Wikipedia:Meetup/Ireland PRONI Somme Editathon February 2015

The anniversary of the 1916 Easter Rising currently preoccupies attention in the Republic of Ireland, and is steadily garnering attention in Northern Ireland and the rest of the United Kingdom. Another event of critical cultural importance in both jurisdictions is the centenary of the Battle of the Somme,which will be commemorated in July of this year.

The 36th Ulster Division famously went into battle on the first day of July and suffered an estimated 5,500 casualties, both officers and men, creating a mythology which matched that of the 1916 Rising for the people of Northern Ireland. Later that month, however, the 16th Irish Division, a counterpart division to the 36th, was sent to the Somme valley and played an important part in the capture of the towns of Guillemont and Ginchy, while also suffering appalling casualties. After the war, the heroic efforts of the 36th Ulster’s formed part of an enduring legacy, which would be celebrated in Northern Ireland, whereas the 16th Irish would be largely forgotten as it formed part of a narrative which had no place in post-war nationalist Ireland.

This event will be held in conjunction with PRONI for the purposes of encouraging historians and researchers to contribute to Wikipedia’s growing outreach in the area of Irish history, particularly during the Decade of Commemorations. We invite all interested parties to attend our Editathon on Thursday 4th February, 2.30-5.30 pm, in the Main Conference Room. We will host two speakers, followed shortly by an editing session where we will demonstrate how to write and edit Wikipedia articles which will have a special emphasis on places, events and persons connected with the Battle of the Somme.

We all know that anybody in the world can edit Wikipedia, adding new articles, expanding existing ones, correcting facts and getting involved in the discussion behind some Wikipedia articles. But have YOU done it? If you did it already, come and share your knowledge with us. If you didn’t, come and learn with us. On the day, we’ll have three members of the Wikimedia Community Ireland-Joseph Quinn, Rebecca O’Neill and Shannon Eichelberger to guide our steps. The event will begin with two 20-minute talks related to the Battle of the Somme.

The 36th Ulster Division and the legacy of the Somme in Northern Ireland by Carole Walker, Director of the Somme Museum, Newtownards

'Primarily, I felt I was fighting for Ireland': The 16th Irish Division at the Somme by Dr. Joseph Quinn, Trinity College Dublin

All are welcome, no editing experience is necessary and the event is free.

How to Prepare

 * CREATE A WIKIPEDIA ACCOUNT (if you don't already have one)

Please set up an account before the event if at all possible. Very few details are needed: a Username, password, and we recommend giving your email, if only to be reminded of your password when you forget it. The short Tutorial/Registration explains why this is a good idea.

If you like, you can also learn a little about editing ahead of time here: w:en:Wikipedia:Tutorial, or see Getting started on Wikipedia for more information

To participate you will need to bring along a laptop or tablet, WIFI will be provided.

Participants
If you have made at least one edit, please sign your name below using the signature tool or using ~

Attendees (in person)
Please Sign your name below using the signature tool or using ~
 * 1) Sameichel (talk) 14:34, 4 February 2016 (UTC)

Online participants
Online participants from anywhere are very welcome, whether experienced or not. For a basic editing tutorial see Tutorial, and Ten Simple Rules for Editing Wikipedia is short, and full of good advice. Or try this one - four modules, taking one hour it says. Online participants who can't join us in person are welcome to list themselves below with # ~

Stubs
Articles that are short and need expansion

Cleanup
Articles that need references, infoboxes, sections, inline citations, ect
 * 16th (Irish) Division (needs more sections and general cleanup)
 * Ulster Tower (citations)

Expansion
Longer articles that could be improved
 * Eric Norman Frankland Bell
 * James Emerson
 * Ernest Seaman
 * Norman Harvey
 * Edmund De Wind
 * William McFadzean
 * Geoffrey Cather
 * Robert Morrow
 * Royal Irish Fusiliers