Indyboys at The National Archives

[anteros_lmc]

Cross posting this from nodbear's journal...

We’re chuffed to bits that our research into the lives of the historical crew of HMS Indefatigable will be featured at The National Archives this weekend as part of the Explore Your Archives series of events. On Saturday 23rd November The National Archives will host a one day event focused on how archives can inspire creativity. The programme includes an “Explore Our Stories” strand which provides members of the public with an opportunity to see ten Discovery Boxes containing documents that are not normally allowed out of the search rooms, and to hear how these documents have inspired research and revealed long hidden stories. Each Discovery Box item has been chosen by a member of the Archives’ staff, or one of the Friends of The National Archives, who will be on hand to answer questions about the documents, explain the information they reveal and the stories that they tell.

One of the ten documents being presented is ADM36/13144, the 1797 muster book of the HMS Indefatigable, and nodbear will be on hand to talk about the amazing stories that the muster reveals. Visitors will have a chance to see the original ship’s muster book, to look through a copy of the document, and to see pictures of some of the young officers who served aboard the ship. (I can neither confirm nor deny that this will include pictures of Horatio and Archie ;)



Muster book of His Majesty's Ship the Indefatigable

Comments

[eglantine-br.livejournal.com]

Just sitting here with my mouth open, thinking: somebody opened that book, and took a pen and ink and wrote those words. And they were there-- on the actual Indy. They put their left hand on the page on the left, and the sweat and salt from their palm soaked into the paper, and they used their right hand to make the words that are there now, so much later.

And their unique, never-again brains were full of memories and thoughts we will never know. And they were dressed in wool, from forgotten sheep, and somebody made their clothes by hand. Somebody with a never-again brain, pulled the needle through the cloth over and over, and we will never know what they knew.

And they were irreplaceable. And so are we all.

Well there. I have made myself cry-- and it is not even 9 am. And anyway, you hardly need me to say any of this. This is where fiction intersects with history.

And wouldn't they be horrified to think some silly woman is weeping over muster books and dead men and sheep!

[shezzawatto.livejournal.com]

That is why you can write fabulous fanfiction and others can't - that evocation of detail.
"... sweat and salt from their palm...", " ... never-again brain", "... forgotten sheep..."
Brilliant.
Weep away - it is appropriate.

[eglantine-br.livejournal.com]

The Great Gatsby had it backwards, I think-- we are borne ceaselessly into the future. (I never did like that book.)

I have always felt this way about the past. I can remember weeping over the same thoughts when I was five or six, and not having the words to explain.

It is only the internet that has allowed me to find kindly people who know what I mean.

[anteros-lmc.livejournal.com]

She is a wonder isn't she? eglantine_br's writing frequently moves me to tears, it's so evocative.

[anteros-lmc.livejournal.com]

I have exactly the same reaction to this book. Although nodbear is intimately acquainted with it, I've only had the privilege of seeing it once. I couldn't quite believe it was sitting there on the desk, right in front of me. All those names, all those lives, it's hard to comprehend. Also it was all I could do not to rub my face on it. I think that kind of behaviour is very much frowned on in The National Archives though :}

I'm sure you're right, they would think us very silly women indeed, but I also think they'd understand.

[shezzawatto.livejournal.com]

Congratulations shipmates! Look where romantical fanfiction musings lead. Who'd a thunk it!

[anteros-lmc.livejournal.com]

Whoda thunk it indeed! I am still continually astonished that we have got this far. I keep waiting for someone to finally figure out that we're really just a fair of disreputable fangirls :} Thanks for all your support, it means the world to us.

[eglantine-br.livejournal.com]

Nodbear and Anteros are beyond awesome!

[anteros-lmc.livejournal.com]

Awww you're too kind! :}

[mylodon.livejournal.com]

So delighted for you. You must be able to sneak A/H in somehow - maybe just to say how they missed this particular muster?

[anteros-lmc.livejournal.com]

maybe just to say how they missed this particular muster?
Captured by the enemy in a prize perhaps?

[stevie-carroll.livejournal.com]

Cor!

[anteros-lmc.livejournal.com]

Cool intit? :)

[shepet.livejournal.com]

Now i understand what pushed you to write "Bequest"! :)