An Chartlann Mhíleata The Military Archives: An introduction to our sources for military history and recent initiatives Presentation NLI Tues 09 Oct 2012
This evening s presentation A Military Archives? Organisational structure The role of the Military Archives today Types of records in our care Services Sources Questions and answers session
The Defence Forces, Cathal Brugha Barracks and a Military Archives Libraries and Archives The Public Record Office, 1922 Military Archives post 1922 The Collins Collection G2 material The Bureau of Military History Comdt Peter Young (RIP), 1999 Comdt Victor Laing, 2012 National Archives Act 1986 1987 conversion in Cathal Brugha Barracks 1990: section 14 the place of deposit for the records of the Department of Defence, the Defence Forces and the Army Pensions Board 2012 Dedicated website: www.militaryarchives.ie 2012 - www.bureauofmilitaryhistory.ie
Organisational structure OIC Military Archives (Commandant) Director, National Archives 2 I/C Military Archives (Captain) Archives assistant (Private) Archives assistant/admin (Sergeant) Civilian archivist Civilian archivist Civilian archivist
The role of the Military Archives today Mission: to acquire, preserve and make available material three tasks Close relationship with the NA Accountability and transparency Our services: Internal queries FOI requests Legal queries Military culture and heritage (commemorative events, DF publications) Academic research Records management Serving military personnel
The role of the Military Archives today (ctd.) Our services: external (PUBLIC) queries: Full public reading room, by appointment Family groups Academic researchers (2 nd, 3 rd, 4 th level and local history) Media organisations Responding to correspondence Assistance to local heritage groups Public lectures and exhibitions, school workshops Annual record release: 30 year rule
Types of records in our care: what do we have? The surviving archival material relating to the Irish military establishment from 1922 to present (including all personnel records and overseas UN service) Records from the revolutionary period 1913-1922 Some records from the pre-1913 period (British military records) No British Army Personal Records
Types of records in our care: sources for Revolutionary period (1913-1923) Classification of records by provenance: office of origin 1. Records generated by the Defence Forces 2. Records generated by the Bureau of Military History 3. Records generated by the Army Pensions Board 4. Records from other sources
Maps, Plans and Drawings
Image Identification Project
Types of records in our care: sources for Revolutionary period (1913-1921/2) 2. Records generated by the Bureau of Military History A: The BMH witness statements B: The BMH CD collection C: The BMH P and VR collection How is it accessed? Through appointment or online www.bureauofmilitaryhistory.ie
1917 Elections. Ald. Cosgrave making speech from Courthouse Balcony after being elected, defeating Councillor Maginnis in Kilkenny Bye - Election Raid by British Military on Sinn Fein H. Q., Harcourt St., Dublin, September 1919.
West Mayo Brigade Flying Column, IRA (IE/MA/BMH/P40)
Audio Files http://www.bureauofmilitaryhistory.ie/voicerecordings.html 1 - Gen Sean MacEoin 2 - Madam Gonne McBride 3 - Mrs Eamon Ceannt 4 - Mrs Tom Clarke 5 - Mr Oscar Traynor 6 - Mr Sean Moylan 7 - Mr Sean T O Kelly 8 - Mr William O Brien 9 - Mr William T Cosgrave 10 - Rev Fr Aloysius Cap 11 - The Hon. Cono A Maguire 12 - The Hon Mr Justic Gavin Duffy
BMH Statements
Types of records in our care: sources for Revolutionary period (1913-1923) 1. Personnel records generated by the Defence Forces (PDF, LDF,LSF, FCA): A: Personal records, commissioned officers B: Personal records, other ranks AF 43A C: Personal records, LDF/LSF medal rolls D: Personal records, FCÁ E: Enlistment and discharge resisters F: Army Census, November 1922 coming soon G: Prisoner Ledgers (civil war) H: log books etc.. J: Overseas unit histories
Types of records in our care: sources for Revolutionary period (1913-1923) 1. Records generated by the Defence Forces Terms of access Access? Hard copy Microfilm Digitised copy
Types of records in our care: sources for Revolutionary period (1913-1921/2) 3. Records generated by the Army Pensions Board This material is currently not in the public domain,, subject to an archival project to release the material in time for the 2016 centenary celebrations NOK can apply through Veterans Administration Section, Department of Defence, Renmore, Galway
Types of records in our care: sources post 1922 4. Records from other sources A: The G2 records from the Emergency period Departmental files on relevant subjects (barrack building, exercises etc.) Maps and plans collections names of engineers and architects more coming soon
Types of records in our care: sources for Local History This can vary greatly, depending on the area of interest. Some common sources: BMH statements for your area Barrack plans for your locality Civil War operational and intelligence reports Civil War captured documents Defence Forces publications (An tóglach, t An Cosantóir) Crashes and forced landings, Emergency period Photographic collections
Limitations Within means and capabilities. Staffing and resources The physical limitations of a Victorian NCOs mess The digitisation myth Email expectations Military personal records a fantastic resource yet subject to privacy clause Managing the public expectation and old- fashioned research
The future for Military Archives An integral part of Óglaigh na héireann Significant contribution to decade of commemorations Continued public service and records made available without extra charge Growing online presence Current and future BMH: Launched 07 August 2012 400,000 views since launch 60,000 image views Jan 11 v 12 - queries up 311%, Telephone Up 29%, Researchers up 126% Apr 11 v 12 queries up 151%, Telephone Up 4%, Researchers up 53% Aug 11 v 12- queries up 255%, Telephone down 3.7%, Researchers no change Military Service Pensions records - Launch TBC More finding aids online Audiovisual content interviews with veterans etc Image identification project launched 24 Apr 210,000 views Launch of the 1922 Census in November Online E newsletter
Questions and answers www.militaryarchives.ie Duty archivist: +353 (0)1 804 6457