Anticipation is more than a hit song by Carly Simon. It’s what I’m living with every day now, and patience is not one of my favorite virtues, but I’m learning. That said, I’m also learning that there are many aspects to completing research for a well written, well rounded account of an historical event. While I’m a person who loves to share and to educate others, I’m finding that one of the most important tasks is safeguarding your resources. I tend to be very eager and impulsive, and with this project I feel a bit like Alice fallen down the rabbit hole. Thanks to Stephen Harding I’ve ended up at the ultimate tea party. Learning and sharing information is a huge geek-out moment for me, and the blog gives me the most awesome forum. People are reading it, and again that appeals to the ego of someone like myself who is a newbie at this with a lot to learn. Dialing back my enthusiasm a notch or two is essential to this process. I wish it were possible to share the intimate details of what we are about to experience, when we experience it. Sharing too much could endanger the endeavor, so in the interest of keeping the information and the project safe I will pass along some tidbits along the way while keeping things fairly general.
Part of the process that I can share involves translation of the Japanese script that was on many of the artifacts Hugh Barr Miller, Jr. brought back with him from Arundel Island. I was allowed to take photographs of the artifacts, many with Japanese script covering the surface. I’ve included a couple of photographs of these artifacts, but only those without script. Protecting the work means keeping the items safe from outside translation or contamination from others not involved with the project. Within the script could be information that adds depth and character to the story. In the interest of extracting the information, a translator has been secured who will endeavor to unlock any mysteries within the script. So far some really wonderful information has come to light, including personal insights into the men in the Japanese troops. When the book comes together and all the pieces are woven together it will produce an amazing story.
Many of you are somewhat familiar with more external aspects of the story of Miller’s ordeal on Arundel Island. Through the research and story-telling abilities of an author experienced in making history come alive on paper, we will all see a whole new side of the story of both the ship and the man. This is the journey we are undertaking and the result will provide closure for many of us who have worked on this for many years, even decades.
On a more current note, I have nearly completed the cleaning of some rather moldy documents from Miller's family, and am securing them in archival plastic. No translations needed here, but you can't work with documents that have the potential to make you sick. Lots more data to extract here and it must be done safely.
- Tammi
Part of the process that I can share involves translation of the Japanese script that was on many of the artifacts Hugh Barr Miller, Jr. brought back with him from Arundel Island. I was allowed to take photographs of the artifacts, many with Japanese script covering the surface. I’ve included a couple of photographs of these artifacts, but only those without script. Protecting the work means keeping the items safe from outside translation or contamination from others not involved with the project. Within the script could be information that adds depth and character to the story. In the interest of extracting the information, a translator has been secured who will endeavor to unlock any mysteries within the script. So far some really wonderful information has come to light, including personal insights into the men in the Japanese troops. When the book comes together and all the pieces are woven together it will produce an amazing story.
Many of you are somewhat familiar with more external aspects of the story of Miller’s ordeal on Arundel Island. Through the research and story-telling abilities of an author experienced in making history come alive on paper, we will all see a whole new side of the story of both the ship and the man. This is the journey we are undertaking and the result will provide closure for many of us who have worked on this for many years, even decades.
On a more current note, I have nearly completed the cleaning of some rather moldy documents from Miller's family, and am securing them in archival plastic. No translations needed here, but you can't work with documents that have the potential to make you sick. Lots more data to extract here and it must be done safely.
- Tammi
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