Federation Of Family History Societies

Threat to Chair of Palæography at King's College, London

KCL is proposing to axe the English-speaking world’s only Chair of Palæography, that is, the study of ancient writing, the discipline which underlies any work done with manuscripts from a time before typescript (and after, where Gothic Black Letter is concerned).  Without training in palæography the original sources of this period basically become inaccessible.  More information about this can been seen at http://tenthmedieval.wordpress.com/2010/02/12/the-kcl-situation/.

There is a petition against these proposals at http://www.petitiononline.com/spkcl10/petition.html and already it has nearly 8,000 signatures.

Below is a copy of a letter sent to KCL on behalf of the Federation.

-o0o-

Professor Rick Trainor
The Principal, King’s College
The Strand
London, WC2R 2LS

11 March 2010

Dear Professor

Threat to Chair of Palæography at King's College, London

The Federation of Family History Societies (FFHS) represents nearly all the Family History Societies in England and Wales.  The combined membership of these societies is in the region of 80,000.  We also have international members.

One of the key aims of our member societies is to ensure the preservation of records relevant to family history, and to ensure that access to these records is maintained.

The FFHS is very concerned by the proposed abolition of the only Chair of Palaeography in the United Kingdom.  Many family historians need expert advice and tuition on the reading and interpretation of records and archival sources, especially in medieval and earlier years, which they use in the course of their research.

We join with the many thousands who have expressed grave concerns over this proposal and urge you to reconsider your plans so that the Chair may be saved.

 A copy of this letter is being sent to Professor Jan Palmowski, Head of the School of Arts and Humanities.

Yours faithfully

Roger Lewry
Archives Liaison Officer

-o0o-

Roger Lewry
FFHS Archives Liaison

22 March 2010