Archives

Arquivo Historico Ultramarino

Arquivo Historico Diplomatico

Torre de Tombo National Archive

Biblioteca Nacional

So after a slew of postings describing our excellent adventures in Portugal, we thought it was time that I posted images of the archives where I did my work - just in case the Fulbright commission is checking up on us!! Anyway, I spent a lot of my time at these places often leaving Michelle at dawn just to be the first in line to get in and see the documents. Alright, not really. But, I did spend a lot of time at the Biblioteca Nacional, where the lady who runs the microfilm room was particularly nice to me, the Arquivo Historico Ultramarino, the Torre de Tombo national archive, and less time at the Arquivo Historico Diplomatico. All of the people at these places were very nice to me. I couldn't take pictures of any of these places from the inside but most of them have pictures on-line in case you want to view an archive. Basically there are tables where you sit and wait after making a request for a box (caixa) or a book (livro). Then a very nice person brings you the document and you take notes, make copies, or turn it back in. At the end of the day you hope that you've taken clear enough notes that you can actually refer to them in the papers that you plan on publishing later. This is my work. Fortunately, the archives in Lisbon are all a bit old and therefore quite charming, although also cold during the winter because they don't have heating like most buildings here!!