Research notes, c.1920s-1970
- Component identifier:
- Series 7
- Content Summary:
-
There are four sequences of files within this series: a small group of early research notes; Braga's later 'General File' or 'A to Z'; his 'Special File' sequence; and three historical chronologies. Mainly comprising handwritten notes and citations, the files also feature some typescript notes, together with occasional cuttings of printed material and related papers.
The first set of early research notes, arranged alphabetically by topic, is a precursor to Braga's far more extensive 'A to Z' set of research notes. It appears that Braga began his practice of writing meticulous notes on historical topics that caught his interest soon after moving from Hong Kong to Macau (1924). These notes were placed in a ring arch file equipped with leather tabs; soon filling this file, he abandoned it, and continued the 'A to Z' in an extensive number of ring arch binders over the next forty years.
In addition to his 'A to Z', Braga created several 'Special Files' relating to five major research interests: Chinnery, Hong Kong, Macau, Malacca and Newspapers. These files were kept separately from the 'A to Z', probably as they were too large to be taken into the main body of his research notes. Braga also prepared three substantial and separate chronologies of significant events in world history and the history of the Far East, particularly focussing on events relating to Portugal, Macau and China.
Further bibliographical notes and chronologies of historical events are featured in the notebooks in Series 1. A number of the works cited in the research notes and notebooks as belonging to Braga are now held in the National Library's print collection.
[130 files]
- Immediate source of acquisition:
- The bulk of the Braga Collection (including manuscripts, pictures, maps, newspapers, serials, periodicals, monographs and ephemera) was purchased from J.M. Braga in 1966. The component held in the Manuscript Collection at MS 4300 appears to have been formally accessioned as the J.M. Braga Papers in 1975. Several small additions have been made since the original instalment of papers was received. Most of these additions were transfers to the Manuscripts Collection from other collection areas, including a file of newspaper cuttings in May 1975, a set of microfilm reels in 1984, a file of manuscript material in 1985, lists of the Braga Collection in 1994, and two files of assorted printed material and other papers in 2009. As well, several small additions have been made by members of the Braga family. In 1992, various Braga family members donated a copy of the eulogy and order of service for Augusta Braga's memorial service, and in 2002 Angela Braga donated photographs of medals and decorations awarded to J.P. Braga, together with photocopies of early writings of J.M. Braga and eulogies for J.M. Braga and his grandson Michael Braga.
- Subjects:
- History
- Names:
- Braga, J.M. (José Maria)
Contents
Access and use
- Parent Restrictions:
- Available for research.
- Parent Terms of Access:
- Copying and publishing of unpublished manuscript material is subject to copyright restrictions. For such material, written permission to publish must be obtained from the copyright holder(s). Copying of unpublished material for research purposes is permissible 50 years after the death of the creator of the material.
- Location of this collection:
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Parkes PlaceCanberra ACT 2600, Australia
- Contact: