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Hi, In cases where it is relevant we actually specifically highlight the term: Letter from John Black to his mother. References include, “the niggers are cutting wood… they are a queer lot you have got to keep your eye on them…”, 13th March 1903 I don’t know that I’d bother to highlight a medical term (although I do remember being appalled at a teacher describing a girl as “a cretin” before realising that that was in fact a medical term at that time), but in cases like the above I think it’s important that people can find examples of racism, sexism, or whatever. Although on second thoughts it is also interesting how medical terms become insults, then are superseded. Regards, Jackie Davenport, Archives Officer Argyll and Bute Council 01546 604774 [log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]> www.argyll-bute.gov.uk<http://www.argyll-bute.gov.uk> Realising our potential together From: Archivists, conservators and records managers. [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Matthew McMurray Sent: 28 June 2017 09:51 To: [log in to unmask] Subject: Re: Use of terms which have become offensive. Dear Michael This question has come up several times on the List serve, though in most cases I think people have replied off list. Words used to describe people at particular periods is a difficult subject for archivist, but despite pressure from elsewhere we should not deny history as that is a sure fire way to forget and repeat it. These words need to be taken in their historical context. Here we always use the original file titles and if alternative words are needed in the description or as keywords to allow searching by modern phrases then that is probably the way to go. Some people use quotation marks, ad it you are comfortable with that then that is probably the route for you, but please don’t ever remove words because you think they might cause offence today. Very best wishes Matthew Matthew McMurray BA(Hons) MA MLitt Archivist Royal Voluntary Service Archive & Heritage Collection Unit 1a Bath Road Business Centre Bath Road Devizes SN10 1XA Telephone: 01380 730211 Mobile:07714 898569 e-mail: [log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]> Twitter: @rvsarchives Facebook: facebook.com/rvsarchives From: Archivists, conservators and records managers. [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Michael Kelliher Sent: 28 June 2017 09:42 To: [log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]> Subject: Use of terms which have become offensive. Dear All, I was wondering what would be best practice when it comes to the use of terms which are now considered offensive. I am currently cataloguing correspondence with an organisation which used a medical term in its title but which later became pejorative. What best practice to include this word in title, with or without inverted commas? Would it be better to use an alternative title which uses the modern title and then include the old title of the organisation within the scope and content? Regards, Michael Kelliher, Contract Archivist Officer, Sisters of Our Lady of Apostles, Province of Ireland, Ardfoyle Convent, Ardfoyle Avenue, Ballintemple, Cork. Contact the list owner for assistance at [log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]> For information about joining, leaving and suspending mail (eg during a holiday) see the list website at https://www.jiscmail.ac.uk/cgi-bin/webadmin?A0=archives-nra [http://www.royalvoluntaryservice.org.uk/Uploads/Images/email_sign_off/email_footer.JPG]<www.royalvoluntaryservice.org.uk/efooter> Contact the list owner for assistance at [log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]> For information about joining, leaving and suspending mail (eg during a holiday) see the list website at https://www.jiscmail.ac.uk/cgi-bin/webadmin?A0=archives-nra ________________________________ Argyll and Bute Council classify the sensitivity of emails according to the Government Security Classifications. Privileged/Confidential Information may be contained in this message. If you are not the addressee indicated in this message (or responsible for delivery of the message to such person), you may not disclose, copy or deliver this message to anyone and any action taken or omitted to be taken in reliance on it, is prohibited and may be unlawful. In such case, you should destroy this message and kindly notify the sender by reply email. Opinions, conclusions and other information in this message that do not relate to the official business of Argyll and Bute Council shall be understood as neither given nor endorsed by it. All communications sent to or from Argyll and Bute Council may be subject to recording and/or monitoring in accordance with relevant legislation. This email has been scanned for viruses, vandals and malicious content. Contact the list owner for assistance at [log in to unmask] For information about joining, leaving and suspending mail (eg during a holiday) see the list website at https://www.jiscmail.ac.uk/cgi-bin/webadmin?A0=archives-nra