In 1974 British historian Peter Liddle left New Zealand for the U.K. with a series of diaries, letters, notebooks, and oral recordings from NZ Gallipoli veterans. They eventually became part of an internationally significant collection of war experiences at Leeds University Library. Most of the personal archives were copies, but the collection also included original items from over 60 veterans, including dairies of 15 veterans. In October this year, the Alexander Turnbull Library welcomed the Leeds University Librarian and families of several veterans to an event that marked the physical repatriation of archives of 3 veterans, and digital repatriation of the rest of the collection.
This presentation tells the story of these archives. It outlines the research, analysis, and discussions by which it was agreed that some original items will come back to New Zealand, and most will remain at Leeds University Library, but all will be digitally repatriated. Repatriation is a complicated and often emotionally charged area of archival discourse, with very few case studies from which to draw practical lessons. Mark will outline his work with these archives and the underlying principles developed in collaboration with Leeds University Library.
Biography:
Mark Crookston is the Associate Chief Librarian at the Alexander Turnbull Library, part of the National Library on New Zealand. He has previously worked in a range of archive and library roles in New Zealand, the Pacific, and the UK. Mark is a member of the ICA Expert Group on Appraisal, is Secretary of the Wellington branch of ARANZ, and was previously the Secretary-General of PARBICA - The Pacific Branch of the International Council on Archives.
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