To survey and map Quaker archives and book collections held by archives and libraries in Yorkshire, and beyond, relating to the region
The types of collections covered by the project include: archives of the Society of Friends and other Quaker bodies, such as businesses, schools and charities; personal papers of individual Quakers and families; Quaker libraries and related book collections; finding aids; and selected non-Quaker sources. The project began by surveying the principal Quaker collections held by the project partners. These comprise records of Monthly Meetings for Brighouse, Knaresborough, Leeds, Settle, Thirsk, York, Malton, Scarborough, Pickering and Hull, and of Yorkshire Quarterly Meeting, the company archives of Rowntree & Co., social survey papers of Benjamin Seebohm Rowntree, the archives of the Retreat in York, and two large Quaker libraries, Leeds Friends Old Library and the Birkbeck Library. The second stage involved tracing the surviving archives of all other Yorkshire Quaker Meetings. Finally, nearly all archives, libraries and museums in Yorkshire were surveyed, along with several outside the region, such as the Library of the Society of Friends, to identify other types of collections. By spring 2002 work on Quaker Meeting archives, peace-related sources, business archives, school archives and all other holdings of the project partners was complete. Work on personal papers is still in progress.
To present the results in a web-based location register
Initially a template for collection descriptions was designed using ISAD(G) data elements and used to compile draft descriptions of Quaker Meeting archives.
The location register was created as a MS Access database in summer 2000, by adapting the model of the Artists’ Papers Register database. Collection descriptions were compiled from a variety of sources: the responses received to survey letters, archival catalogues, lists and online databases, data downloaded from the National Register of Archives, research visits and historical and biographical research. The database was then converted into SQL format and a web-based search interface developed using Allaire ColdFusion. This enables keyword searching as well as personal name, corporate name, place name, repository and collection type searches. An administration system was also created to allow regular updating and editing. The location register has been available online since December 2001 and contains around 500 entries.
To produce a published research guide
This is based on the types of collections identified by the location register and contains edited versions of the collection descriptions already available online. It is supplemented by contact details for relevant repositories, a brief bibliography and information about useful finding aids. It will be published this summer.
To initiate name indexing work on the Quaker archives held by Hull University Brynmor Jones Library
Indexing of around 60 volumes of Monthly Meeting minutes, membership registers and records of sufferings held by the Library has been undertaken by a team of volunteers and is now complete. The work was extended to include the Quaker archives held at the East Riding Archives Service, and the records of Thirsk and York Monthly Meetings held at Leeds University Library. This considerably extends the scope of the indexing and means that it will continue well after the end of the project.
To develop this index as a web-based database designed for family historians
A MS Access database was developed and inputting of name index data began in April 2000. After a substantial amount of data had been added, the database was converted into SQL format and a web-based search interface developed using Allaire ColdFusion. This has been available online since February 2002. It allows searching by first name and/or surname, and can be limited to specific Quaker Meetings. Searches will trace all historical variants of a specific surname. An administration system has also been created which allows for multiple editors to add data simultaneously; this work will continue after the end of the project, as there is currently a gap between the volumes indexed and the data input.
To develop a central website allowing access to these databases, as well as providing other online resources and a gateway to related sites
The website has been available since August 1999 but has been revised and extended as the project progressed, particularly following the development of online access to the project databases. Its other resources include: a list of Quaker Meetings in Yorkshire since the 1660s, a list of Yorkshire Quaker Meeting Houses and burial grounds, contact details for archives, libraries and museums holding significant relevant collections, summaries of the Quaker collections held by the project partners, links to online catalogues and finding aids, websites and sources of information, a register of research interests, and details of forthcoming events and talks by the project archivist.
To promote awareness of the collections and encourage increased use by a diverse range of researchers
Publicity material has been widely distributed to academics, research students, genealogists, local historians, local Friends and relevant societies. Four successful conferences were organised: a general introduction to researching Yorkshire Quaker history (Leeds University, 30 September 2000); researching the Quaker peace testimony (Hull University, 31 March 2001); researching Quaker involvement in industry and commerce (York University, 26 September 2001); and researching Quakers and women (Leeds University, 27 April 2002). The papers from the second, third and fourth of these will be published as special issues of the refereed journal Quaker Studies in 2002/2003. Numerous talks have been given to Quaker Meetings, family and local historical societies, the Friends Historical Society, the Quaker Family History Society and the Quaker Studies Research Association. Several articles about the project have been published, in journals such as the Library Association Record and The Local Historian. The project archivist also provided an enquiry service. In this way researchers of many different kinds have come into contact with the project and it has been particularly well supported by the Quaker community in Yorkshire, many of whom volunteered to undertake name indexing work. The Quaker Family History Society co-operated in organising the first project conference and a particularly fruitful relationship developed with the Quaker Studies Research Association.
To create a model for potential adoption by other regions
Interest has been expressed in developing similar projects in the north west and the north east. A short report on the experiences of running this project will be produced for future reference.
Hull University Brynmor Jones Library (lead institution)
Leeds University Library
York University, Borthwick Institute of Historical Research
Project Manager
Brian Dyson
University Archivist
Brynmor Jones Library
University of Hull
Hull HU6 7RX
Tel: 01482 465265
E-mail: b.dyson@hull.ac.uk
Project Archivist
Helen Roberts
Brynmor Jones Library
University of Hull
Hull HU6 7RX
Tel: 01482 465265
E-mail: h.e.roberts@hull.ac.uk
http://www.hull.ac.uk/lib/archives/quaker
[choose 'Online databases' to reach the location register and the name index database]
Content: Gill Davenport
Last updated 6 October 2003