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Question and answer about the dutch archives of the diocese of Rotterdam.



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.

> Mr. van Wieringen:
>
> 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
>
>  
>