Archives Found

A few bits and bobs that tickled our fancy over here at Archives Found headquarters, but don’t really fit anywhere else….

• Archivist-turned-British-secret-intelligence-agent, now mystery novelist Stella Rimington has a new book out this month.  From an article in The Australian:

The ability to think clearly and organise information is more important to a real-life agent than any martial arts skills, says Rimington, who never carried a gun during her glittering secret service career.

Her university training as an archivist turned out to be an enormous asset because, “I mentally program information in quite an orderly way, and one of the key skills of a security service is about organising your own information and being able to relate what you learn to what you already know”.

I think that information science degree programs should start listing “international spy” on the list of potential careers, though I’m not sure I’d choose that over being an archivist… you?

• “The Archivist Cometh, or Mr. DeMille Wouldn’t Like This!” – short column in the Palm Beach Post that talks about the bereft feelings that some donors have after the boxes have been packed and Elvis has left the building…

• Official porn collection from the Dutch city of Leeuwarden is missing in action– short article from the AP and Columbus Dispatch.

Spokesman Erik Krikke of the city’s historical center said the archive — which contained photos, drawings and erotic texts with a connection to the city — may have been taken home “accidentally” by an employee or visitor.

“We’re hoping that someone will say ‘Hey, I have that in my attic’ and bring it back,” he said today. “No questions asked.”

• “Text Message Love Letter from the 1800s”- article from WalesOnline.uk

“DID u thnk th lnguge of txtng strtd wth th mbl fon?

Well, if so a century-old love letter discovered by archivists at Swansea University shows you couldn’t be more wrong.

The missive penned by William Weightman to his “dearest” Fanny was found in a temperance society minute book kept between 1879 and 1890.”

And last, but not least:

• From the Times Online and in honor of Valentine’s Day, Valentine memories from the French- check out the INA website for “14 ways to say I love you” – clips of various love songs, old and new.