Liberia digital archives launched
http://www.liberiapedia.com/LiberiaPedia/Home.html

Website features history, the humanities

Washington, DC - April 23, 2010 - The history and heritage of one of Africa's most vibrant countries is now only a mouseclick away, thanks to a just launched website.

LiberiaPedia.com provides internet users wherever they are access to several rich collections of facts and stories on Liberia, Africa's oldest
republic.

The website is intended to aid Liberia's recovery from almost 20 years of civil war, according to its founder,Prof. C. Patrick Burrowes of Pennsylvania State University at Harrisburg.

"Elections and investments are important," he said, "but long-term stability requires tolerance, compassion, and critical thinking, all of which come from sustained encounters with the humanities."

The website features four databases,with others to be added soon:

• A collection of 100+ folk tales from the 1950s. Through the power of the internet, these stories can now be shared with children scattered throughout the Liberian diaspora - and beyond.

• An index of actions taken bythe Liberian legislature between 1847 and 1940. There are laws here covering everything from adultry to witchcraft. But, lots and lots of average people are also listed as trustees of churches, ferry operators and pensioners, making this a treasure trove for social historians and genealogists.

• A glossary of Liberian English. This collection is likely to be as dynamic and ever-changing as Liberian English itself because it will incorporate suggestions from users. But, be warned: Some entries may be inappropriate for sensitive readers.

• A database on 15,000+ African-Americans who emigrated to Liberia between 1820 and 1904. There are answers here to many questions: When were they born? Where were they from? When did they leave? Where did they settle? What were their family connections?

Although intended foruse by general audiences, all data on LiberiaPedia.com has been vetted for inaccuracy in keeping with scholarly standards. After visiting the site, please leave comments in the guestbook.


LiberiaPedia's Founder Journalist and scholar C. Patrick Burrowes is the authorof Power and Press Freedom in Liberia (Trenton, N. J.: African World Press, 2004) and co-author, The Historical Dictionary of Liberia (Lanham, Md.: Scarecrow Press, 2001).

His commentaries, articles and other writings have appeared in a
variety of media, including The New York Times, the Philadelphia Inquirer and the Milwaukee Journal, as well as Crisis,Essence and Emerge magazines.