Greetings,
Are you ready??....remember, I'm a produce of the 60s! Those good old days
when protest was "in," government "out" and the little guy could move
mountains...or at least tried. I have your "mountain." It is YOUR turn to
DO IT! <G>
I previously mentioned that Peter C. Bartrum's new series is nearing
publication. For those of you who may not know, this will the be third and
final series. The man is in his 80s or so.
His first publication was on all the genealogy lines that he could prove
from pre 300 AD. It was of interest, so the powers that be put it on
microfiche. Only 100 copies of it was produced on microfiche, but don't
ask me which libraries.
The second publication was on all of Wales again, but from 300 to 1400.
The publishers, University of Wales Press decided that this may be popular
and published 200 copies! Now, not all the volumes can be found in print
for public purchase and there seems no desire to do a reprinting by the
National Library of Wales who have been given the rights to it.
Mr. Bartrum has allowed Michael Siddons at the NWL to have some control
(maybe all...I'm not certain) as to the series' future. However, Michael
doesn't run the NWL, although he is in some sort of management position.
(Roy's knows; I don't).
It appears that Bartrum's work is nearly finished for the last in the
series. It will cover our lines and the eras from 1400 to 1600. Bartrum
doesn't include line unless HE has found proof of them (per Roy who has and
is working with him from time to time).
I spoke with you before about a campaign to show there is a great interest
in these works. One to get more books published on the last series and one
to get all of it on CD. This man has spent nearly 50 years of his life
compiling this information, not for profit...he's not taken a dime for it,
according to Roy...not for glory....not because he is Welsh, but because of
a love and interest in Welsh people and history.
The shame of it all is that as Wales is a difficult country (sorry,
England! <G>) in which to research and as the NWL hasn't preserved the
original records well (remember they are in cardboard boxes and anyone can
touch them.), it is extremely valuable that this major work be preserved.
In this era preservation is through mass copies and/or electronic form
accessible to many. Yes, it should be preserved under the normal archival
methods as well. BUT, a book in a library, unaccessible to all, is useless
to those who need it and only collects dust for future generations who may
neglect its importance.
That brings me to YOU --each of you! Although one person can have an idea,
it takes that pebble to roll down the hill to create the snowball....(So...
I threw some pretty mean snowballs in my youth! <G>) It is time to begin
rattling pans to get the attention of the NWL's leaders to insure not only
that series three is important to more than the few who visit the library,
but that ALL of the series needs to be accessible. If we create the market
and show the NWL that there is one (They are librarians...not genealogists,
remember!), WE can make it happen. I know we can, if you are willing to
help. Roy and Michael are in agreement to all of this, but the
genealogists must show that it is needed, desired, and thus, important to a
level higher than they perceive.
Our group isn't that large, so this will mean that each of you needs to
participate in action (not just words) and that we need to in turn pass
this word on to others who have Welsh connections...EVEN if they are stuck
in the 1800s.
I realize that the price of any of this could be beyond some or most, but
that isn't the issue at the moment. If you personally do not wish or can't
purchase what will be produced, as a genealogist and historian, you must
think of others...of later generations who may desire to access it. There
are always ways to have local genealogy societies purchase works by
compiling donations; there are ways of having libraries acquire copies;
there are ways. BUT, first, enough copies MUST be made for that to happen.
The NWL doesn't think there is a market and can't afford to mass produce
if there isn't.
Personally, given the vast interest of genealogy in this country, and
seeing it grows in others who have Welsh connections and communities
(Australia, some areas of South America, etc.), I believe that once
published, that Welsh genealogists will purchase it. As I said before, it
is possible that the NWL who hasn't the capabilities of putting the info on
CD may defer to a company like Geneal. Pub, etc. to do it. The point is to
get it out.
Your silence will result in this huge work being lost to us. None of us
have the time, money, etc. to travel to those few libraries that have it.
Interlibrary loan is impossible, I'm sure. The second series is 18 volumes
NOT including several books of additions and corrections.
What can you do? (This isn't multiple choice...all needs to be done.)
1. Write/email everyone you know with Welsh genealogy and convince them to
help.
2. Write NWL and ask when the next series will be published; let them know
you are interested in purchasing as the contents will cover your family.
3. Write the NWL and suggest that they put series 1 and 2 on CD...and
perhaps the third when it is published. Let them know that these are your
lines; that there is so little available on Welsh genealogy in this country.
4. Tell your local genealogy societies and libraries that this work is
important, needed, and becoming all too rare. Convince them to write the
NWL requesting more information on its publication.
5. Send knowledge of this to email lists that deal with Wales.
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Below is what Roy wrote yesterday (paraphrased and quoted)
Regarding the person who is selling a CD with Bartrum's info on it, Roy
wrote me that he had lunch with Michael Siddons and that Michael took the
info to the chief of the library. It is currently questionable if the man
is breaking copyright law, but they all agreed that the guy "doesn't know
much about using WG (Welsh Genealogies --name of the series) and that it is
ill conceived and irresponsible, and morally reprehensible." Roy and
Michael are hoping that this will spur the library to do something better
and soon.
He further writes: "Michael thought that it would help if any of you over
there would write to request info on a new edition of Bartrum's WG,
pointing out that the pirate version is proof that there is a market. Who
should we write to? I'm not sure - the Chief Librarian, or the Director of
Marketing would be the best guess. (There is no Director of
Publications!!!) He was very pleased that our Penllyn contingent is
concerned about this."
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Perhaps if you would write to the following address with the attention to
the Director of Marketing and one to the Chief Librarian, it would find the
right person. This is something that shouldn't be delayed as the matter is
being taken into consideration as soon as people return after the holidays.
The library is closed this next week.
Addr:
The National Library of Wales
Aberystwyth
Ceredigion
Sy23 3BU
Fax: (01970) 615709 (You may have to find the international code for
this, however)
PLEASE don't put this off. Once a decision is made, reversing it may be
impossible. You know this is the right thing to get these records
available to researchers. If not for you, do it for your descendants. A
little of your time may be of such great value to others, later. This is
your opportunity to "give back" to the system.
As more develops or as Roy gets the name of someone else to write, I'll let
you know. Don't wait, however. I, better than most, know that if you put
it off, we'll miss the window of opportunity. I also know that form
letters don't raise the attention level, so do write your own.
Let me know that you have written. It is important to see how many others
we need to stir up to get this job done. A few letters may help, but many,
from all over the US will be best.
Thank you for all your support.
Wishing all of you the best of the Holidays,
Always,
Emily