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Re: History....and we all know Archivists are NOT historians



I completely agree with you regarding the number of people in general who
prefer to do research with secondary resources. While they can aid in your
research via arguments, the material can be even more biased than the
original primaries in many cases. I was very proud of my senior thesis paper
for that reason, I did a lot of reading on my topic and on the history of
the area, but relied on the primary resources available to me to write the
paper for the most part. Some parts I was unable to use primaries for due to
time constraints in the semester.

Kristin Torgerson
Historic Saint Mary's City, MD


----- Original Message -----
From: Bunker, Kevin <kbunker@SS.CA.GOV>
To: <ARCHIVES@LISTSERV.MUOHIO.EDU>
Sent: Monday, July 03, 2000 3:48 PM
Subject: Re: History....and we all know Archivists are NOT historians


> Dear colleagues:
>
> I may not end up becoming an archivist (being more into the 3-dimensional,
> bigger chunks of history, via Historic Preservation) but lemme' tell ya,'
> even the pulling from stacks and putting away of precious documents like
> California's earliest legislative bills, Californio disuenos maps of the
> 1840s and '50s, or the highly artful preliminary drawings for the State
> House (circa mid-1860s) is sometimes cause for gooseflesh! This feeling of
> privelege is only intensified as the Golden State is in the midst of its
> Sesquicentennnial anniversary.
>
> So much has changed in this massive state, but in handling the
collections,
> one can get the most profound sense of connection to our amazing past and
> political history.
>
> Although I had learned a long time back the inestimable value of primary
> source materials, I am still amazed at people (and students) who want to
> perform "research" using secondary and lesser resources!  I,for one, will
> never again waste much time seeking out books for reference and research,
> unless the title is rare or ancient.
>
> Viva la "big dig" for quality research! And Joyous Independence Day to
all!
>
> Kevin (where are all the Archives patrons today?!) Bunker
> Student Assistant
> California State Archives
> > ----------
> > From:         Cheryl Morrison[SMTP:sherrym@CITYTEL.NET]
> > Reply To:     Archives & Archivists
> > Sent:         Monday, July 03, 2000 11:01 AM
> > To:   ARCHIVES@LISTSERV.MUOHIO.EDU
> > Subject:      Re: History....and we all know Archivists are NOT
historians
> >
> > >Well you're not alone. I went in to archivy for the same reasons. I
LOVE
> > >HISTORY. (and I don't think that is heresy) I wanted to touch, hold,
> > fondle
> > >and immerse myself in original material.
> >
> > The first time I held an eighteenth century letter in my hands, I knew
I'd
> > come home!  There is just something about working with original
documents
> > that can not be had from any other source.  Becoming familiar with a
> > person's writing style, you can "see" when that person is anxious,
> > hurried,
> > relaxed, etc. from how the letters and words are formed (something which
> > will be lost to the next generation of archivists who process emails!).
> > Anyway, add me to the growing list of those who went into archives
because
> > they love history.
> >
> > Cheryl Morrison
> >
> > A posting from the Archives & Archivists LISTSERV List!
> >
> > To subscribe or unsubscribe, send e-mail to listserv@listserv.muohio.edu
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> >
> > Or to do *anything* (and enjoy doing it!), use the web interface at
> >      http://listserv.muohio.edu/archives/archives.html
> >
> > Problems?  Send e-mail to Robert F Schmidt <rschmidt@lib.muohio.edu>
> >
>
> A posting from the Archives & Archivists LISTSERV List!
>
> To subscribe or unsubscribe, send e-mail to listserv@listserv.muohio.edu
>       In body of message:  SUB ARCHIVES firstname lastname
>                     *or*:  UNSUB ARCHIVES
> To post a message, send e-mail to archives@listserv.muohio.edu
>
> Or to do *anything* (and enjoy doing it!), use the web interface at
>      http://listserv.muohio.edu/archives/archives.html
>
> Problems?  Send e-mail to Robert F Schmidt <rschmidt@lib.muohio.edu>

A posting from the Archives & Archivists LISTSERV List!

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Problems?  Send e-mail to Robert F Schmidt <rschmidt@lib.muohio.edu>