January Virtual Presentation The Historic Value of Diaries: Intimate Histories
Monday, January 10th, 2022
On Friday, January 28, from noon to 1:00 p.m., join us for the Georgia Archives January virtual presentation from the Fourth Friday From the Archives series, “The Historic Value of Diaries: Intimate Histories” by Georgia Archives Education Specialist Penny Cliff.
Using examples from journals that can be found online in the Georgia Archives Virtual Vault, and diaries in private collections at the Georgia Archives, Penny Cliff will give a presentation of the importance and value of using diaries as historical testimony for genealogists, historians, researchers, and anyone interested in these open and candid histories. Examples taken from the journal of nineteen-year-old Frances Few include her observations on President Thomas Jefferson, and the wife of fourth president James Madison, Dolley. Among other observations, Few notes, “Mrs. Madison is a handsome woman [who] looks much younger than her husband.”
Cliff has worked in the archives and history fields for 23 years, including as director of a county archives, and assistant professor of history. She has been the Education Specialist at the Georgia Archives for over four years. Cliff received her BA in History with a minor in Communication from Mercer University, and her MA in History with a concentration in Archives from Georgia College and State University.
