A 19th-Century Diary Now Digitally Preserved
Can you read this attractive handwriting? This is the diary of Alexander Robertson. Born in Dundee on July 2, 1845, Alexander embarked on an incredible journey in 1869, setting sail for Shanghai and documenting his travels around the world. His diary provides a vivid account of life at sea, detailing the events on board, the ever-changing weather, and precise latitude and longitude coordinates of his voyages.
A New Chapter for an Old Diary
Thanks to the generous support of Digital Drama, we have been able to scan Alexander Robertson's diary using a high-quality scanner. This digital preservation effort ensures that more people can access and read this fascinating document without the risk of over-handling the fragile original. Moreover, it serves as a safeguard, preserving the diary for future generations in case of any unforeseen disaster.
A Call for Transcribers
Alexander’s handwriting, while beautifully ornate, poses a challenge to modern readers. This is
where we need your help. If you have an interest in history and a bit of time to spare, we invite you to assist us in transcribing his diary. Your efforts will help make this valuable document more accessible to researchers, historians, and the general public. To learn more about how you can contribute to this exciting project, please send me an email to staithesmuseum@gmail.com
Your participation in this project not only helps us unlock the secrets of Alexander Robertson's
travels but also ensures that his story can be shared and appreciated by many. Thank you for your dedication and enthusiasm in bringing history to life.
Here is the diary itself: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Z18RTHBg1bKDXNmW05r6jiy2YMOB7cD9/view?usp=drive_link
And if you fancy a remote volunteering opportunity, here is some information about how to transcribe it: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1XSjOPM6Jo14RhE4XJBLBRvrjxvMlLXZPI7oMAs75NrM/edit?usp=sharing
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