Ripon's Christina Hughes Bringing Historical Texts to Light

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Christina Hughes (left) spent her summer working with Lawrence University Spanish Professor Madera Allan transcribing, editing and translating testimony from 17th-century inquisitorial trials.

APPLETON, WIS. — (08/30/2011)(readMedia)--  A research project had Ripon's Christina Hughes traveling in a figurative time machine this summer.

The senior Spanish major at Lawrence University spent her summer transcribing, editing and translating testimony from inquisitorial trials held in Lima, Peru, a project that transported her from modern-day Appleton to 17th-century South America.

Based on her exceptional work in the classroom, Hughes, a 2008 graduate of Ripon High School, was approached for the project by Lawrence Assistant Professor of Spanish Madera Allan, whose scholarship interests include the inquisitorial trials.

"Christina was an obvious choice because she is gifted at deciphering old texts and hard working," said Allan. "In working with texts like these you need someone who is going to be fastidious, and she's certainly been that."

The goal is to use Hughes' transcriptions to create editions that will be posted on a website linked to the Lawrence library. The site will provide historical content and explain legal terminology as well as cultural and religious practices that emerged in the trials.

The historical importance of the project is significant. The testimony Hughes worked with has never been published before. Once the website is complete, Allan said it will be serve as a valuable resource for history students, Spanish scholars and people interested in Jewish history.

"These trial documents are sitting in archives in Madrid, hidden away and no one is reading them," Allan explained. "They're reading histories based on them, but not reading the actual texts. It's nice that there will be a website that will be accessible to all sorts of people who would never see these texts otherwise."

Hughes, the daughter of Sarah Hughes, Ripon, and William Hughes, Burnsville, Minn., called her summer project "an extraordinary learning experience."

"Working with these documents clued me in to how dynamic every text really is, from the writer's quirks to the loaded meanings of word choice to wrestling with the cultural implications of a translation," she said. "The independent nature of the work introduced me to the research process and necessitated a disciplined work ethic."

Hughes recently received a Harrison Symposium grant from Lawrence that will allow her to continue her "time travels." She and Allan will pack their bags for Madrid in December to conduct additional research as part of an independent study project.

"I'll be doing hands-on research in the national archives and national library," said Hughes. "Until now I've only worked with photocopies of this material. I'm looking forward to being surrounded by the originals in such a historic setting."

About Lawrence University

Founded in 1847, Lawrence University uniquely integrates a college of liberal arts and sciences with a world-class conservatory of music, both devoted exclusively to undergraduate education. Ranked among America's best colleges, it was selected for inclusion in the book "Colleges That Change Lives: 40 Schools That Will Change the Way You Think About College." Individualized learning, the development of multiple interests and community engagement are central to the Lawrence experience. Lawrence draws its 1,520 students from 44 states and 56 countries.

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