This online research guide provides instruction on reading, understanding and researching a range of archival diaries available for research at the Glucksman Library.
This resource is designed to assist students and researchers at all levels with their research. It is based on three diaries held in the University of Limerick‘s Special Collections and Archives Department. Using these diaries as working examples, it aims to build basic archival and information literacy, and outline useful historical research methods. Its five lessons offer both a broad introduction to the work of the Special Collections and Archives Department and its collections, as well as specific research advice relating to historic research methods, the consultation of archival diaries as sources for social history, and guidance relating to the reading and transcription of archival sources.
Click on the ‘Opening a window to the past’ logo on each page to return to the homepage at any time.
This project is a collaboration between the Special Collections and Archives Department at the Glucksman Library and UL’s Department of History. It was funded by the National Forum for Teaching and Learning in Higher Education and launched in 2021. Read more about the project here.
Kirsten Mulrennan and Rachel Murphy, 'Opening a window to the past: Researching archival diaries', University of Limerick Special Collections and Archives Department website (https://specialcollections.ul.ie/research-diaries/) (Date accessed).
Structure
The main body of the resource is divided into five key lessons, supplemented with digitised diaries and reading lists
Lessons can be read sequentially or as stand-alone guides to individual topics, depending on area of interest
The lessons are designed for students at all levels, and increase in difficulty as you progress
Keep an eye out for the 'Did you know?' icon for more research hints and tips as you progress
Test your knowledge as you progress with optional quizzes and interactive document analysis
Learn as you play our interactive 'Escape Room' game, using clues from real archival diaries
Key lessons
Level 1: Introduction to historical and archival research
Level 2: Archival diaries in depth
Key diaries: collection context and archival biographies
Key diaries: full digital copies available through UL Digital Library
scan: diary 1
Massy's digitised diary, entries recorded 1839–1842
scan: diary 2
Blennerhassett's digitised diary, entries recorded 1861–1865
scan: diary 3
Armstrong's digitised diary, entries recorded 1914
Key diary samples: interactive document analysis
sample: diary 1
Sample of Massy's diary
sample: diary 2
Sample of Blennerhassett's diary
sample: diary 3
Sample of Armstrong's diary
Discovering archival diaries: interactive game
This ‘escape-room’ style game brings archival diaries to life in a fun and interactive way. Solve all five puzzles to win!
While gathering clues and evidence based on the three digitised diaries used throughout this resource, test some of the research skills you have learned, in particular reading and understanding different forms of handwriting.
You must be logged in to post a comment.