of talks reminded us both of why we had entered the archive profession and was certainly an uplifting experience. A heart-warming session was delivered by Jenny Wong discussing the hidden histories of the Manchester Chinese Archive.  Jenny’s talk, accompanied by Chinese dance and music, was a perfect demonstration of how archives can be used by a community to tell the story of a shared past. Perhaps the most thought provoking paper was Louise Ray’s ‘The Living Archive’: myth, reality or aspiration?’ This generated much debate and got us all thinking as it touched upon the questions of why and for whom do we keep an archive? Are the records we hold being used and for what purposes?

In a sense the records we hold encapsulate the lives of those who kept them; and these people are brought to life again through our researchers. Without these records it would be impossible for us to deliver any of the education sessions and public events that allow Museum visitors to explore the past. So much of that past is still visible through the chance survival of archives and, if we are what we keep, we must be very careful that what we keep is representative of everybody. Fortunately the profession has come a long way in recent decades and chance has been replaced by more systematic collecting policies. That said, at the Museum we still get a good number of kind offers from people wishing to donate fascinating manuscripts found in attics and boxes under beds. Who knows, perhaps one day the fact that two archivists were inspired by a conference in Manchester will be of interest to future generations!

Mike and Richard (Assistant Archivists)

Greenwich this Thursday is certainly the fashionable place to be as our archive journey session is Sailor Chic. Using rare, original manuscript and printed items from the Museum’s collections we’ll be exploring what sailors wore on ship; how they obtained their uniform and how much it cost. 

This is a great opportunity to view some of the less well known treasures at the National Maritime Museum. So, if you are planning a visit why not come along? The session will start at 2.30pm on Thursday 30 September and takes place in the E-Library.

Richard (Assistant Archivist)

If you are in Greenwich, or planning a day out, and you are either interested in naval history or would simply like to know more about the life that naval wives conducted in 1800, why not join my Archive Journey session on Thursday 23rd September at 14.30?

With the help of rare and precious manuscripts from the Museum’s Library and Manuscripts collections, I am going to lead you on a journey through original and valuable letters and engraved coins (including the example shown here, NMM MEC1651). By exploring bitter-sweet memories, you will have the extraordinary opportunity to discover and understand the role and the importance of naval wives who, remaining at home while their husbands were at sea, played a fundamental part in British naval history. So, join me on Thursday 23rd September at 14.30 in the E-Library.

Sonia (Information Assistant – Library)

September’s item of the month is a book focused on the sugar trade written by the Scottish historian John Campbell and first published in 1763.

The work is titled Candid and impartial considerations on the nature of the sugar trade; the comparative importance of the British and French Islands in the West-Indies: with the value and consequences of St. Lucia and Granada, truly stated: illustrated with copper plates [NMM Ref: PBF7499].

In his book, Campbell gives a brief introduction to the history of sugar and some remarkable observations on sugar commerce and the importance of promoting sugar’s consumption in England.

Sonia (Information Assistant – Library)

• Rasor maritime bibliography
  A genuinely comprehensive bibliography of maritime history by eminent historian Eugene Rasor, also responsible for the printed Seaforth Bibliography (2007). A remarkable free resource for all those with an interest in maritime history.
  (tags: maritime history research eresources merchantnavy royalnavy ships shipping)