Transcriptions, 1930-1971

Component identifier:

Series 12

Content Summary:

Manuscript, typescript, photocopy, microfilm and photographic copies of historical documents, primarily relating to the history of the Portuguese in Asia.

Much of Braga's historical research involved obtaining, transcribing and translating copies of historical documents from libraries and archives, particularly Portuguese institutions such as the Biblioteca da Ajuda (Ajuda Library), the Sociedade de Geografia de Lisboa (Lisbon Geographic Society), the Arquivo Histórico Ultramarino (Overseas Historical Archive) and the Arquivo Naçional da Torre do Tombo (Portuguese National Archives).

These letters, reports and other documents were mainly written by government officials and missionaries, and primarily originated from Portuguese colonies such as Macau, Goa and Malacca, as well as China. Most of the documents are in Portuguese, and date from the 16th to the 20th centuries, although for many the date that they were transcribed by Braga is unknown.

The series has been arranged into three subseries: manuscript and typescript transcriptions of historical documents; microfilm and photographic copies of historical documents; and manuscript and typescript transcriptions of the 'Ásia Extrema' codex.

Further papers relating to transcriptions, including correspondence regarding the process of locating, transcribing and translating these documents, is found throughout the collection, particularly Series 3, 5, 6, 7 and 16.

[48 files + 17 reels]

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