Our first week of historical research on the Read House, gardens, and water lot was approached from many different directions. Yet, surprisingly, these many different approaches seem to have been performed by everyone, no matter their time period of study.
Most of us started out on the internet, searching Google or delCAT for anything of relevance. In some instances, individuals were able to find online documents pertaining to their time period, such as wills of the owners. However, delCAT seemed to yield more promising results. When search terms were entered into the system, primary and secondary sources were listed. Theses from former University of Delaware students, such as Michele Anstine, and others were found within the system, giving us researchers some interesting information. Many of the primary sources, however, were located in Special Collections. This is where many of the group’s turned to next.
In Special Collections, one group was able to find Records of the Court of New Castle, in which they found mentions of individuals from their time period. Another group also found a small booklet describing some of the renovations and history behind the Read House.
The next logical step for many people was to try and locate the deeds relating to their time periods. The media center in the bottom floor of the University of Delaware Library has a microform section in which many of the deeds pertaining to New Castle before 1850 can be found. Once a microform attendant was available, students were able to find the correct reels for the deeds they were searching for. It seems that some had a hard time figuring out how to search through a reel, but it also seems that they hope to look at them again with a fresh pair of eyes. Perseverance is definitely the key in this situation. Some individuals stated that the handwriting is almost illegible and also that the microform machines can make you a little dizzy and queasy.
There were a few different reactions posted up on our class blog this week. Some felt that the week was not too successful. Whatever the case, it is apparent by reading the research plans and ambitions for the upcoming weeks that we will not give up any time soon!
