Letter, the archivist to a member, on the naming of a former property

Dear Mr Aleixo —

You ask why the older name does not appear in the printed catalogue, and whether something is being kept from you. Nothing is. The answer is duller than that and I will give it in full.

The land passed out of our hands in 1999 and is now a private residence. When the name was last printed, in a members' circular, the family living there received callers at the door, letters addressed to us, and on one occasion a photographer. They asked us, politely, to stop. We agreed, and the practice has been to omit the name from anything we print.

The earlier public transcriptions omit it as well, which I am told predates the request. I have not been able to establish why, and I would rather say so than invent a reason.

The name is not withheld from members who ask a steward. It is simply not printed. If you would like the papers, write again and I will tell you which boxes to ask for.

Yours, for the archive —