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Corporate Newsletter

Guiding Principles for Presenting History

By acknowledging and learning from the past
We give direction to the future.

• History can be interpreted and presented in many ways depending on the information available and the values and views of those presenting it. Therefore historical knowledge is often provisional and statements about the past may be hypotheses rather than infallible pronouncements.
• History links the past with our present and thus helps to shape our future.
• History is not simply about great people and great events; rather we are all historical actors who have helped to shape our past and will guide our future.
• History is not a featureless ocean known as ‘the olden days’.  We should all endeavour to tell one historical era, and one culture, from another in order to better understand the values and heritage of diverse groups and individuals over time.
• History bears witness to the past and must therefore address contentious and contested issues even when they make us uncomfortable..

DOING YOUR OWN RESEARCH

The History Trust of South Australia has a resource centre and Library specialising in all aspects of South Australia and South Australian History.

Of particular interest is the Glass Negative Photographic Collection – a collection of 14,000 images taken by official South Australian photographers spanning the period 1890-1960s.

Images from this collection can by ordered from the History Trust of South Australia.

A sample of these slides can be seen by pressing onto our slide show link

Our research library is not available for loan. Researchers interested in viewing our materials are encouraged to come into our reading room in the library to view them. Researchers, historians, students, authors and the general public can use the library by appointment. Our reading room is on the first floor Torrens Parade Ground on Victoria Drive in the city of Adelaide.

Our staff will be happy to assist you as you pursue your historical research by guiding you in the best use of our resources and suggesting other resources that may assist your research.

All enquiries should be directed to:

Ms. Lynn Drew
Information Resources Manager
History Trust of South Australia
GPO Box 1836, Adelaide SA 5002
Telephone 8203 9873; Fax 8203 9883 or email ldrew@history.sa.gov.au

Genealogical Research:  We are unable to respond to genealogical research enquiries and suggest you try one of the following links:  National Archives of Australia at www.naa.gov.au; The South Australian State Library at www.slsa.sa.gov.au;  The Australian War Memorial at www.awm.gov.au; (SA) Genealogy Society at www.chariot.net.au/~saghs