Hostname: page-component-586b7cd67f-tf8b9 Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-25T20:14:08.188Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

Archival Odyssey: A Study of the Problems of the Researcher in Using The Methodist Church Records of Nigeria

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  13 May 2014

G.B. Alegbeleye*
Affiliation:
University of Ibadan

Extract

Methodism was introduced into Nigeria as a result of the separate missionary activities of the Primitive Methodist Church and the Wesleyan Methodist Church, both from Britain. In 1962 the Nigerian Methodist Church gained her autonomy from the British Methodist conference. The checkered history of the Methodist church in Nigeria has affected the organization of the records of the church and consequently researchers' access to and utilization of these records. An attempt is made in this paper to examine critically the problems that might face the scholar who intends to use Methodist church records in Nigeria for research purposes. Ways of overcoming these problems are suggested.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © African Studies Association 1987

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

Notes

1. Olowokure, J.O., “Christianity in Ijesha Land, 1958-1960” (M.A. dissertation, University of Ibadan, 1970)Google Scholar; Ekechi, F.K., “Missionary Enterprise in Igboland, 1857-1914,” (Ph.D, University of Wisconsin, 1969).Google Scholar

3. Ayandele, E.A., “Missionary Impact on Modern Nigeria, 1842-1914.” (Ph.D., University of London, 1969)Google Scholar; Fajana, A., “The Evolution of Education Policy in Nigeria, 1842-1939,” unpublished ms, Ibadan.Google Scholar

4. Ajayi, /Ayandele, , “Emerging Themes in Africa and West African Religious History,” Journal of African Studies, 2 (1974)Google Scholar

5. Fajana, , “Evolution.” 546Google Scholar

6. Afolayan, K., “Egbado and Yoruba-Aja Power Politics, 1832-1894.” (M.A., University of Ibadan, 1967), 217.Google Scholar

7. Matthews, Noel and Wainwright, M.D., A Guide to Manuscripts and Documents in the British Isles Relating to Africa, (London, 1971), 8185Google Scholar; Matthews, Noel, Guide to Materials for West African History in the Archives of the United Kingdom (London, 1973), 71107Google Scholar

8. R. Seton, personal communication, 1980.