Well...I got to PRONI and it's in a big beautiful new building right near the Titanic Museum and you have to join to get access to their files and they've got a LOT...of everything I don't need. If I wanted to research family, I could do that. But facts and figures of life on Nailer's Row in Derry in the 60s? Nope. And you can't find this out online; very few of their records are available, that way.
BUT...this did lead me to an archive of video bits from Northern Ireland, including Derry before the Troubles began. Like a nice long one about the closing of the Great Northern Rail Line in 1965.
AND...they pointed me to a library where they had a book containing this map of the city of Derry in or around 1964, before reconstruction took off. No photocopies allowed, so I snuck a shot with my camera; no flash.
Then THEY sent me to an archeological foundation where they have information on everything that went on in Derry for the last few centuries...but nothing about the living conditions on Nailer's Row. However, I may have instigated a research project, because the gentleman I spoke with was quite taken with the idea.
Well, at this point I'm close to renting a car and taking a run to Derry to took into a small museum I once visited on the Waterside area...but I've been directed to the Belfast Main Library...where they have an office set up strictly for news papers...and they have actual bound copies of The Derry Journal from 1966, 1967, 1968, 1969...and I stayed there till nearly 8pm. Damn, I could spend a week in that place.
Now I know where to go if I come back to this town.
Of course, I also did a hint of sight-seeing. This is Belfast's City Hall...
And this is the new waterfront area, leading to the ferries to Scotland and Wales. All of this has happened in the last 8 years.
Damn, it's been that long since I was last in Ireland?
BUT...this did lead me to an archive of video bits from Northern Ireland, including Derry before the Troubles began. Like a nice long one about the closing of the Great Northern Rail Line in 1965.
Then THEY sent me to an archeological foundation where they have information on everything that went on in Derry for the last few centuries...but nothing about the living conditions on Nailer's Row. However, I may have instigated a research project, because the gentleman I spoke with was quite taken with the idea.
Well, at this point I'm close to renting a car and taking a run to Derry to took into a small museum I once visited on the Waterside area...but I've been directed to the Belfast Main Library...where they have an office set up strictly for news papers...and they have actual bound copies of The Derry Journal from 1966, 1967, 1968, 1969...and I stayed there till nearly 8pm. Damn, I could spend a week in that place.
Now I know where to go if I come back to this town.
Damn, it's been that long since I was last in Ireland?
4 comments:
I have to say, I've enjoyed your updates from your trip. I've been sharing them with Jr. As well. Thanks for sharing!!!
Glad you're liking it, Mac. Be warned, I've become obsessed with a new story, and have a lot of it written, already. Very surprising, to me. And dark.
HMMM... I'm intrigued.
I guess I'd better address this issue in my blog...because I ain't doin' nothin' else till this thing is done...it's overwhelmed me...
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