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Problems and Prospects of Researching in the British and Brunei National Archives

Problems and Prospects of Researching in the British and Brunei National Archives. B. A. Hussainmiya Historical Studies Programme Universiti Brunei Darussalam. Archival Records in Britain and Brunei.

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Problems and Prospects of Researching in the British and Brunei National Archives

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  1. Problems and Prospects of Researching in the British and Brunei National Archives B. A. Hussainmiya Historical Studies Programme Universiti Brunei Darussalam

  2. Archival Records in Britain and Brunei • Both the UK and Brunei National Archives have rich collection of Brunei historical materials in the form of colonial records, correspondence, memoranda, official reports, newspapers, gazettes, private papers etc.; Many historians have consulted the British sources while only a few accessed the Brunei Sources. The UK National Archives (formerly Public Records Office=PRO) is by far the best place on earth to do research on Brunei historical matters in the modern period. It is well and long established providing free public access to all researchers. Besides, the records are well kept and extensively catalogued which are now available on line. Copies of the documents are easy to obtain at a cost. • The Brunei National Archives do not duplicate much of the records kept in Britain, but possesses some unique records which are critically important to study the local perspectives on Brunei History.

  3. Aims of this Paper: • Importance of Archives for Historical Research. • Relative merits of Records in the British and Brunei Archives. • Prospects and problems in the Archives for prospective researchers. • To provide some suggestions for the local archival administration.

  4. Some Common Functions of Public Archives • * constitutes the memory of a society, and enables that society to make informed decisions based on the evidence of past experience; Reinforces MIB ideology in Brunei • * provides documentary evidence of the respective rights and obligations of government and individuals • constitute a source for a society’s understanding and identification of itself. Reinforcing Brunei’s Jati Diri aspirations • * professional leadership of the country’s records, managers, archivists and information specialists • * government information specialist and primary advisor on information matters.

  5. References for Scholars • Almost all serious writings on published on Brunei history are mainly based on records from the British National Archives • Nicholas Tarling, Donald Brown, Graham Saunders, Anthony Horton, Greg Poulgrain and others rely upon U.K. archival records. • Brunei history researchers for their post-graduate degrees use extensively similar records. Haji Matasssim Jibbah, (M.A.) Dato Paduka Haji Eusoff Agaki(M.Phil), Dr Haji Mohd. Yusop Damit,(PhD), Dr Haji Abdul Hadi Melayong (Ph.D), Dr. Nani Abubakar(PhD) to name a few. (All works remain unpublished (except Dr Hadi’s)

  6. Sources of UK National Archives- (Formerly Public Records Office) • British Colonial Office • Foreign Office • Dominion Office • Commonwealth Office • War Office • British Foreign and Commonwealth Office • British Admiralty • British Cabinet papers • Memoirs and papers of British Leaders

  7. Some Sample Records on Brunei in the British National Archives CO 943 Brunei (1946-1951), Original Correspondence. CO 1022 South- East Asia Department, Original Correspondence. CO 1030 Far- Eastern Department, Original Correspondence. DO 35 Dominion Office , Original Correspondence. FO 12 Borneo and Sulu, Original Correspondence. FO 572 Borneo and Sulu, Prints of Correspondence. FCO 15 Foreign and Commonwealth Office Series on Brunei

  8. Sample Screen shot from British National Archive Web Page

  9. A Sample List of Catalogue on Brunei at the UK N.A.

  10. AVM Horton’s List of documents 'destroyed under statute' • COLONIAL OFFICE CORRESPONDENCE RELATING TOBRUNEI 'DESTROYED UNDER STATUTE' 1906–1934 • Horton highlighted documentation relating to Brunei during the period 1906–1934 which has been 'destroyed under statute'. The data have been derived from the Registers of Correspondence (CO 352/7 and CO 777/1–3). • It is clear that a vast amount of material has been weeded out; and the researcher cannot but regret the loss of these papers. Some of the destruction was pure vandalism. On the other hand, the clues contained in the remaining indices, whilst seldom conclusive in their own right, may on occasion offer a vital pointer.

  11. Unavailable Documents due to • 30 year Rule- Not always consistent • Weeding out sensitive documents affecting UK Security matters? • Embargo of specific documents for 50 years or 100 years • Missing files unaccounted Anyway no special problems as available records are copious and mostly comprehensive

  12. Setting up of the Brunei National Archives • The National Archive was created in 1977 under the administration and management of the Museum Brunei Department. The introduction of the National Archive is in accordance with the National Archives Act, 1975 revised 1983, and was fully enforced on August 1, 1981. • Brunei became a member of the International Council on Archives (ICA) in 1981 and the Southeast Asian Regional Branch of the International Council on Archives (Sarbica) in 1984.

  13. Main Brunei Repositories • The Brunei National Archives • The Brunei Museum • Pusat Sejarah • Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka (Malay Manuscripts) • Universiti Brunei Darussalam • Ministry of Foreign Affairs • Sultan Haji Omar Ali Saifuddien- Foundation(Under construction)

  14. The Importance of Brunei NationalArchives • The safekeeping and safety of priceless archival records as primary sources are of great importance to the NationalArchives of Brunei Darussalam. • The NationalArchives is home to some 260,000 documents or more, books and other materials of historical value and national interest, with some dating back to as early as 1888. • The Brunei National Archives plans to build a centre for record management and reference services for "semi-active and inactive records", provision of services online and digitisation of selected archival materials. At the same time, it will continue to strengthen the national collection through material collection, study and research.

  15. The Multiple Use of the Local Archives • Conservation of archival materials is important for education and research about national history as well as for improving government effectiveness, integrity and honesty and in upholding the fundamental rights of individuals.It is important for people to be aware of the importance of archival materials so that by knowing one's nation's history one can develop a sense of patriotism. • The challenge facing Brunei National Archives is the need for support in strengthening the institution, increasing awareness on the importance of preserving records and archives, audio visuals and electronic records management. • Adequate Funding and Hiring of Documentation Experts • Professional Commitment and Enthusiasm among the Staff

  16. Indexes in Brunei National Archives SUK Records ( State Secretary Office later merged into Setia Usaha Kerajaan Records) Brunei Residents’ Office records Gazettes Newspapers (Salam, Borneo Bulletin, Daily Star, Pelita Brunei, and others) Private Collections and Other Government Notifications

  17. S.U.K Indexes • It has 5 series of indexes Series no.1 • Archives list no. from: BA/11945/1978 to BA/14313/1978 • File no. from: BRO/1908/C to 1975 • Year record: 1908 to 1975 • Available record: 1908, 1913 – 1915, 1918 – 1925, 1929 – 1941, 1946 – 1975 • Total record: 2911 • Total box: 280

  18. SUK Series No 2 Series no.2 • Archives list no. from: BA/5567/1978 to BA/5650/1978 • File no. from: - • Year record: 1922 to 1971 • Available records: - • Total records: 86 • Total box: 18

  19. SUK Series no.3 • Series no.3 • Archives list no. from: BA/1983.1.0001 to BA/1983.1.4314 • File no. from: BRO/8/46/pt.IV & R.O. Brunei No.93/07 to SUK/406/81 • Year records: 1907 to 1981 • Available records: - • Total records: 4327 • Total boxes: 425

  20. SUK Series no.4 • Series no.4 • Archives list no. from: BA/1983.2.0001 – BA/1983.2.1186 • File no. from: 0007/46 to SUK/433/1978 • Year record: 1946 to 1978 • Available record: 1946 - 1952, 1954, 1958 - 1974, 1977 - 1978 • Total records: 1210 • Total boxes: 92

  21. Series no.5 • Archives list no. from: BA/1983.3.1187 to BA/1983.3.1557 • File no. from: SUK/359/1947/Temp.A to SUK/420/1979 • Year record: 1947 to 1979 • Available records: 1947 – 1948, 1950 – 1962, 1964, 1966 – 1967, 1969 – 1971, 1973 - 1979 • Total records: 375 • Total boxes: 31

  22. Kumpulan Rekod-Rekod SUK It has 3 set of folders: • Accident report • Brunei Malay Regiment • Building Bangunan • Bomba • Brunei Arts and crafts • Brunei/Sarawak • Brunei Student Union • Community Service Council • Coronation • Constitution • Education/pelajaran • Ekonomi/Economy • Elektrik • Enactment (rules & regulation) • Executive council meeting Folder 01

  23. Folder 02 • Forest/Perhutanan • Imigresen • Istana • Japanese • Kampong Sungai KianggehTamu • Kastam & Eksais • Kehakiman • KerjaRaya • Kuala Belait • Girl Guides • History of Brunei • Hospital • Land Committee Meeting • Laut • Legislative Council • MajlisMesyuaratAdatIstiadat • Mesyuarat Daerah Daerah • MesyuaratMenteri • Military and Naval Records • Minutes of State Council Meeting • Minutes of Development Meeting • Minutes of District Council Belait

  24. Continue: Folder 02 • Minutes of Brunei-District Advisory Council • Minutes of Tutong District Advisory Council • Minutes of Meeting of Temburong District Advisory Council • Minutes of Religion Council • Mosque • MuziumDalamdanLuarNegeri • Notification • Pelabuhan • PenghuludanKetua Kampong • PengangkutanDarat • Perikanan • Persatuan-Persatuan • Pertanian • Petroleum • Pilgrimage • Polis Diraja Brunei • Pos

  25. Folder 03 • Queen Elizabeth II • Report/Laporan • Resettlement • Religious Affairs • Road/Jalan Raya • RumahJerambak • RumahSemaun • Scout • Silver Jubilee • Silversmith • Speeches • Sport • Sultan of Brunei • SuratKeliling/Circular • Tanah • Temburong • Tutong • Ukur • Visit

  26. Agreement and other Documents (perjanjian) There are 3 folders: • File 17A – recorded in August 1999 • File 35 – recorded in October 2001 • File 36 – recorded in January 2007 • For example, ANB/SP.1976.001 – PeristiharankeranamemberhentikanPentadbirantentera British di Negeri Brunei Agreement (1946) • Note: Each folder was index by years for example 2000, 2002, 1992, 1993

  27. SenaraiKoleksi Poster 1978 – 2006 The lists are indexes by years from1978 to 2006 Example; No. : ANB/PS/2006.105 Received on : 4thOctober 2006 Title : “KOD 486” RasuahDihina, MaruahDibina. Publisher : Biro MencegahRasuah.

  28. A Page from the Brunei State Council Minutes, November 1907- Brunei National Archive

  29. Source : Brunei Times, 27 November 2007 Some Problems and Grievances of the Users • THE National Archive lacks a proper catalogue and computerised database system that have hindered amount and level of research. • Use of any form of electrical equipment for copying purposes not allowed. • difficulty in being able to write up large amounts of information for a project by hand. • The documents and files are located in piles of boxes and the staff have to go through the reference number on the boxes to identify the documents or files needed. It shows that the facility does not have a proper filing system in shelves instead they are stacked in boxes.

  30. Suggestions for Local Archive Development • To be user friendly: Online access information • Increased Budgetary Allocations for Archival holdings • Recruitment of competent Archivists • Transferring departmental Archives under the National Archives Act to the main repository • Sorting and Weeding documents • Hiring professional staff to identify and catalogue crucial documents for research • Publication of indexes • Publication of primary sources • Publicity for public awareness of Archival use etc;

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