The use of archives for industrial archaeology

Adele Redhead

(First published in Dunaskin News, May 2003)

Industrial archaeology typically deals with disused buildings and machines, and almost everyone who has an interest in Britain’s industrial past will have had at least a passing flirtation with industrial archaeology.

Here at Glasgow University Archive Services we have two main categories of records that may be of use to researchers interested in Industrial Archaeology.  First there are records which document the business or company, and therefore help researchers to gain a better understanding of the processes, equipment and development of a particular business sector.  Secondly we also hold the papers which have been donated by prominent industrial archaeologists, which can contribute much to the knowledge of researchers.  This article will outline some of these collections, and highlight key items that may be of interest to researchers in industrial archaeology.

One of the most common ways in which a researcher into industrial archaeology will be able to use records is as an aid to better understand various aspects of industry in particular localities.  A particularly useful set of records include the records of New Lanark Mills (GUAS Ref: UGD 42).  New Lanark in South Lanarkshire was founded in 1784 as a cotton spinning company.  Not only did the company produce cotton, but the town of New Lanark that developed around the mills was an experiment in education and community living, and throughout their history the company continued these ideas of social development.

The works at New Lanark finally closed in 1967 and is now a World Heritage site, with the archives being held at Glasgow University Archive Services.  Items of particular interest to the industrial archaeologist will include the descriptions of machines and processes that the company used, the correspondence relating to village and housing matters, and the photographs and plans that are contained within the collection.

Various other company and estate records can be exploited in a similar way.  Collections include the papers of British Alcan, aluminium smelters (GUAS Ref: UGD 347) and the papers of the Garscube Estate (GUAS Ref: DC 80) and other University related estate records.  These collections are particularly interesting as they show the relationship between the company, community and the environment.

Clydedock Engineering Ltd was established in 1977 as a private independent company to develop ship repair facilities.  Their dry docks, wet basin, yard and offices were situated in Govan, Glasgow.  In 2002, the company was still registered but as a non-trading company in Glasgow, with their archive being at the Glasgow University Archive Services (GUAS Ref: UGD 251).  The collection includes cost sheets, summaries and weekly returns files; contract and tender records; reports and work regulations agreements and manuals; publicity material and photographs and negatives 1988.

Records like these can be taken in conjunction with other industry specific holdings at GUAS and elsewhere.  Ship-plans, original specifications, photographs and employment records of workers can all help to give the industrial archaeologist a more comprehensive understanding of the industry.  This approach can be just as applicable with the records of the railway, mining and other industries.

Industrial Archaeologists may also wish to consider the use of an archive repository in order to safeguard their research for future generations.  The importance of the papers of the Glasgow Archaeological Society (GUAS Ref: DC 66), and the papers of George Thomson (GUAS Ref: DC 95) cannot be under-estimated (see also article about George Thomson, first published in Dunaskin News, May 2003).

If any readers are at all interested in any of the collections described above, just contact the Duty Archivist.