Thread by @MelCityofLit

My start-up process to writing a new narrative, besides drinking the stellar coffee of Melbourne, requires some form of inspiration.

But what if Clio, the muse of history, is busy when I have a deadline fast approaching?

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Well, I’m going to start by visiting one of my favourite archives-the Australian Joint Copying Project.

Hosted by @nlagovau this collection contains documents from Australia, New Zealand Aotearoa, various Pacific Islands, Germany & Britain 1560-1984.
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This collection is immense. The original microfilms were recently digitised and, thanks to the NLA team, of a better visual standard.

Really the creation of this collection is a story in itself...

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If you want to write about European’s in the past, especially Imperial history, you’ll find it in the PROV stream. The Admiralty records are particularly good for understanding how trade and scientific mindsets functioned during the 1800s...

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Personally, I favour using the Miscellaneous series items.

The stories are richer here. There is a chaotic diversity that I adore.

Pro-tip: this open access archive is relatively to access from home, but is best done from a tablet or PC..

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This @nlagovau M-series list and finding aid demonstrates the wide range of materials available to researchers, including documents and images from churches, universities, and personal archives, nla.gov.au/australian-joi…

I use M-Series, specifically the London Missionary Society records, to gain inspiration and evidence about the types of relationships that existed between British and then Australian settlers in Papua from 1874 onwards...

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With photographs of the landscape and people in Papua at this time, the AJCP is more than a series of letters and missionary reports. It offers a way for me to illustrate Australia’s shared past with Pacific Islanders nla.gov.au/nla.obj-273928…

One of the best narrative threads in this archive concerns the life of Geua. A strong-willed Motuan woman, who was named the PM of Papua by missionaries as a nod to her political connections and ambitions.

Of course, she demanded my attention...

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Quite an achievement in an archive that does its best to silence her.

You can see an image of Geua below, seated in the middle, here: nla.gov.au/nla.obj-273929…

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Hey @threadreaderapp unroll please