Vademecum

thematic database of documents from public and private archives in Spain and other
European and iberian American countries.
it is disappointing, however, that the number of ecclesiastical archives is not included (chapter
1.3), because their collections could provide rich broad materials for the study of the period
(for instance, Cardinal Goma’s archive, deposited in the toledo Archdiocese General Historical
Archive). Apart from the scarce information about their contents, access is not generally
allowed to documents from the past 75 years onwards.
on the contrary, other institutions´ archives (chapter 1.4), mostly of a private nature, offer a
great range of documentary, audiovisual and audio materials, mainly of foundations. these
archives contain collections, partly digitalized and accessible via internet, from the political,
trade union, cultural, and economic realms. Besides access to these collections, sometimes
these entities may facilitate contacts with eyewitnesses (especially those from the political
and trade union realms).
the vademecum also lists research centers, both academic and non-academic, that focus on
20 th century Spanish history (chapter 3). together with the organization of exhibitions and
conferences, the production of online databases and publications, many have also
specialized collections and libraries.
the last part of the vademecum explicitly focuses on historical memory compiling the most
outstanding topic-related associations, sites of memory and virtual resources. the number of
groups and associations trying to preserve the memory of social and political groups is vast.
therefore, the purpose of the vademecum was to point out the most significant ones, covering
the widest spectrum as possible: from those who vindicate the memory of each side in the
Civil War to those who vindicate the preservation of military architecture and historical heritage.
So chapter 4 gives a general view, limited though, of various vindications, but, in the case of
associations of victims and their relatives, they may be of help for those who seek eyewitnesses
and participants in different cases.
the chapter on places of memory (chapter 5) only presents the most significant or elaborate
(for instance, museums or full trails), obviating the numerous commemorative plaques and
sculptures. Also vast are the virtual resources related to Civil War and Francoism (chapter 6).
the internet and new technologies undoubtedly serve as a place for commemoration as well,
as they try to compensate for their absence in public spaces. Given the number of initiatives
and their differences in historical rigor, the vademecum considers those web pages backed
by official public and academic entities, among which are databases of the disappeared and
victims or maps of mass graves.
the vademecum compiles just a part of the initiatives that have sprung up in connection to
historical memory and reflects the evolution of society on this issue in the past years. However,
its preparation would not have been possible without the enthusiasm and the assistance of
many persons and institutions. my most sincere acknowledgement goes to them.
FoRewoRd
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