The collection contains both the correspondence of missionaries overseas since the foundation of the Society and the minute books of committees and correspondence of the officers at home during that time.
Baptist Missionary Society Archives
This material is held atRegent's Park College Archives, University of Oxford
- Reference
- GB 469 BMS
- Dates of Creation
- 1736-[ongoing]
- Physical Description
- Approx. 500 metres of mss in boxes and volumes; 10 map drawers of maps; 32,600 photographic images, both prints and lantern slides. Many documents very fragile. Consultation of microfilm copy often preferred.
Scope and Content
Administrative / Biographical History
Baptist Missionary Society formed in 1792. From 2000 called BMS World Mission.
Arrangement
Missionary correspondence arranged by continent/country and alphabetically by name. Home correspondence arranged approximately chronologically.
Access Information
By advance appointment, preferably in writing, with a reference from either a minister or an academic. Normal hours: Mon-Fri, 09.30-16.00, but sometimes closed when neither Librarian nor Archivist available.
Other Finding Aids
Printed catalogues of missionary correspondence of missionaries died or retired before 1914.
Conditions Governing Use
Within the law, at the discretion of the Archivist or the Librarian.
Custodial History
The archives of the Baptist Missionary Society, founded in 1792, were deposited with the Angus Library, Regent's Park College, in 1989.
Accruals
The Society regularly deposits minute books and correspondence files once they are 30 years old.
Bibliography
The History of the Baptist Missionary Society 1792-1992, by Brian Stanley. T and T Clark, 1992. ISBN 0567096149.