The Unquiet Librarian

I came across two items this morning that you might enjoy if you are into history, stories, or archives.

First, I stumbled across this wonderful Flickr collection entitled “Mom’s World” by Joey Harrison.  This collection chronicles his mother’s recollections (she provides most of the narratives) and photos of life in Grand Rapids, Michigan between the late 1940s —2007.  If you want to hear first-hand accounts of life from this time period, you must check out the photos and narratives…his mother is sharp as a tack!  What a wonderful way to preserve history for your family and the general public!  Fascinating stories, amazing photography—definitely something you will enjoy.

Secondly, the Atlanta Journal Constitution ran this story this morning about a historical collection of rare newspapers donated by Nell McGruder to the Atlanta History Center.  If you are interested in north Georgia history (particularly Cherokee County), this is a great story!  I only wish the Atlanta History Center had the money to digitize and upload the images of these rare newspapers to Flickr a la Library of Congress!  Perhaps they may eventually go to the Georgia Archives? 

While reading The English Patient in 2004 for a course with Dr. Mark Faust at UGA, Dr. Faust wisely observed that history is really a series of stories and accounts, not necessarily objective facts that are black and white.  I think primary sources such as these affirm that view.  It makes me a little sad to think that I never perceived “history” as story until I was a graduate student!  I think more people might take a interest in history and its study if they thought of it as story rather than a series of disconnected facts.

I hope you enjoy these resources!  Let me know what you think!

Here is a great initiative from the Georgia Archives if you haven’t heard about it yet—I am posting the original press release.  March 1 is the deadline to contribute; visit the Virtual Georgia for more detailed information! 

The Georgia Archives, a division of the Office of Secretary of State, has created a way for Georgians to help preserve the history of the state through a program called Virtual Georgia. Georgians, or anyone with photographs related to Georgia, may nominate pictures to be included in the archives permanent collection. Pictures are nominated by being uploaded to the Virtual Georgia website. The program is slated to last through March 1, 2008.

According to Secretary of State Karen Handel, Virtual Georgia is based on an earlier archives program called Vanishing Georgia. Between 1975 and 1986, archivists from the Georgia Archives traveled throughout the state and copied historically significant photographs held by individuals who wanted to share them with future generations. During the program, Vanishing Georgia preserved nearly 18,000 photographs. Now, said Secretary Handel, we want to use modern technology to accomplish the same thing.

The archives is looking for photographs that show Georgians in everyday life, said David Carmicheal, director of the Georgia Archives. We want images of family and business life, street scenes, architecture, agriculture, school and civic activities, important individuals and events in Georgia history, and even landscapes. In particular, we urge Georgia’s emerging ethnic communities to nominate images of their ceremonies and activities for inclusion in the archives.

Nominations can be uploaded using a simple form at www.GeorgiaArchives.org (click on “Virtual Georgia” in the margin). Archives staff will review all the uploaded images and select the ones that are most representative of Georgia’s varied culture and activities. Those will be added to the archives permanent collection.

Karen Handel was sworn in as Secretary of State in January 2007. The Secretary of State’s office offers important services to our business community, our government, and our citizens. These services include an efficient and secure election process, and the regulation of corporations, securities, and professional license holders. The Office also controls the state archives and the Capitol museum.

Virtual Georgia Contribution page

Virtual Georgia Collection Page, available in Virtual Vault