I am a
churchhistorian, and member of the committee archives of the Dutch
diocese of Rotterdam. In this committee are several archivists and one historian (that is me, but I am also started with a academical course in archivistics). And we don't agree with eachother about a reform of the archives in the diocese of Rotterdam. The problem lies in the conservation of the archives in the parishes (about 200). Most parishes haven't updated their archives, sothat within some years there will be great problems for the existence of the archives of the parishes. In the committee of the diocese the archivists want to appoint a new archivist just only for the parishes. And there is a list, that should be taken by him as an example for all the parishes to renew and update the archives. As an historian I resist against this view. I don't mind, if there is another archivist, but I think the first principle to make people in the parish enthusiastic about there archives is to give them more pleasure in the study of their own history. So you must give a special interest in Dutch churchhistory, and when people get interested you must inspire them to order their archives. And they don't need to use their special list, the only question is if they order the archives is their way. Are there ideas about this difference in view? Are there perhaps churchhistorians and archivists, who have experience with these things? Would you like to react, then? John van Wieringen, jvwie@wanadoo.nl Mrs Lisa May,
I mean all the documents. So not only the registers for baptism etc.. And
the fact, that Holland used to be a protestant nation after 1578, the oldest
parishes are from that time. But most of the parishes are founded in de period
of 1920-1930.
John van Wieringen.
----- Original Message -----
From: "May, Lisa" <lmay@diogh.org>
To: "'John van Wieringen'" <jvwie@WANADOO.NL>
Sent: Monday, November 05, 2001 4:46 PM
Subject: RE: The Dutch archives of the diocese of Rotterdam in
Holland. > > when you write about parish archives, do you mean sacramental records > (baptism and marriage), or other records? And when you say there is a > suggestion to appoint an archivist for the parishes, does that mean this > person would collect parish records into an archives? or just help the > parishes to organize their records? Some (Catholic) dioceses in the United > States have begun working with parish historians, to help them develop that > excitement & interest in their own histories, which you mention. > > Lisa May > Archivist > Diocese of Galveston-Houston > > > |