Re: [GRN] Update about Goa Archives

'Carvalho' via Goa-Research-Net Wed, 03 May 2023 00:55:11 -0700

 Dear Jules,
We must look strange going around with our cameras photographing gravestones. 
LOL. 
I think digitisation of those records is the need of the hour and somehow an 
appeal must be made to the government to make this a priority. They could even 
make it a paywalled site earning thousands in foreign currency because so many 
Goans abroad want to trace their roots.
Take care,Selma    On Wednesday, 3 May 2023 at 08:15:08 BST, Jules Fausto 
Mendonca de Sa <faustodes...@hotmail.com> wrote:  
 
 Hi Selma,
I have been reading the posts regarding your visit to the Goa archives with a 
great deal of interest and it is not far off from what I highlighted to you in 
a post a couple of months earlier. Since 2009 - I have made at least two visits 
to archives on each of my trips to Goa and have seen no improvements or 
modernisation. I have been  given to understand that no major funding has been  
provided for the maintenance of this valuable resource - which an organisation  
like ancestry.com, Myheritage.com or family history.com would gladly assist. 
The latter had undertaken work on goa Church records from 1914 to 1996 which 
were initially microfilmed but now digitised. The same could be done for 
records at the archives meaning that the books could be copied and stored away 
with access given via screens set up within the Goa archives. Anyone wishing to 
avail of records from the comfort of their homes either locally or overseas 
could take up a subscription which could be used for this maintenance. I do 
believe that there is some scope for this. I am aware that some records are 
available via a Goa Government link but these are no use to people like me who 
does not have an Aadhar Card or Indian cell No.Many suggestions but requiring 
the will.
Kind regards
Fausto PS. I do agree that many old tombstones carry a wealth of information 
and this has been a valuable resource for me in my genealogical work. My wife 
often jokes that whilst people take pictures of scenic beaches - my camera is 
full of gravestones after a visit to Goa.
Sent from Outlook
From: goa-research-net@googlegroups.com <goa-research-net@googlegroups.com> on 
behalf of Crispino Lobo <cslo...@gmail.com>
Sent: 02 May 2023 02:17
To: goa-research-net@googlegroups.com <goa-research-net@googlegroups.com>
Subject: Re: [GRN] Update about Goa Archives Hi Selma,Would be grateful if you 
could also send it to me - cslo...@gmail.com.Thank you.Crispino Lobo

On Mon, 1 May, 2023, 9:26 PM 'Carvalho' via Goa-Research-Net,
<goa-research-net@googlegroups.com> wrote:

Certainly, John, I'll email it to you privately.
Warm wishes,Selma
On Monday, 1 May 2023 at 16:43:34 BST, John de Figueiredo
<johnde...@sbcglobal.net> wrote:

Dear Selma,Please get the name and contact information of the person who helped
you. He/she is precious.Best wishes,John

Sent from my iPhone

On May 1, 2023, at 2:25 AM, 'Carvalho' via Goa-Research-Net
<goa-research-net@googlegroups.com> wrote:

Dear all,
Thank you for the numerous helpful response regarding Goa Archives. I did
indeed visit the Goa Archives. I arrived at 10am and sat patiently for an hour.
Eventually someone recognised me as the writer and hastened my entry into the
archive hall. This office defied any semblance of modernity and had an
estranged relationship with technology. By some antediluvian method, I ordered
a documented assisted by person who recognised me. I then took a seat and
awaited said document. I sat in a hall full of men who pored over centuries-old
documents with their arms spread on these books, brandishing felt pens, the
documents spine straddled without support. After I saw this, I felt nausea
creeping up and tried to avoid eye contact with anyone, most of all the clerks
in the room.
I sat for another one hour and could see all the peons chatting but no document
had arrived. I went to the head clerk and asked about the possible arrival of
my book. He nodded to a peon, they laughed, and one frail creature departed on
his search with all the enthusiasm of a man being led to the guillotine.
Finally he returned clutching the holy grail of a book but when I took custody,
it was the wrong book. I went to tell the manager who sat in a class cabin with
the surly look of a government officer, pressing a buzzer to summon people. He
dismissed by not looking up. I did not wait for the right document because had
it arrived, I could neither photograph it nor photocopy it. I would have to
make an application for the record and collect it 15 days later. So I left.
Every department, institution and organisation of governance in Goa (and
unfortunately I have had to visit many) is a failure of efficiency, procedure,
custody and care. We are light years away from any semblance of modernity and
our sense of Goan exceptionalism is utterly misplaced.
The story does have a happy ending. The man who recognised me researches
records for a living and I shall simply hire his services.
Take care,Selma

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Re: [GRN] Update about Goa Archives

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