In message <[log in to unmask]>, Beth Robertson
<[log in to unmask]> writes
>Dear friends,
>
>I need some help with my PhD topic. The main research to date has been
>undertaken in LOCAL HISTORY in the primary school, specifically the
>coverage of the discipline in curricula here in Australia. I plan to
>interview a range of age groups to ascertain when, where and how they
>acquired knowledge and understandings in their local and family history.
>I am interested in the role of the family in informal learning and the
>influence of family stories on people’s attitudes to their heritage and
>sense of place.
>
>A question- Do people who have lived in the one place all their lives [a
>small village for example] develop a stronger link to their own history
>[family and local] than those who have moved frequently? Or are there
>other influences? Do you know of any research in this area? [references
>??]
Speaking from my own experience of several local history societies in
Berkshire, the ones who develop the strongest interest in local history
tend to be those who have adopted the place as their home. Those who
have lived here all their lives do not seem to develop the same sense as
they have very little by way of a comparison, tend to take their own
experience for granted and see little virtue in a sense of place. Having
lived all over the world myself I believe you only develop a sense of
heritage when you are far away from your roots.
>
>Are family stories in childhood of significance in the development of
>positive attitudes to history [personal, family and local]?
I would think so.
>
>I am chasing my tail and need a more substantial ‘problem’ to
>investigate. Any ideas will be gratefully received. I’ve mulled over
>this too long. Do you know of any other research being done?
One of the key reasons for teaching local history in primaries is to
develop a sense of ones own heritage and an awareness of that part of
the world around which makes the greatest impact in ones formative
years. Chances are the theme will be picked up again only 40 or 50 years
later in life. One could look at the age structure of those who have an
interest in local history and see whether or not they were influenced in
their formative years either by family stories or by so type of local
history in primary school. My guess is that few under 50s have a real
interest in local history.
This of course brings up the question 'Are primary school teachers (who
are mainly well under 50) properly qualified either by personal interest
or training to teach local history. In my experience as a school
inspector I would think that around 60-80 percent are not and teach it
from a nicely assembled pack of generalised information without
realising that it does not apply to their locality.
As a for instance - you will find most packs dealing with mediaeval
villages talking about the church, the manor house, a three field
rotation system and a pre-ordained hierarchy in society. In practice few
villages meet this model - we for instance had three manors in one
parish using a two field system with meadow and upland pasture.
You could also look at family stories as a source of feud or whether
ethnic/family/cultural bonds were stronger than shared
experience/neighbour bonds.
Anyway good luck
--
John M Chapman
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