| |
Primary Sources: Archives
|
Where do you turn for information about local archives? |
|
| Rich sources can be found in Bay Area archives. They include personal
papers of scientists, institutional archives, and oral histories. Some
of the best 101 theses define projects around local materials that speak
to larger historical issues. Some archives also have special collections
of related print materials.
Archival materials can be complicated to access. One-of-a-kind documents
must be used on site; archival materials generally do not circulate. To
protect them, archives put in place special procedures. The materials can
be hard to describe succinctly, so catalog records may be incomplete or
confusing. But archivists are specialists in helping you find material.
After doing background research on your own, always ask for guidance
from the reference staff ó before visiting the archive if possible, and
again once you are there. The effort pays off. |
|
|
UC Berkeley: Bancroft Library |
|
| Along with its rare books, the Bancroft Library holds an unequalled
collection of manuscript materials. Many 101 theses have been built around
its resources.
History
of Science and Technology Program (HSTP)
http://bancroft.berkeley.edu/collections/hstp.html
A key resource. Archivally strong in 19th- and 20th-century science
in California, especially UC faculty and research institutes. Recent collecting
effort in biosciences and biotechnology. Also earlier manuscript collections,
especially Rudjer Boscovich, Pierre-Simon Laplace, Tycho Brahe, and the
Accademia del Cimento. Inquire with David
Farrell, Curator.
Searching HSTP via GLADIS
full-feature search: Search on "history of science and technology collection"
as ut (uniform title), together with some other selection criterion (date
range, keyword) to cut the dataset down to size. For deposits of faculty
materials only, search on "faculty papers" as su (subject); this will pull
up all Berkeley faculty collections (science or not).
University
Archives
http://bancroft.berkeley.edu/collections/uarc.html
University history, particularly records from the Office of the Chancellor
and Office of the President, also individual departments and programs.
Coverage sometimes spotty. Search through the Online Archive of California
(OAC, see below). Inquire with Bill
Roberts, University Archivist, or David
Farrell, Associate University Archivist.
Regional Oral History Office
http://bancroft.berkeley.edu/ROHO/
Subject Lists
of Oral Histories
http://bancroft.berkeley.edu/ROHO/subject.html
Information in ROHO's extended interviews (sometimes hundreds of pages
long) reaches back into the late 19th century. Along with history
of science, technology, and medicine, strong in mining, viticulture, forestry,
and university history.
Bancroft Library general
information: access, hours, etc.
http://bancroft.berkeley.edu/
A word to the wise: collection records in the Bancroft sometimes read
"unprocessed, unavailable for use." Always ask the archivist in charge
if you can use it anyways. Often you can. |
|
|
UC Berkeley: Office for History of Science and
Technology |
|
Archive for History of Quantum Physics
Inquire with Margaret
Olney in OHST (543 Stephens
Hall) about access.
Large collection of microfilms of papers, manuscripts, and other materials
of early 20th-century physicists. Sometimes accompanied by interviews. |
|
|
|
|
UC San Francisco Archives
and Special Collections
http://www.library.ucsf.edu/sc/
A base for 101 theses on medicine and biomedical research. UCSF archives,
personal papers of local physicians and researchers, Bay Area professional
associations, hospitals, and other medical institutions; medical fields
including tobacco control and AIDS history. Also East Asian materials,
with a strength in Western medicine in Japan before 1900. Special Collections
hosts rare print materials.
UC Davis Special
Collections
http://www.lib.ucdavis.edu/specol/index.html
In line with Davis's agricultural specialization, much on the history
of the agricultural sciences (entomology, plant science, etc.). Also UCD
archives.
Stanford Department
of Special Collections and University Archives
http://www-sul.stanford.edu/depts/spc/spc.html
History
of Science and Technology Collection
http://www-sul.stanford.edu/depts/hasrg/histsci/scihome.html
Strong collections include university history, Silicon Valley, Isaac
Newton, and Athanasius Kircher. The curator, Henry
Lowood, completed his doctoral studies in the Berkeley history department.
Services
for the public at NARA's Pacific Region (San Francisco)
http://www.archives.gov/facilities/ca/san_francisco/public_services.html
Records
for the study of science, technology, natural resources and the environment
http://www.archives.gov/facilities/ca/san_francisco/science_reference_paper.html
The local branch of the National Archives, located in San Bruno (south
of San Francisco). Federal agency and judiciary materials from the 1850s
to the 1980s, mostly from Northern California, Nevada, and the Pacific
islands.
California State
Archives
http://www.ss.ca.gov/archives/archives.htm
Records of state agencies (e.g., Department of Agriculture, Poultry
Improvement Commission, state mental hospitals). Located in Sacramento.
Finding aids best searched through OAC (see below). |
|
|
|
|
Online Archive
of California (OAC)
http://www.oac.cdlib.org/
Electronic finding aids for a large number of California institutions.
Not comprehensive, but the place to start. Includes UC campuses, California
State Archives, Stanford University, NASA Ames, etc. Always inquire with
the local archivist for more information.
Guide to sources in northern California for history of science and
technology (1985)
Put out by the Office for History
for Science and Technology, available there and in the Bancroft Library.
Presently being updated for an online version
Interested in participating? Contact Cathryn
Carson or David Farrell?
Repositories
of Primary Sources
http://www.uidaho.edu/special-collections/west.html#usca
See what else is out there in the state of California (or let your
fancy run with archives everywhere).
Archives
and Collections for History of Science
http://www.hssonline.org/teach_res/resources/mf_resources.html
Across the country and around the world. |
|
|
| |
|
Updated: August 2002 |
| Copyright © Department of History, UC Berkeley,
2002 |
|
|