Local history project - volunteers required

Bob Jefferson · Post by **Bob Jefferson** » 29 Oct 2005, 20:49

Some of you may remember that a while ago I dipped into the Scotsman digital archive and uncovered some very interesting stuff about Portobello's past.

I would now like to assemble a team of volunteers to systematically search the archive and record all significant references to Portobello. This is a year-long project and obviously requires a great deal of commitment but it would be a very worthwhile exercise and the results will be of tremendous value to local historians.

Please pm me in the first instance if you are interested. You should assume that you will be required to spend one evening a week on this project over a 12 month period.

I hope to raise funds to cover the costs involved.

Bob Jefferson · Post by **Bob Jefferson** » 30 Oct 2005, 18:13

Five volunteers so far but we could still do with a few more. When I said 'one evening a week' I was thinking of people with traditional 9-5 jobs but in fact this is a project where you should be able to choose hours to suit yourself, so perhaps I should re-phrase that as '2 hours per week'.

Once we have a few more volunteers I will arrange a meeting to discuss the plan of attack, and then we'll see who is still left.

Bob Jefferson · Post by **Bob Jefferson** » 30 Oct 2005, 21:28

I'm sure that my local councillor will be astounded to learn that we now have 7 gossipers who are prepared to sacrifice prime tittle-tattle time on a voluntary community project.

I think that at the end of the year we should compile a list of things that forum members have achieved in the last 12 months, not least being Radio Free Porty, and send it to him.

At least 3 more volunteers required.

Bob Jefferson · Post by **Bob Jefferson** » 04 Nov 2005, 23:00

Many thanks to everyone who has volunteered for this project. I will be in touch soon to arrange a meeting.

Bob Jefferson · Post by **Bob Jefferson** » 03 Dec 2005, 16:02

The digital archive project is now under way. By good fortune our first meeting coincided with a St Andrew's Day offer of free access for a week. Predictably, this resulted in the server being completely overwhelmed on day one but the archive is now available to all, so even if you haven't volunteered you may wish to take advantage of this offer. If you decide to take out a subscription there are some very generous half-price offers available until the end of the year.

Here's a little snippet I found earlier from 19 November 1861:

Portobello is usually little heard of while the snow is on the ground; and, indeed, most people beyond its immediate confines might easily be made to believe that the bustle and gaiety which enliven it during the summer and autumn months suddenly cease with the first frosty night, and that Portobello passes the winter in a state of slumber.

Epykat · Post by **Epykat** » 04 Dec 2005, 19:28

Wot? No teenagers in 1861 then?

Bob Jefferson · Post by **Bob Jefferson** » 31 Dec 2005, 13:34

A reminder to anyone who is interested in the digital archive that today is the last opportunity to take advantage of the Scotsman half-price offer.

I just treated myself to an early birthday present - a 6 month subscription with 6 months free for Â£80.

Details here

Poppy · Post by **Poppy** » 31 Dec 2005, 13:36

I just treated myself to an early birthday present - a 6 month subscription with 6 months free

Me too!!

Jamesie · Post by **Jamesie** » 31 Dec 2005, 14:09

I'm thinking about signing up - are the documents in pdf? Given that I'm off til Wednesday I'm tempted to have a two day taster.

Bob Jefferson · Post by **Bob Jefferson** » 31 Dec 2005, 14:20

Jamesie, they aren't in pdf format but there is an option to save them as such. There is also an inbuilt ocr facility which isn't much use with early editions but works reasonably well with more recent ones. I found that the easiest and most useful way to save the articles you want is by using the 'clippings' facility. However, these are stored on the Scotsman server so are only accessible while you have a subscription.

By all means try a 2 day taster but remember that the offer ends today.

Jamesie · Post by **Jamesie** » 31 Dec 2005, 14:21

Bob Jefferson wrote: By all means try a 2 day taster but remember that the offer ends today.

Just signed up for two weeks - a remarkable resource! Am I missing something or does it only go as recent as 1950?

Bob Jefferson · Post by **Bob Jefferson** » 31 Dec 2005, 14:26

I think that they are adding to the archive from the earliest edition forwards. I'm sure that they will eventually digitise the entire thing.

Sandra · Post by **Sandra** » 31 Dec 2005, 16:42

Jamesie wrote:Given that I'm off til Wednesday

you and about 90% of the population

Jamesie · Post by **Jamesie** » 31 Dec 2005, 16:46

Sandra wrote:
Jamesie wrote:Given that I'm off til Wednesday
you and about 90% of the population

Was at work Wed-Fri but only really in body

On that note, I think the first drink of the afternoon may just be calling....

Bob Jefferson · Post by **Bob Jefferson** » 31 Dec 2005, 17:05

If anyone who has signed up can find any information on when the Police Station bell was disconnected, or reports of it being used, I would be very interested.

The only reference I have found so far was a victory celebration of the Boer War back in 1900. As the building dates from 1877 you can restrict your search accordingly.

rathbone · Post by **rathbone** » 01 Jan 2006, 09:06

Bob Jefferson wrote: I just treated myself to an early birthday present - a 6 month subscription with 6 months free for Â£80.

And I made it my christmas present to me.

Poppy · Post by **Poppy** » 01 Jan 2006, 19:15

[quote="rathbone]And I made it my christmas present to me.[/quote]

Ooooh, that's a good idea, Rathers. And it means I can get myself something else for my birthday!!!