I think the idea of having a social
history project (but that might not have been its first name) sprang
from the decision to establish a memory bank in the Afro-Caribbean
Institute of Jamaica, a branch of the Institute of Jamaica. In fact,
I recall going downtown to one of their early meetings to discuss
this idea. It seemed inappropriate that they should have this important
field of history all to themselves when we have more expertise,
and it was not to be left behind that the idea of starting something
similar was carried on campus. So, it is true to say that the idea
of starting a memory bank was a vital source of our stimulation.
I recall that I wrote as Head to two United States universities
to ascertain how they organised their social history projects; but
these efforts came to naught. It was in these circumstances, to
the best of my recollection, that Prof. Barry Higman (Dr. Higman
as he then was) a very quiet member of the Department, produced
a blueprint of the Project complete with a brochure of advertisement.
It was so complete that it was accepted totally by the Department,
and Higman for his pains was asked to head the Project since he
had the clearest idea what should be done and how it should be done.
I believe the model he used might have come from an Australian university.
My own subsequent involvement with the Project included my apprenticeship
to Higman in learning to use the computer programme employed to
generate the Index of pre-1950 periodicals in the National Library
of Jamaica. I recall going to Higman’s house where ho showed
me how to code and enter the materials and when he left for leave
in Australia I assumed responsibility to carry on the Index and
in turn taught a group of students how to do the coding. They worked
under my supervision in the summer of 1982 and their names are recorded
on the Index. I recall taking the computer operation so seriously
that I went to the Faculty of Natural Science to learn about Fortran
(which I believe was the language of the programme), also about
punch cards and the teletype machines which produced them. Who remembers
Fortran nowadays? (I think this computer programme came from someone
who was working in the Mona Library).
I had no reason then to believe that the SHP would survive to its
25th birthday. It has operated for a great deal of these years on
the framework in which Higman set it, and we own him a debt of gratitude
for giving the idea a body. I believe I can claim to have been an
early enthusiast for the SHP.
Long live the Social History Project !
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