Collection 03-012 - Meta Incognita collection

Title and statement of responsibility area

Title proper

Meta Incognita collection

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    • Source of title proper: Title based on the contents of the collection.

    Level of description

    Collection

    Reference code

    03-012

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    Edition statement of responsibility

    Class of material specific details area

    Statement of scale (cartographic)

    Statement of projection (cartographic)

    Statement of coordinates (cartographic)

    Statement of scale (architectural)

    Issuing jurisdiction and denomination (philatelic)

    Dates of creation area

    Date(s)

    • 1991-2000 (Creation)
      Creator
      Meta Incognita

    Physical description area

    Physical description

    1.1 m of textual records
    1 VHS tape
    1 cassette tape

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    Archival description area

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    Administrative history

    Meta Incognita was a project initiated to bring new light to the Arctic voyages of Martin Frobisher and to show the significance of these voyages for the histories of North America and Britain. With the guidance of the Meta Incognita Project Steering Committee, an Archival Research Task Force (ARTAF) researched archival documents in Britain and Europe and compiled their research into a two volume publication Meta Incognita: A Discourse of Discovery: Martin Frobisher's Arctic Expeditions, 1576-1578. The publication was edited by the chair of the Steering Committee, Professor Thomas H.B. Symons, and was published in 1999. (Taken from Meta Incognita: A Discourse of Discovery: Martin Frobisher's Arctic Expeditions, 1576-1578. Vol. 1. Canadian Museum of Civilization, 1999).

    Custodial history

    Collection was in the custody of Ann Shirley before it was donated to Trent University Archives.

    Scope and content

    Collection includes the agendas, minutes, and correspondence of the Meta Incognita Project Steering Committee and the Archival Research Task Force (ARTAF). Also included are ARTAF research materials, reports, transcripts, notes, etc. relating to an American Historical Association meeting and a Trent University conference which focused on the subject of Frobisher and his Northwest initiatives.

    Notes area

    Physical condition

    Immediate source of acquisition

    Fonds acquired in 2000 from Ann Shirley.

    Arrangement

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        Restrictions on access

        Restrictions: Box 6 is restricted. This material may not be photocopied or quoted directly without appropriate consent.

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        General note

        Box 1

        Folder:

        1, 2, 2a: Meta Incognita Project Steering Committee: Record of Discussions, 1990-1998

        3: Archival Research Task Force (ARTAF): agendas, minutes and correspondence, 14 July 1992 - 31 August 1993

        4: as above, 1 September 1993 - 25 February 1994

        Box 2

        Folder:

        1: as above, 28 February 1994 - 16 October 1994

        2: as above, 27 October 1994 - 27 July 1995

        3: as above, 12 August 1995 - 27 December 1995

        4: as above, 13 January 1996 - 25 June 1996

        5: as above, 1 July 1996 - 17 February 1997

        6: as above, 1 March 1997 - 1 January 2000

        7: Meta Incognita Project Steering Committee: minutes, 1990-1998

        8: ARTAF: records of expenses, 18 September 1992 - 5 December 1998

        9: Sources used by Ann Shirley for a report regarding C.H. Hall and the Frobisher voyages

        10: Research reports:
        ARTAF research report #1, by Robert Baldwin, relating to Sir Martin Frobisher's three arctic voyages, submitted to the Meta Incognita Project Steering Committee 25 February 1994
        Robert Baldwin's report on research done for ARTAF between 22 July 1993 and 4 September 1993
        Research report by Robert Baldwin, "The Metallurgical Experience of Jonas Schutz"
        ARTAF research report #2, by Robert Baldwin, regarding a Frobisher house exhibit, submitted to Meta Incognita Project Steering Committee on 8 March 1994

        11: Research reports, continued
        ARTAF research report #3, by Bernard Allaire, regarding the range and use of drugs on Frobisher's ships, submitted to committee on 27 June 1994
        Report by Robert Baldwin regarding Harleian Manuscripts
        Research report, by Robert Baldwin, "Findings in Barn Staples and London"
        ARTAF research report #4, by James McDermott, regarding the finances of Frobisher's voyages, submitted to committee 1 November 1994
        Research report #5, by James McDermott, regarding the account books of Michael Lok, submitted to committee 2 November 1994

        12: ARTAF research report #6, by James McDermott, regarding Dartford Furnaces, submitted to committee on 13 February 1995
        ARTAF research report #7, by Kirsten A. Seaver, "Baffin Island Walrus Mandibles and Iron Blooms," submitted to committee on 31 March 1995
        ARTAF research report #8, by James McDermott, "The organization of the Frobisher Enterprise," submitted to committee on 20 June 1995
        ARTAF research report #9, by James McDermott, regarding the life and endeavors of Michael Lok, submitted to committee on 15 August 1995
        Research report #10, by Bernard Allaire, regarding methods of assaying ore, dated September 1995

        13: ARTAF research report #11, by Bernard Allaire and Donald Hogarth, regarding Frobisher and "spying", submitted to committee 2 February 1996
        Research report #12, by James McDermott, regarding Frobisher as a hero, submitted to committee on 11 March 1996
        Research report #13, by Kirsten A. Seaver, regarding Inuit-European contact, submitted to committee 1 June 1996

        14: ARTAF research report #14, by Bernard Allaire, regarding the French reactions to Frobisher's endeavours, submitted to committee on 1 September 1996
        ARTAF research report #15, by Ian Friel, regarding Frobisher's ships, submitted to committee after September 1996
        ARTAF research report #16, by James McDermott, regarding the navigation during Frobisher's voyages, submitted to committee 23 January 1997

        15: ARTAF research report #17, by Sir James Watt, regarding the medical climate surrounding the voyages, submitted to committee 19 February 1997
        ARTAF research report #18, by Sir James Watt, regarding medical records and the Frobisher voyages, submitted to committee on 19 February 1997
        ARTAF research report #19, by Robert Baldwin, regarding the "metallurgical aspects of Frobisher's voyages", submitted to committee on 11 April 1997
        ARTAF research report #20, by William Sherman, regarding John Dee's role in Frobisher's enterprise, submitted to committee after April 1997

        16: ARTAF research report #21, by Dr. Richard Ruggles, regarding the geography of the Northwest Passage

        17: Printed transcriptions of Fenton's Journals, done by Jim McDermott. Also, rough notes and correspondence

        Box 3

        Folder:

        1: Transcripts of some pages from the Public Records Office E. 164/35, by David and Alison Quinn, regarding Lok's Accounts. Also, transcript of the Account books of Michael Lok, by James McDermott. As well, transcripts by A.M. Quinn on the accounts of Lok 1578. Papers regarding general research topics of Frobisher. Tape cassette about Frobisher's Arctic Voyages 1576-1578. Tape is of Malcom Billings (free-lance journalist) talking with Canadian and U.S. scholars on site in Kodlunarn.

        2: Notes, correspondence, and reports regarding the American Historical Association's 109th meeting in Chicago on January 5-8, 1995. The subject of this meeting was Frobisher and the Northwest Initiative. Additionally, a video tape of Dr. Helen Wallis (February, 1995), called "Reminiscing"

        Box 4

        Folder:

        1: Conference about Frobisher, held at Trent University, May 1997, includes notes, correspondence

        2: ARTAF's list of sources pertaining to reports done on Frobisher's arctic voyages. Also, a collection of entries relating to "Frobisher's Arctic voyages from Calendar of State Papers." Transcripts of "Calendar of Letters and State Papers relating to English affairs." Notes by D.B. Quinn on aspects of Frobisher's voyages. Report listing files found in the National Archives of Canada relating to Frobisher. List of manuscripts and government records in the U.K. and Ireland relating to Frobisher's voyages.

        3: Documents that appear on ARTAF's list of sources pertaining to Frobisher's voyages

        4: ARTAF correspondence regarding Frobisher's voyages and the publication "Discourse of Discovery, "17 May 1997 - 24 August 24 1999

        5: Documents and correspondence regarding D.D. Hogarth's paper "Martin Frobisher's Northwest Venture, 1576-1581: mines, minerals, and metallurgy." Also, a draft copy of the paper.

        6: Two Smithsonian reports: an archeological survey from Kodlunarn Island, 1981, by William Fitzhugh; an archeological report on Frobisher voyages and the European-Inuit contact, done in 1991, by William Fitzhugh of the Smithsonian Institution.

        7: Reprints of articles used by researchers for the Meta Incognita project. They include:

        1. Quinn, David Beers, and William C. Sturtevant. "The New Prey. Eskimos in Europe in 1567,1576, 1577"
        2. Kenyon, Walter. "The Canadian Arctic Journal of Captain Edward Fenton, 1578"
        3. Chesire, Neil, Tony Waldron, Allison and David Quinn. "Frobisher's Eskimos in England"
        4. Savours, Ann. "Early Eskimos"
        5. Parry, G.J.R. "Some Early Reactions to the Three Voyages on Martin Frobisher: The conflict between humanists and protestants"
        6. Wallis, Helen. "England's Search for the Northwest Passages in the Sixteenth and Early Seventeenth Centuries"
        7. Hogarth, D.D. "Discovery of Martin Frobisher's Baffin Island "Ore" in Ireland"
        8. Hooh, Duncan R., and David R.M. Gaimster. "Trade and Discovery: The Scientific Study of Artifacts from Post-Medieval Europe and Beyond"
        9. Auger, Reginald, William Fitzugh, Lynda Gullason and Ann Henshaw. "Material Evidence from the Frobisher Voyages: Anglo-Inuit Contact in The North American Arctic in the Late Sixteenth Century"
        10. Nance, R. Morton. "The Ship of the Renaissance"
        11. Watt, Sir James. "The Surgery of Sea Warfare from The Gallery to the Nuclear Age"
        12. Watt, Sir James. " Surgeons and Sea Power in Early Mediterranean History"
        13. Watt, Sir James. "Some Forgotten Contributions of Naval Surgeons"
        14. Cule, John, and Mario Gomes Marques. "The Great Maritime Discoveries and World Health"
        15. Watt, Sir James. "Surgeons of the Mary Rose: The practice of surgery in Tudor-England"
          16.Watt, Sir James. "The Health of Sailors in European Voyaging Towards Australia"
        16. Watt, Sir James. "Forgotten Lessons of Maritime Nutrition"
        17. Collison, Richard. "The Three Voyages of Martin Frobisher"

        Box 5

        Folder:

        1: More reprints of articles used by researchers for the Meta Incognita project. They include:

        1. Walmsley, Ann. "The Mysterious Activities of Martin Frobisher"
        2. Hogarth, D.D. "Martin Frobisher's 'Gold Mines' on Kodlunarn Island and Adjacent Baffin Island, Frobisher Bay, NWT"
        3. Hogarth, DD., and John Loop. "Precious Metals in Martin Frobishers "Black Ores" From Frobisher Bay, NWT"
        4. Hogarth, D.D., John Loop and W.A. Gibbins. "Frobisher Gold on Kodlunarn Island - Fact or Fiction?"
        5. Fitzhugh, Williams W. "Archeology of The Frobisher Voyages: Regional Surveys and European-Inuit Contact Studies, 1992 Field Report"
        6. Jackson, Donald Dale. "Hot on the Cold Trail Left by Sir Martin Frobisher"
        7. Kohl, J. G. "Substance of a Lecture Delivered at the Smithsonian Institution on a collection of charts and maps of America"
        8. The British Museum. "Trade and Discovery: The Scientific Study of Artifacts from Post Medieval Europe and Beyond"
        9. Walmsley, Ann. "Frobisher's Ill-starred Gold Mine"
        10. Klingelhofer. "Three Lost Artifacts from Frobisher's Colony, 1578"
        11. Becher, A.D. "The Voyages of Martin Frobisher"

        Copy of Meta Incognita: A Discourse to Discovery. Martin Frobisher's Arctic Expeditions, 1576-1578. Vol. 1&2

        Box 6

        Research material copied from other archival collections. (Note: This material may not be photocopied or quoted directly without appropriate consent).

        Loose on shelf beside Box 6

        Three roles of copied manuscripts from other archival collections.

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