Funding translation of ancient Dutch to help unlock historical material
The Quinn Foundation has funded numerous projects through the New Netherland Institute (NNI). The NNI supports the translation of 17th century Dutch documents through the New Netherland Project. The NNI also provides internships and various learning opportunities in the study of Dutch history of Colonial America. For more information click
here.
BACKGROUND
The translation of Ancient Dutch records began over 70 years ago. However, due to lack of funds, the translation of the first four volumes were not published until later by the Holland Society. This publication generated interest in having the thousands of pages of remaining manuscripts translated and published. Sixteen volumes have been translated with several more in preparation. Once completed, the series will contain 24 volumes of official manuscripts for use by researchers. The primary role of the New Netherland Project has been to continue the translation and publication of this series dating from 1636 until 1674. Most history of early Colonial America either dismisses New Netherland in a few lines or relies on English sources which portrays the Dutch colony from an adversary’s point of view. This historical neglect has been mainly due to the fact that Dutch sources have been inaccessible because of the lack of translations of the mass of materials which survived from New Netherland. The New Netherland Project was formed in 1974 under the sponsorship of the New York State Library and the Holland Society of New York.
www.nnp.org/nni/Research & Education/Maps_files/descriptions.htm#18