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1 year ago in Archival Research , Economic History By Shobha
What kinds of historical source materials would discuss or document the commercial exploitation of turtles during the 1700s?
I need to identify primary source genres for archival research. Beyond passing mentions, where would I systematically find data on catch volumes, trade routes, regulations, or the cultural perceptions of turtle hunting as an industry in that period?
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By Kunal Answered 1 year ago
From my archival work, you'll want to target several key source types. First, colonial administrative correspondence often discusses regulations and revenues from fisheries. Second, mercantile ledgers and customs house records in port cities list imports of turtle shell and meat. Third, ship's logbooks and captain's journals detail hunting grounds and methods. Finally, the papers of naturalists and plantation owners contain observations on species and their economic use. I've found that cross-referencing these sources in archives like the UK's National Archives or the Maritime History Archive builds the clearest picture of this exploitative industry.
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