I have been using Stirling Council Archives for rather longer than I care to confess. It continues to astonish me, what treasures and pleasures, surprises and delights, the records can reveal.
On the other hand, like other archive users, I am usually looking for information on a particular topic. Whilst much of what I find is extraneous to the search; however interesting in itself, it will be set aside when I come to write up results for publication.
But I was recently reminded of a find, from many years ago, which revealed a quirky story, insights into some aspects of life in early 18th century Stirling and also, most vividly for me, the almost entirely arbitrary chances of documentary survival. The story I have always carried in my mind, in fact, is that most records of the past do NOT SURVIVE!
You can find my thoughts, with images of several of the documents themselves, at
http://www.stirlingarchives.scot/2026/08/01/serendipity-a-letter-of-october-1706-found-in-the-papers-of-stirling-burgh-court/
On the other hand, like other archive users, I am usually looking for information on a particular topic. Whilst much of what I find is extraneous to the search; however interesting in itself, it will be set aside when I come to write up results for publication.
But I was recently reminded of a find, from many years ago, which revealed a quirky story, insights into some aspects of life in early 18th century Stirling and also, most vividly for me, the almost entirely arbitrary chances of documentary survival. The story I have always carried in my mind, in fact, is that most records of the past do NOT SURVIVE!
You can find my thoughts, with images of several of the documents themselves, at
http://www.stirlingarchives.scot/2026/08/01/serendipity-a-letter-of-october-1706-found-in-the-papers-of-stirling-burgh-court/
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