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were set up to facilitate research - in fact the opening of these facilities makes one realize how much the earlier researchers had to fend for themselves, as it were. On the other hand, the rise of a new generation of scholars brought up and educated locally substantially changed the direction of the study.
The Public Records Office
The Public Records Office, Hong Kong's first public archives was opened in 1972. "Some of the materials forming the basis of the collection were extremely valuable for historians, including the Rates Collection Books series dating back to 1858, and Land Office records, which consist of village rent rolls and 90-100,000 Surrendered Title Deeds. Over the years its holdings have grown tremendously as records are transferred from government departments. In addition, because of its controlled conditions and professional management, some private institutions have also deposited their archival records there. The PRO library also houses a rich collection of English language newspapers published in Hong Kong and China Coast, either in the original or on microfilm. With the introduction of the 'Thirty Years Rule' in 1994 and the Code on Access in 1995, public records are now more accessible to the researcher.
Hung On-To Memorial Library
In 1974, the Hung On-To Memorial Library was set up at the University of Hong Kong with a view, indeed ambition, to build a comprehensive collection of all materials published in Hong Kong and related to Hong Kong. It began by gathering materials which had been scattered through the general library and its Chinese library. Then it made an all-out search for materials to complete its holdings of government publications, theses, periodical articles, company records, association reports, and books listed in bibliographies but not in the library. Another invaluable early acquisition was the microfilm copy of the Colonial Office General Correspondence series (CO129) on Hong Kong, purchased from the Public Record Office in the UK.
Since then it has enlarged its collection many times over, it both actively acquires materials and receives all books registered in Hong Kong. The many rare and original materials, such as manuscripts, and special holdings,