24-March-2010
Yesterday I met with Dr. Carter to go over my research proposal. For my class project, I am focusing on Ivory Moore’s “Town and Gown” column in the local Commerce newspaper, for more details see my previous post titled research proposal and follow the link. A few days ago I began my research by e-mailing Cheryl Westhafer (the libraries local historian). Here is the e-mail:
Cheryl,
I was hoping to come by Wed. morning and do some research on Ivory Moore's "Town and Gown" column from the local paper. Does the library have those? Best JP Sloop
Now Before I give her reply I want to share something I’ve learned about research….Gordon B. Hinckley, one of the past presidents of the Mormon church, gave the following quotation in a conference, he said, "Life is just like an old time rail journey ... delays, sidetracks, smoke, dust, cinders, and jolts, interspersed only occasionally by beautiful vistas and thrilling bursts of speed. The trick is to thank the Lord for letting you have the ride." I’m not trying to advocate a religious experience here, but I find this analogy to work well for research as well. It will all become clearer after you read Cheryl’s response to my previous e-mail, here it is:
Hi,
Yes, we have some-but not all- of the newspaper columns. I'm out today with a virus (or the plague, I'm not sure which). I'm feeling a little better, but you might want to call first tomorrow to make sure I'm there.
I have a little info for you regarding Lebanon Cemetery as well.
Cheryl
“Yes, we have some but not all…” My original plan was to do a comprehensive coding of all of the articles that Moore had written. Setback number one…now I have to re-formulate my approach as well as the parameters of the study. This is not completely disastrous however because I can still address why the library doesn’t have them all and I may be able to find the others in another location. Oh and did I mention Cheryl was sick yesterday and the first time I went by this morning she wasn’t there? Delays, sidetracks and smoke…more later, I am going to call before I make a second trip.
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Thank you for sharing this apt analogy. The "beautiful vistas and thrilling bursts of speed" might refer to those moments when you reach through the archives and suddenly feel the pulse of a human life or a galvanizing moment in history. I'm sure once you get into the archived columns, complete or otherwise, you will find plenty of "good sidetracks" to guide your research.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful! So very common, I'm afraid.
ReplyDeleteBut here's this: I am pretty sure that the University Library has all the Commerce Journal issues on microfilm. It isn't ideal (can't even print from these), but it is a start. You might ask the folks at the university archives if we have a complete collection of the Commerce Journal.
I'm going to ask Jim Conrad to join us again very soon, so pile up those questions.