Archives Fundamentals Flashcards
What are the three definitions of archives?
- The building where they are housed
- Act of putting documents into permanent storage
- The records themselves
What is the definition of archival records?
Primary sources, accumulated by individuals, businesses, or organizations, with evidentiary or administrative value
What are some types of records created by businesses?
Employee records, invoices, advertisements, catalogues, financial records
What are some types of records created by governments?
Tax records
Land records
Legislation
Policies
What are some types of records created by individuals?
School records Employment records Photos Journals Art
What are some examples of people who use archives?
Engineers Researchers Genealogists Lawyers Authors/Artists
What are the three types of archives and what kind of records do they collect?
Institutional - of the parent body
Collecting - public, theme
Total - all
What is provenance?
Origin
Keep records of the creator together, not mixed with others
What is original order?
Preserve the organization or the records as established by the creator
Learn from context instead of applying own
What are the three characteristics of archival records?
Natural by-products of life
Generally primary source material
Trustworthy
What does it mean for a record to be trustworthy? (5)
Created at time of event Creator known and trusted Info is static Records are complete Context is maintained
What is the definition of archival fonds?
The whole body of documents created or accumulated by an individual family, corporate body, or other agency, retained because of their value as evidence or functions and activities
What is the definition of Respect des fonds?
Provenance + Original order
Records from one creator kept together, not mixed, order is maintained
What are the 7 core functions of archives?
Acquisition Accession Appraisal Arrangement Description Access Preservation
