As some one who is now most of the way to producing a Ph D thesis, but came
to my specific subject via local history, I can see that there is
considerable room for marshalling the resources of local historians to
collect information under the guidance of academics. Typically retired
professionals have a lot of time on their hands and are very willing to
spend a lot of time in a local Record Office, but often lack the background
in economic and social history to recognise that what they have found in the
course of their local research is significant or how it fits into the wider
picture. On the other hand academic historians are very good on the wider
picture, but do not have the time to go into the fine detail.
Though I may be wrong, I gain the impression that some of the data for
Wrigley & Schofield's massive compilation estimating the English population
was carried out on with volunteers doing some of the basic data collection.
Evidently some one is doing something similar with Captain Swing riots.
However there must be a lot of subjects that can usefully be tackled by a
series of local historians in different parts of the country undertaking
co-ordinated studies. However it needs some one to co-ordinate them and
write up the results.
May be a list such as this one could operate as a forum by which such
projects could be advertised and volunteers collected.
Peter King
----- Original Message -----
From: David Alan Gatley <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: 21 December 2001 10:44
Subject: Re: 1901 census
> I know the PRO consulted academic historians.
>
> But this ignores the fact that most local history is almost certainly
> done by retired educated (professionals) amateurs often with little or
> no training in historical methods e.g. doctors, lawyers, teachers, etc..
>
> Also I wonder how well local historians are organised. I'm a solitary
> chap myself but I guess most local historians are interested only in
> small communities and therefore don't mix. Although most do a really
> great job.
>
> Organisation may not be that easy. Or, am I wrong.
>
> Got to dash
>
> Merry x-mas and a happy new year.
>
> David
>
>
>
> On Fri, 21 Dec 2001 05:27:25 EST [log in to unmask] wrote:
>
> # Further to "it is a great pity that local historians did not get in on
the
> # act at an early stage....", they did and still are.
> # There is a continuting consultation process at the PRO on access to and
use
> # of the 1901 census material, and packages suitable for local/social
> # historians rather than family historians are under active discussion.
> # Representatives attend from University of Essex and the British
Association
> # for Local History.
> # Jane Howells
>
> ---------------------------------
> David Alan Gatley (Dr),
> School of Humanities and Social Sciences,
> Staffordshire University,
> Stoke-on-Trent,
> ST4 2XW
>
> Telephone 01782-294780 (Office)
> 01782-415340 (Home)
> Fax 01782-294760
>
> http://www.staffs.ac.uk/sociology
> http://www.staffs.ac.uk/census
> -------------------------------
> Please note: The views expressed in this message are those of its
> author, and not necessarily those of Staffordshire University.
>
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