Father's WWII M.N. diary needs proper archiving - any suggestions welcome!

[Michael Hargreave Mawson]

I should like to suggest the option of offering the archive to the Imperial War Museum. They already have an extensive collection relating to the Merchant Navy in the Second World War, and are one of the few museums in the country which is unlikely to have its funding cut, or to feel the need to sell donated archives or articles to raise money. The reading room is open to anyone who cares to book a table, and a London location would ensure that the largest number of scholars would have easy access to the material.

[Valerie Mitchell]

I think that we all agree that Valerie's father was indeed a brave man and endured much and served his Country in time of need as did thousands of Merchant Seamen and that neither his or their service should be forgotten and in that event EVERY avenue should be explored in retaining these documents for posterity. Whist it is easy to dismiss the University route it is these University Archives that people use for research on all manner of subjects and the object of the exercise is to keep these valuable papers for posterity where they can be readily be available for all to access for one purpose or another; which sadly may not be the case if they are left in some local school depository never to be seen again until the school has a clear out.

Valerie by her very email composition seems to be a very capable lady and will surely take the right decision and there is no reason why every avenue of the recognition of her father's service cannot be achieved.

Many thanks indeed for all the kind suggestions from everyone in this conversation! Jacqueline and I are amazed at the quick response and will certainly look into all the leads. We hadn't thought of self-publishing but if we manage to produce a printed version, we will certainly inform the BMN Old Friends Plus. The original papers will also certainly find a good home eventually and I imagine one of the Maritime Museums or Universities you suggest will have the best facilities for this. We really appreciate your encouragement. Thank you all so much!

[William Macnaught]

Hi Valerie, you could try Tyne & Wear Archives. They have a huge collection of shipping archives about Sunderland. At the very least they will point you in the direction of another archive that will look after your material. Good luck!

[j.sabourn]

Talking about Sunderland I have never seen any mention in any posts about Allan Blacks of Sunderland anyone sail on their ships. ? JS

[Raymond Wilde]

Hello Valerie.
The Sunderland Antiquarian Society, (Yahoo UK | News, email and search), would be delighted to receive your father’s documents. This society is well respected and has been operating since 1900, one of the oldest such societies in the country, if not, THE oldest. I am a member of this society and I, personally, would be delighted to peruse them, as would other members. These documents would, I think, be digitised and archived carefully, so would be in safe hands.
By the way, I was an apprentice at George Clark’s engine works, albeit a while after your father, in the sixties, before joining the Merchant Navy myself.
All the best to you, Valerie and your sister, and I hope your wish is fulfilled, wherever you decide to donate these documents.

Added in case by Doc

Sunderland Antiquarians Society (sunderland-antiquarians.org)

[j.sabourn]

Raymond Wilde a bit out of step but a quick query. are you any relation to a lady
Of the same name of Wilde who was looking for anyone who sailed with her father Capt. Wilde from London . I replied that I thought I knew him and received
No reply. Is same family or not ?
Cheers. JS

[Raymond Wilde]

Hello JS
No, I'm fairly sure I'm no relative.
Ray.

[Brenda Shackleton]

Hello Jacqueline and Valerie,
Am sending you a PM (Private message)
Best wishes
Brenda

[Peter foale]

I donated a lot of diaries, photographs and other maritime information handed down to me from my great grandfather, grandfather and my father to the Liverpool Maritime museum. They were only too happy to accept it.

[Peter Thomson]

Good morning Valerie,

Your post had me catch my breath when I read it. The exploits and experiences of your father at sea in peace and war MUST be preserved. You have received much sage advice from members here all along the line that you should publish to preserve the material and your father's memory - together with those of the Golden Generation of seafarers who went about their civilian tasks in wartime and saved the nation.
Much of the advice given you in response suggests you publish your father's diary. But how do you go about it if you have not done this before?

I have just published a similar wartime story of a sixteen-year-old decoy taken captive by a German surface raider-Frank's bench. I did this independently after falling out with the 'experts' who were guiding me and I did this independently through Amazon desktop publishing. The original material for this book came from the seafarer's wartime diary.
I had help in the way of financial sponsorship from the Merchant Navy Association.
I had encouragement from the Marine Society and Nautilus International.I also have had encouragement from the Liverpool Maritime Museum who are arranging a media launch for the book in September.
I am mentioning this not as an advert for the book, but to illustrate where you might find help and encouragement for your project.

To retain control of your project you will need to be able to organize the material, do research to verify it, as sometime people under stress can get things wrong and to gather a team around you with publishing skills - book cover design, layout, copy editing, proof reading, marketing etc.(I'm no good at marketing) For sure, you can do these things for your self, but in some cases it is best to hire professionals - and, if you don't know your way around (which means if you haven's suffer some financial losses and disappointments in finding out) hiring THE RIGHT professionals will ease your path to publication ion and will be cheaper in the long run. I do hope you will embark on the path of publication. IF you do, please do not necessarily assume that your father. enjoys the status of copyright holder with every image you might find among his material. Copyright is big business and represents a personal minefield for authors. Gaining permissions for 'Frank's bench...' was one of the costliest aspects of production. Yes, you will need a fund of cash to start this - not large, but some money. I am attaching a pic of my cover, not as an advert, but to establish my bona fides with you. IF I- and my team- can help in any way whatsoever please get in touch. If you do wish to available yourself of our service, please do not offend us by offering us money for our advice or services. Payment eb enough will be to see your father's book on the shelves of bookstores. Good Luck, This is a serious offer of help should you wish to use it. PS Sorry- upload of image failed.[ATTACH=CONFIG]36261