11 October 2011
Minutes of the Local Studies Librarians meeting, held at the McDermott Centre, Goulburn, 11th October 2011.
Attendees: Joan Ruthven (Woollahra); Geoff Potter (Gosford); Stephen Coppins (Holroyd); Andrew Allen (Campbelltown; Gail Dunn (Wollondilly); Leonie Gendle (Blacktown); Ellen Forsyth (State Library NSW); Angela Phippen (Ryde); John Johnson (Kogarah); Darren Ellis (Botany); Kimberly O’Sullivan (Waverley); Michelle Nichols (Hawkesbury); Leanne Webster (Kiama); Lynn Bonomini (Goulburn, STRL); Donna Braye (Mosman); Eileen Smith (Wollongong); Dr. Pennie Pemberton (ANU); Robyn Van Dyk (AWM); Tom Bryant (Local historian and author); Daphne Penalver (Goulburn Heritage Group). Apologies: Kirsten Broderick (Rockdale); Mark Butler (North Sydney); Vicki Munro (Woollahra).
Meeting commenced 10.30am.
1. Dr Pennie Pemberton, ANU Archives. Presentation on ANU Archives. ANU archives reading room is located in the R.G. Menzies building #2. ANU Archives currently consists of 18 linear kilometres of records, stored offsite in a former car park. Main archives groups are the ANU University Archives (started 2001); the Noel Butlin archives (started 1953) and the Pacific Archives. The home page for the Archive is at: http://www.archives.anu.edu.au/nbac/html/
The Noel Butlin archives grew out of interests of Noel Butlin and other economic historians who saw a need to preserve pastoral and other business records to support research by students. Additional archives from the Labour movement and Trade Unions followed in the 1960s. Major companies represented in the Archives include the Australian Agricultural Company; Colonial Sugar Refineries; Dalgety’s; Elders; Tooths, Australian Mutual Land & Finance. Trade Union records include: ACTU; MUA; CFMEU. Other record sets include the National Farmers Federation; Institute of Public Affairs; Friendly society records such as Manchester Unity (VIC.) and Grand United (NSW). Some related personal papers (including pamphlets and ephemera) are also held. The ANU archives also hold the HIV Aids Collection, starting from the first “Grim Reaper” advertisement onwards.
Pacific Research collections include research papers of ANU Pacific Scholars; CSR Fiji records; Burns Philp and Adelaide Steamship Company records.
ANU Archives are used by: ANU & other academics; 4th year postgraduate students; Heritage architects; members of the public for local and family history research. Some collections are “restricted”. All are non-lending, except to the owner for exhibitions, and copies are the preferred option where negotiable. High quality scanning of documents can be done (at a price). Digital camera use (non-flash) is allowed. Basic and legal searches are provided. A Professional researcher list is available for those wishing to employ a researcher.
Lists of holdings are online at: http://www.archives.anu.edu.au/nbac/html/listholdings.html Descriptive lists are available to file level. The Register of Australian Archives and Manuscripts (RAAM) are now available on Trove, unfortunately the numbers accompanying entries are randomly assigned, and have no connection or relevance to the retrieval of files in the ANU Archives. Online subject guides are available to assist researchers at: http://www.archives.anu.edu.au/nbac/html/subjectguides.html The Tooth “Yellow cards” records are useful for local history: http://www.archives.anu.edu.au/nbac/html/Tooth%20and%20Co%20Yello w%20Cards.html Tooths were Sydney Brewers. They kept files on Tooth hotels, Resch’s hotels, non-Tooth hotels, and free houses. At best, these files may include lots of information, photographs, maps, profit/loss data, mortgagee and licensee dates and details. Other files may contain comparatively little. Generally, the closer the ties of a hotel to Tooth, the more information will be available. Images of hotels can be searched for through the ANU digital collections at: https://digitalcollections.anu.edu.au/
Australian Agricultural Company was established by Royal Charter in 1824. ANU holds records from Maitland and London. Early land holdings were concentrated around the Peel River (Tamworth); Liverpool Plains; Port Stephens. Sheep and wool were the mainstays of the Company in early times. Later AAC took over coalmines in Newcastle. AAC was the only legal miner in NSW until monopoly was ended in the 1840s. To access the collections it is highly desirable for researchers to FIRST contact Butlin.archives@anu.edu.au to establish what may be available. Tell the archivists what you want, for what purpose, supply date ranges and locations required. Why do you think they can help? Photographs are gradually being digitised to facilitate access.
2. Robyn Van Dyk, Senior Curator Published and Digitised Records, Australian War Memorial Several new online collections are currently in development: Guide to indigenous service across all wars: in which Australia has been involved. Information available at individual participant level. Information not previously readily available. Files are being converted to digital format. Naval reports and proceedings: This record set, known as “Reports and proceedings, HMA ships and establishments – AWM 78” consists of 300,000 images. The records of 50 ships are currently online on AWM website at: http://www.awm.gov.au/collection/records/awm78/ These are events based records, with references to individuals comparatively rare. The hardcopy records have been among the most used of the AWM’s resources during war and peace. The last 20 years of records are closed to the public.
Anzacs Online: the object is to place private records collection online. This collection consists of many orphan works, and a fair amount of consideration and soul-searching has been required to establish the rights and wrongs of making these materials available. In many cases, the creators and their families are untraceable. Copyright exceptions are available under Section 200AB of the Copyright Act 1968: http://www.austlii.edu.au/au/legis/cth/consol_act/ca1968133/s200ab.html Diaries, concert and theatre programmes from WWI will be included. Hierarchical structures are difficult to replicate in a digital environment. As an aside, the AWM uses a museum objects database called mimsyXG: http://www.willo.com/mimsy_xg/default.asp The “Vegetables for Victory” display of a WW2 era vegetable garden was a great drawcard and publicity coup for the AWM during Canberra’s recent Floriade: http://www.floriadeaustralia.com/war-memorial
3. Tom Bryant – debunking a local myth/identifying an unknown writer Tom talked about how local myths and misunderstandings can begin, and then become “history” with repetition and lack of primary research. Tom spoke specifically about the myth of Joseph Peters and his “Woolpack Inn”. The Inn was supposed in local lore to be located at a property called “Marian Vale”, but detective work in primary sources by Tom and by archaeologists revealed a very different story. Tom’s talk also illustrated how such myths could easily be perpetuated by business interests, in the nature of heritage themed real estate developments. Tom published “Joseph Peters, His Woolpack Inn and the Marian Vale Myth” in 2010. ISBN 0957815662
Another interesting talk revolved around a photocopied diary, apparently belonging to a Goulburn district teacher from the 1880s. Much detective work was involved in piecing together the background and community connections of the teacher…whom they taught, families they came into contact with, place or property names mentioned etc. Eventually Tom identified the teacher as George Samuel Moore, who seemed a “black sheep” of his military family, and had come to Australia via Canada. The diary and the story of its writers’ identification is told in “The diary of a bush schoolteacher, George Samuel Moore 1880-1881” ISBN 0957815654
4. Daphne Penalver – extending the use of architect’s plans Goulburn Historical Society is lucky to hold a wonderful collection of 19th century local architect’s plans. Edmund C. Manfred, a well-respected practitioner was responsible for designing many notable Goulburn buildings, most of which stand today. Daphne described various ways in which additional research has value-added to the collection, and provided insights and raised questions about early Goulburn buildings. 5. General Meeting Local Studies Wiki and Ref-ex reminder: A Local Studies section of the RISG Wiki exists, and its use is encouraged. Authors are welcome! http://referenceandinformationservices.wikifoundry.com/page/Local+Studies
For anyone new to Local Studies and Family History, remember the modules on Ref-ex NSW site at: http://wiki.libraries.nsw.gov.au/index.php/Module_8 and http://wiki.libraries.nsw.gov.au/index.php/Module_9 respectively. Flickr “Eat History” site: Geoff Potter thanked John Meredith from Blue Mountains City Library for setting up the initial site at: http://www.flickr.com/groups/eat_history/
13 Members joined from across NSW to highlight wonderful food-themed images for History Week 2011. It was thought to be fairly successful being the Local Studies Librarians groups’ first attempt at a project of this nature. One minor drawback of the standard Flickr account was the inability to extract usage statistics. Remedies were discussed, and Michelle Nichols of Hawkesbury suggested the group start a Flickr Pro site for future photo galleries. A collection of $30.70 was taken from those present. This will finance the establishment of the Flickr Pro site named “Local Studies NSW” in the near future. It should be noted that the money collected is for a 1 year subscription, and that money will need to be collected each year to sustain the site. 2012 is the “National Year of Reading”, and it was felt appropriate that this theme might be developed throughout the year. 12 themes, or 1 per month could be promoted, e.g. Laugh! Incite: Local Studies articles are missing from Incite. Supply short 200-500 word articles strategically tailored to theme. Contact Gail Dunn gail.dunn@wollondilly.nsw.gov.au
Committee 2011-12: Donna Braye (Mosman) and Geoff Potter (Gosford) standing as Committee members again. Darren Ellis (Botany) will be standing. Welcome Darren! Further committee members are encouraged to join in. Future meeting topics: March 2012 Transport records: Trains, trams etc. Tentatively involves a field trip to ARHS archives in Redfern, and State Records at Globe Street. Another possible meeting topic for later in 2012 could be “The work of heritage”, discussing the roles and needs of heritage consultants and planners in relation to Local Studies Collections. Oral History workshops and free training: ABC Open is offering free Oral history training with professional researchers, in connection with various content creation projects. http://open.abc.net.au/about
Thanks to Lynn Bonomini and her volunteers for a great day and the lovely cakes from Crookwell!
Next meeting date (tentative): Early March 2012, details to be advised. Meeting closed 4pm