General File or A to Z, c.1930s-1970

Component identifier:

Subseries 7-2

Content Summary:

Braga's 'A to Z' is a set of 'biobibliographical' research notes that he compiled to support his diverse range of historical interests – principally the study of the history and development of Macau, Hong Kong and the region, but also general scholarship, including philosophy, astronomy, geography, medicine, science and religion. These notes formed a vade mecum that was in constant use throughout Braga's long career as a researcher, writer and public speaker.

Braga's focus was primarily (but not exclusively) biographical, and it is here that his 'A to Z' is at its strongest. The notes on early Portuguese involved in Far Eastern affairs are of particular value. His general approach to a subject was to give a thumbnail sketch of a career, often noting any relevance to Macau, and adding detailed bibliographical information for any relevant publications.

The 'A to Z' was compiled over a period of some forty years, appearing to have commenced in the early 1930s. Braga seems to have added few entries to the 'A to Z' during war years, particularly 1942-1945. He set to work again vigorously after World War II, and the index grew to some 8000 pages, greatly augmented during a visit to Lisbon in 1952. Occasional additions were made while Braga was working in the National Library of Australia, particularly from 1968-1970. At that time he also re-read and added annotations to earlier entries.

Most entries are in English. The usual length is a single quarto page, neatly written in Braga's miniscule handwriting, but some are much longer. Other entries in the 'A to Z' are less comprehensive, with some notes comprising a single bibliographical citation. The entries are arranged alphabetically by topic, as kept by Braga. The file titles are based on the first and last entries in each file.

[111 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