Making History.

 

Can you remember sitting on your grandfather's or grandmother's knee listening in awe as they reminisced, telling tales of their own childhood many years ago, tales of different times, a different lifestyle and a very different pace to our own.

For hundreds of years, word of mouth was the only way to pass on skills, knowledge, news and events that would become our history.

As language skills developed, the recording of information became increasingly important. Ancient cave painting, hieroglyphics, handwritten illuminated monastic manuscripts on parchment all preceded the development of the printing press. The printing press made the production of books easier and cheaper. As photographic techniques developed, recording and illustrating information in books on all subjects, not just history, became easier. Books were available to purchase or to borrow from libraries giving access to vast quantities of information to all.

 

Today's Challenges

 

Today we have the internet!

Now, exciting new and rapid developments in digital technology, computers, scanners and electronic transmission allow us to record, store and share information very easily and securely from a variety of sources for future generations around the world to enjoy.

 

Unfortunately, as each new technique develops, an older one becomes obsolete.

Camera and slide film is becoming increasingly difficult to obtain. Many photographic equipment retailers are not even stocking conventional film cameras in favour of digital cameras.

Material recorded, stored or viewed by those means, first of all becomes forgotten. Photos and slides deteriorate, albums gather dust, equipment wears and breaks and parts are unobtainable. Eventually all the unique records of our history contained within that collection is irretrievably lost to us all.

 

Many molinologists or mill enthusiasts have their own collection of of mill related records lovingly built up over many years, photographs depicting mills as they were at various stages of deterioration or restoration, many will be unique!

 

What causes us the most concern is that so many of these collections are lost for ever if for example, the owner dies. Many of our youngsters have never seen a photographic slide, let alone know how to view one! Old collections are split up or even dumped as being worthless - a lifetimes work wasted!

 

It's vital that these once treasured mill photos, slides and documents are rescued, restored if necessary, then scanned and permanently stored in digital format as computer archive databases to preserve snapshots of mill history for future generations to learn from and enjoy!

 

How You Can Help Us ......

 

Your old albums with photo's can gather dust, your slides of numerous mills are awkward to view -

Let experienced Members

copy and preserve YOUR collection