Towards a History of Australian Diary Keeping
Abstract
The paper is a two-part discussion of what is needed for an archival history to be written of diary keeping in Australia, and what it might cover. The first begins by looking at the state of archival history and diary studies in Australia, and the research infrastructure needed to support such a history. It also points to problems with the notion of a distinctive Australian diary, and with the concept of “diary” as a record type. The second part suggests some possible themes for the history arising from various factors which give rise to the keeping of diaries. Gender, educational and social background, and professional mindset can predispose people to produce and keep diaries and journals. Event-based factors such as participation in war or traveling to Australia as an immigrant are also discussed. These are developed historically, with the European discovery and settlement of Australia and its involvement in war especially as prisoners of war highlighted as two themes for further development.
RÉSUMÉ
Cet article présente un exposé en deux parties : que faudrait-il pour rédiger une histoire archivistique des journaux personnels en Australie et que pourrait couvrir cette histoire. Dans la première partie, l’auteur examine l’état des études en Australie sur le sujet ainsi que les infrastructures nécessaires pour supporter la constitution d’une telle histoire. Il note aussi les problèmes reliés à la particularité des journaux personnels australiens et au concept même de journal comme un document d’archives. Dans la seconde partie, il suggère quelques thèmes historiques découlant des facteurs variés qui ont amené l’émergence de la tenue de journaux personnels. Le genre, les antécédents scolaires et sociaux ainsi que les mentalités professionnelles peuvent prédisposer les personnes à produire et à conserver des journaux personnels. Des facteurs événementiels comme la participation à la guerre ou l’immigration vers l’Australie sont aussi commentés et développés historiquement, alors que la découverte européenne et la colonisation de l’Australie (plus particulièrement l’expérience des prisonniers de guerre) sont présentés comme deux thèmes à développer dans le futur.
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