London Socialist Historians Group
17th December
Contact LSHG Organiser Dr Keith Flett 07803 167266
Does History Cost Too Much? Historians defend Paper Archives
The London Socialist Historians Group, which organises the socialist history seminar at the Institute of Historical Research, has said that a Ministry of Justice proposal to scrap paper archives of Wills and associated documents is misguided.
The historians say that while digitisation of records improves access, it is far from clear that electronic archives currently have the security to withstand system issues and ransomware attacks.
Paper Archives can be lost or damaged as well and the historians say a combination of digital and paper records is prudent until it becomes clearer in the future that electronic archives are robust enough on their own.
The Ministry says that the cost of keeping paper records is £4.5m annually
LSHG Convenor Dr Keith Flett said, Wills are an important part of family history and reach out to wider areas of historical research. Easier access is welcome but the security of the archives is key. Given how keen the Government is on keeping all of ‘our island story’ for posterity a cost cutting measure is an unacceptable short term proposal.
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/easier-access-to-historic-wills-under-new-government-plans
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