Basic Definitions Flashcards
fonds
whole of the records created (sent or received) by a physical or juridical person by reason of its activity, and preserved by the creator or legitimate successor(s) for further action or reference
document
recorded information intended to communicate; message fixed to a medium; semantic and syntactic
form
the whole of the document’s characteristics that can be separated from content; physical or external & intellectual or internal
documentation
procedures that result in fact being recorded
diplomatics
discipline which studies the genesis, forms, and transmission of archival documents and their relationships with the facts represented in them and with their creator in order to identify, evaluate, and communicate their true nature
What is the purpose of diplomatics?
determine the authenticity of archival documents in order to establish their authority and relationship to acts and facts
legal authenticity
a document is legally authentic when it is attested by an appropriate authority
historical authenticity
a document is historically authentic if the events portrayed took place or the content is true
diplomatic authenticity
the record is what it purports to be and was created when it was purported to be created and by whom it was purported to be created
What are the elements of record trustworthiness?
authenticity, reliability, and accuracy
how is authenticity determined?
identity and integrity -> free from tampering and is what it purports to be. authenticity must be protected
how is reliability determined?
completeness and control. are all of the formal elements present? was it created with proper controls? reliability is established at the moment of a document’s creation, it is static
authentication
declaration of authenticity by an authorized person at a particular time; may take the form of a statement, seal, stamp, or symbol; establishes legal authenticity
transaction
an expression of will with an effect recognized by a juridical system, two or more persons involved and changing or renewing some state.
juridical system
set of rules and conventions that govern a particular society or group
juridical relevance
something is juridically relevant if it has consequences within a juridical system
facts vs. acts
acts are where actions that happen were the expected outcome of will
public
acts or fats with purposes or consequences relating to society at large; governed by public law; relationship between individuals/groups and the state
private
acts or facts with purposes or consequences between individuals or groups; governed by private law
transaction
expression of will with an effect recognized by the juridical system; two or more persons
reliability
happens at the moment of a document’s creation; consists of controls and completeness; never gets less reliable based on time since creation
controls
element of reliability; restrictions on who can produce certain records
completeness
element of reliability; requiring the record to display necessary forms and be complete; things like signature and date guarantee content; date establishes relationship between the writer and the fact; date may consist of time (chronological date) and place (topical date)
public/private document: archival perspective
public or private nature is determined by the creator (the person who made or received it and kept it) - in whose fonds does the document reside?
public/private document: diplomatic perspective
determined by the relationship of the document to its author; whose will is expressed and what is the nature of that intention? A document issued by a public person in that person’s public capacity is public
record
modern diplomatic definition: a document created in the course of a practical activity and as a byproduct of it
classic diplomatic definition: a document that constitutes the written evidence of a fact having a juridical nature, compiled in compliance with determined forms, which are meant to provide it with full faith and credit
