Memo+36+Letter+of+Introduction+to+Interviewees

I wrote this as a letter that I might send to a contact at an archive. However, I am not yet sure how appropriate it is or if there are any particular things one should or should not say in such a letter.

My name is Jessica Lyons and I am currently a doctoral candidate in the Department of Science and Technology Studies at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, NY. I am currently working on my doctoral dissertation, which studies piracy in the Caribbean and the Americas during the the sixteenth and seventeenth century. I am writing you to request your assistance in conducting research at the Such-and-Such Archive.

The focus of my research is the relationship between pirates and indigenous peoples, the development and economics of pirate ports, communication between individual pirates, as well as the role that piracy may have played in the development of western colonial science. The latter point would include any role piracy may have had in navigation, cartography, hydrography, medicine, botany or anything else that could be classified as science. I am looking for any correspondence or documentation dealing with any of these subjects. My current location has not allowed me first hand access to any relevant archives, and, as usual, the funds allotted to me as a graduate student are limited.

The time that I have to spend at Such-and-Such Archive is extremely limited and I would like to make the most of it. If you could offer me any guidance or direction in my search, I would very much appreciate it. If you cannot meet in person I would still appreciate any suggestions via telephone or email. I can be reached at Lyonsj2@rpi.edu or at (518) 555-5555. Thank you very much for your time.

Sincerely,

Jessica Lyons