Day 1: Archivo General de Indias

I would like to say that my registration worries were for naught, but, alas, they really were not. That process at the AGI today was as challenging for me as I had feared. Perhaps my fears made it so, but perception is reality ... and that was my perspective.

The details of my inability to understand the several officials with whom I had to deal are unnecessary ... I will never have to endure that process again, and ultimately I was granted a permit to enter the Salon de Investigacion ... that hallowed place in Sevilla where researchers are allowed to handle, read and transcribe original documents pertaining to Spain's colonies in the New World. Using the AGI's online index, I had already identified two legajos (boxes) of documents pertinent to my thesis, and with the help of an archivist I ordered both of them (each researcher is allowed to order two boxes at a time). After a wait of 30 minutes or so, my legajos were brought up on a cart, and I went up to the desk to retrieve the first box: Justicia 1095. The friendliest of the officials handed me the first batch ... a stack of documents dated 1547, neatly bundled together and tied with a ribbon. I felt like I had been given a treasure, as, indeed, I had.

Dr. Francis had prepared us well ... we all know archivo protocol; I reverently untied my documents and began to read. From the first page, I could see that the documents were important for my project. Using a laptop (which researchers are permitted to bring in), I began to work; by 3 o'clock, when the AGI closes, I had transcribed a little more than six pages of 16th century Spanish ... I was delighted with this! I think as I become acquainted with this difficult scribal hand, my speed and accuracy will increase.

I'm off to bed ... I have to get up at 6:30 to be at the AGI by 8:15!