GSC NOTES AND QUERIES:
WARFARE IN ATLANTIC AFRICA, 1500-1800:
From John Thornton
Millersville University
I am presently engaged in research for a book on warfare in Atlantic Africa, 1500-1800 and have decided to do a limited search for material in the Dutch archives found on microfilm at Northwestern. I am particularly targeting the NBGK series where the Elmina Journal is recorded. I would like to try to identify sections where wars are mentioned, including descriptions of operations, supply management, troop recruitment, outcomes, means, timing, routes and management of the export of captives. I am not envisioning a comprehensive project, and much of my work is likely to be based on more readily available book and travellers' accounts, but I would like to have as much specific information as possible. Although I expect that most of the Dutch sources will refer to the Akan region, I would welcome any information on nearby areas as well (earlier research I did for a project dealing with Benin found some on Sabe in vols. 81-5 of NBKG).
I am looking for advice, references or anything else that would help me to maximize the effort of a search that has limited time and resources. I would also welcome suggestions about how the scholarly community, perhaps using on-line technology might be able to assemble some sort of calendar of Dutch and Danish archives as a first step to making those voluminous material available to a larger audience.
Write to: John Thornton, Department of History, Millersville University, Millersville, PA 17551 USA.