Day 139: ...back to the archives.
It was back to the Archives this afternoon, I expect only my most dedicated dear reader will continue on from here. This is one for history wonks really.
You will recall from a couple of days ago I've been wondering about what I might do as far as this project goes...there is a lot of material...it may be a research garden path from whence I shan't return (or at least stay on the path for a long time).
After consulting on the weekend with colleagues about the possibilities I came to the Archives today with a view to putting some high fences around the planned work. I thought I should consult one of the senior archivists too, to gauge her professional opinion.
Of course, as with much of the research we get to do, it can be a case of heart over head, mind over matter. I think this project will fall into the 'gee, just go for it and see what's there'; at least, that was the view of the archivist. I sense they see it as a bit of a public duty to see what is in all these bundles of letters I'm uncovering...
And there were a couple of magic moments today. Notices (in Japanese) from Consul Furuzawa about the status of Japanese in Australia; a note written in his own hand by Torajiro Satow, probably one of the key merchants and agitators on Thursday Island in the 1890s, about whom I have read much; and tables of data furnished by the representative on Thursday Island, John Douglas. This is after getting through just one half of one bundle of perhaps 120 such materials...
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| Notice from Furuzawa |
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| Page 2 |
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| Satow's letter page 1 |
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| 'Example of a table: return of Japanese agricultural laborers' |
Every page is revelation. Really, what else am I to do?
[Camera : Canon PowerShot A490, 3.00-4.30pm (yes, I found an old compact camera)]
