Wednesday 11 May 2022

Mass Observation Diary Day

Here's something to do tomorrow........ if you are interested..............................

  In 1937 Mass Observation called for people from all parts of the UK to record everything they did from when they woke up in the morning to when they went to sleep at night on 12th May. This was the day of George VI’s Coronation. The resulting diaries provide a wonderful glimpse into the everyday lives of people across Britain and have become an invaluable resource for those researching countless  aspects of the era.

.http://www.massobs.org.uk/images/may12th_4.jpg

They are still doing this every year. The last two years during the pandemic will be particularly useful for people doing research into how people behave and think in a crisis and what should be done by government in any future pandemics.

 Anyone can join in

 http://www.massobs.org.uk/write-for-us/12th-may moa@sussex.ac.uk 

Please don’t include your real name, contact details, or the personal details of the people mentioned in your diary. Please remember that these diaries will be read and used for research and teaching, so please don’t include anything that may identify you or others. You should include a brief self portrait: your age, where you live, your relationship status, your present job or occupation if you are working and any other information that you think is important to record.

 Include the following statement at end of diary “I donate my 12th May diary to the Mass Observation Archive. I consent to it being made publicly available as part of the Archive and assign my copyright in the diary to the Mass Observation Archive Trustees so that it can be reproduced in full or in part on websites, in publications and in broadcasts as approved by the Mass Observation Trustees. I agree to the Mass Observation Archive assuming the role of Data Controller and the Archive will be responsible for the collection and processing of personal data and ensuring that such data complies with the DPA.

 The Mass Observation Archive
University of Sussex
The Keep
Woollards Way
Brighton
BN1 9BP  

 

Hope I can remember tomorrow morning.

Back Tomorrow
Sue


12 comments:

  1. Thanks for that reminder, Sue. I'll be joining in.

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    1. Must get paper and pen ready or I'll forget!

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  2. I have never heard of the Mass Observation. I am fascinated by the gathering of all those diary entries. Maybe I ought to send in my own.

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  3. I've just reread the three volumes published from the vast output of Nella Last, 'Housewife, 49' from Barrow. I'd recommend then to anyone, especially Nella Last's War. The details of her housekeeping are fascinating.

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    1. Love those books although I've not re-read them for years

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  4. OOOH Sue. first time at the blogs ( mine or anybody else) for weeks and up comes this post. I wonder if I can get organised enough to do this. Such an interesting project, of which I was unaware. Can I organise myself enough to do this when I don't seem to be able to just to a simple blog?! I'm going to try. I will get a few sheets ready today and and give it a go. Thanks for the heads up. Hope all well with you Sue.
    Gillx

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    1. Hello Gill . Hope we both remember to do this - I've never managed it before despite knowing about it for years

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  5. I might do this if I remember certainly a good idea.

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    1. Yes it's the remembering first thing in the morning that's the problem

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  6. Good lord...never heard of that one before...I have white lilac envy by the way. x

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  7. I remember you writing about this last year. It is a brilliant way to record the everyday activities of people for history. Can you imagine how interesting it would be if we had such a diary from 200 years ago! I wish they did this in our country.

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  8. What an interesting project which will give lots of study information.

    God bless.

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