Hidden Gems of Information - Archives for Writers
Do you need to know what a street looked like 50 years ago, or find out what it was really like to be in the trenches in the great war? Or maybe you want to read letters or diaries or newspapers from a day in history? If you are writing historical fiction, then research is vitally important - there is nothing that wrecks a writer's credibility faster than inaccurate information. Historical sources can also add depth and authenticity to your writing. For the fiction writer and researcher, knowing where to find this information is invaluable.
Today's blog focusses on a few free-to-use resources. Most of them include primary sources (that is original documents, artifacts and first-hand evidence) that have been digitized and made available online.
It is important to bear in mind that primary information sources will reflect views and attitudes of the time, which may be offensive to some. They will also contain opinion and bias and should always be interpreted within a wider context.
A Google search will find many of these archives, but in most instances, it will not search their contents, which means you have to look for information on each archive. They're worth the effort though, as they are a veritable treasure trove.
Broadcasting History
Over the years, the BBC has interviewed a range of their staff about their time working for the corporation. These Oral Histories (recording and preserving people's memories, opinions, and personal experiences to expand historical records beyond traditional written sources.) were digitized through a project that I had the privilege of working on: The Connected Histories of the BBC. When it was launched, it included 431 interviews with a range of people who worked for the BBC. You can watch / listen to the interviews, read the transcripts and search for information on specific topics. They cover a range of historical events, broadcasting history and social commentary.
Some of my favourite Gems are David Attenborough describing how Clarissa Attlee mascaraed Clement Attlee's moustache to make him look better on camera. More chilling was Robin Duff's description of the heat from Ghandi's funeral pyre.
Similarly, the British Entertainment History Project provides access to a collection of interviews from professionals within the film, television, radio and theatre industries.
Oral Histories are an invaluable source, providing eyewitness accounts of events.
Criminal History
The Proceedings of the Old Bailey 1674-1913 is a 'fully searchable edition of the largest body of texts detailing the lives of non-elite people ever published, containing 197,752 trials held at London's central criminal court, and 475 Ordinary's Accounts of the lives of executed convicts.' One of the most interesting ways of exploring these records is through the Macroscope, or graphic representation of the data found here. By adjusting the filters, you can see on the graph offenses committed by women for example, and then explore the trial transcripts.
The collection allows you to see what crimes were committed, and what the punishments were at the time, such as being sent to prison for stealing a loaf of bread.
Project Gutenberg
Project Gutenberg is a library of over 75,000 free eBooks. You can among free epub and Kindle eBooks, download them or read them online. You will find the world's great literature here, with focus on older works for which U.S. copyright has expired. Thousands of volunteers digitized and diligently proofread the eBooks, for you to enjoy.
A huge range of books can be found here, including many historical texts.
Biodiversity Data
For nature Buffs, there is the NBN Atlas, which is a record of data on a range of wildlife. You can explore the collection by type of animal, or location or using a map view. It pulls in information from a number of different sources and counts. If you want to see which creatures have been spotted in your area, try the search. Of Course, as a writer, it allows you to accurately describe the flora and fauna in an area you are writing about.
Many museums and libraries make large parts of their collections available online:
- The National Archives provides online access to documents relating to WW1 and WW2, Navy history, Wills and Death Duties, Migration, Social and Cultural History, Medieval and Modern History; Intelligence Services, and even UFOs.
- The British Library has digitized large parts of its collection, which includes some very rare texts, including the Magna Carta, beautifully illustrated medieval manuscripts, handwritten poems and lyrics, In their online collection, you can see Christina Rossetti's hand-written poetry.
Newspaper Archives
The British Newspaper Archive makes a large range of newspapers, dating as far back as the 1700s available online. They have both a free and subscription service. This is great if you have a character reading a newspaper on a particular date, and you want to be accurate in mentioning the headlines or articles that would have been the topic of conversation.
Medical and health archives
The Wellcome Collection provides a wide range of images, artworks, videos and other and primary sources related to health information. The collection also includes wider topics, like song sheets. Images on certain topics have been grouped for easy browsing, and these include Magic, Childbirth, AIDS and Opium.
Historical Maps
PRONI makes available digital versions of Ordinance survey maps. If you want to use this source, make sure you read the search instructions, so you know how to see a place over a period of time. It's a great way to see places through time.
Black Cultural Archives
This archive aims to collect, preserve, and celebrate the histories of people of African and Caribbean descent in the UK and to inspire and give strength to individuals, communities, and society. Their collection can be searched online, and if you select results that are from the Record Type 'digital collections' you will find resources you can access online.
Holocaust
The United States Holocaust Encyclopaedia provides online access to oral histories from those who lived through the Holocaust. These first hand stories provide a chilling record of events. George Santayana said "Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it" Speakers at the anniversary of the 2024 International Holocaust Remembrance Day Commemoration spoke of how the rise of right wing sentiments around the world now feels like it did before the start of the Second World War.
It is a deeply chilling note to end on, but it does highlight how important it is to have records from the past, that are freely available.
If these whet your appetite, the University of Westminster has a list of other archives available to search.