This paper continues an annual series commenced within the pages of the Chiropractic Journal of Australia which celebrates the life of Mary Ann Chance as a woman of chiropractic, being the daughter of Dr Hugh Chance and close to BJ Palmer. Mary Ann, or MAC to her friends, guided with her husband Rolf Peters the CJA for some 30 years until her sudden death
This 2020 Memorial Paper is written by a quiet achiever in the field of chiropractic history, Alana Callender. First, an English teacher. Then, a librarian. And then a historian.
This paper is published in the ‘historical narrative’ style based on insights gained during the research and teaching processes. Dr. Callender has produced numerous historical articles and books over her career. Her capstone work, Dr. Palmer: Chiropractor, World Traveler, Author, Lecturer, Civic Leader, Mother and Wife, will be published by the Association for the History of Chiropractic in 2020.
Excerpts: Correctly writing history is a task perhaps more arduous than writing a report that ticks the current boxes for a ‘research report,’ whatever its level of complexity. To write a ‘good history’ requires the historian to remain grounded with simple solutions or conclusions; more often than not they might just be the right ones. Do not necessarily discard simplicity in favor of something ‘elegant’ or ‘complex.’
Librarians. Ah, yes, librarians. Visit them, call them, write them, e-mail them. Reference librarians, in particular, love the chase. They are trained detectives. Be concise and clear in what you want answered and note the avenues you have already exhausted.
These abstracts were published with the permission of the publisher; click on the above link for free full text. PDF Version
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