Using archives for dissertations

What are archives?

Archives are collections of primary sourcesDocumentsPhotographsMapsNewspapersFilm and sound etcCan be held by a wide variety of institutions and individualsArchives and record officesBusinesses, companies and organisationsChurchesPrivate individualsAre unique

2Different kinds of archivesThe National ArchivesRecords of central government and the central criminal courtsOther NationalsBritish Library, Houses of Parliament, etc.County Record OfficesRecords relating to the administration of the historic county and other local materialUniversity archives Material collected to support research and teaching and other material related to the administration of the UniversitySpecialist archivesFor example, businesses, charities, churches, organisations, etc.Private and family collectionsPapers relating to families, individuals, estates etc

What are archives?Not organised/categorised in the same way as booksDont fall into neat categoriesHow they have been collected or created is part of their storyKey is the creator or creating bodyWho might have created the record? Where might it be?Remember to think around the subjectRemembernot everything has survivednot everything is keptnot everything is easy to find

An example

Archival material by its very nature tends to be unique defies easy categorisation which means that not always easy to find.

Key is to think of the creator or creating bodyExample:

School records created by the school, which come under the relevant Local Education Authority, which are bodies which fall under the remit of the local council which means that they will normally be found in the relevant county record office.

If interested in Education policy, then need to look elsewhere. This is laid down by a government department so most high level policy material will be found in The National Archives

But need to remember that Not everything has survived. Some things destroyed by accident, some on purpose Not everything has been kept cant keep everything. Someone has to make a decision about what is selected for permanent preservationNot everything is easy to find4Where do I start?

Secondary sources

Databases and online resources

Other media

TutorsResearching: finding archival materialArchive cataloguesEach archive will have own catalogueNot all onlineNot all completeNational Archives Search the ArchivesAccess to ArchivesARCHON

Finding archival material is not always easy There is no one overarching archive catalogue each archive has its own catalogue But this is not necessarily complete and is not necessarily available online This means that you may have to visit the archive in person to access the catalogues and finding aids

6Researching: finding archive material

Own materialOther collections

Access to Archives (A2A)

National Register of Archives

ARCHON

Choosing a topic: things to bear in mindWill you be able to read the sources?Styles of writing/palaeographyAre there any alternatives? E.g. calendars, transcripts, translations etcMight not be in EnglishMight not be released

Will you be able to get access to the sources?

Will you be able to read the sources?Handwriting changes over time. Can you read it? Do you have time to learn how to read it? Are there any calendars, transcripts or translations available?

Is it in English? subject focus might have an overseas element might be held overseas

Is it open for inspection? some material is not open immediately some material is closed for longer periods of time some are in private hands

All these issues can be overcome but they do need to be taken into consideration.

13Visiting an archiveContact before visitOpening times, ID, facilities, advance orderingGo preparedPaper, pencils, laptop, camera, referencesClothes choose carefully!Be organisedCheck references, take full notesAsk for help

Use Archon to contact archive before a visit - check opening times, what ID you need to takeDo they have advanced ordering? Some archives allow you to request documents in advance so they are ready when you arrive. This can save valuable time. To do this, it is essential that you have the full document reference.

On day of visitTake pencils (no pens allowed) and paper Can normally take laptops Some archives allow you to take a camera to take photos, rather than using copier Change for cloakroom, copiers etc Your list of references

Take care choosing clothes Lots of archives can be cold so go prepared dont wear anything pale/dry clean only some documents are dirty/ can rust

When in archive be methodical go through list of references check catalogues and finding aids to see if anything else useful ask archivists for help. They know their collections and may be able to point out other useful sources.

14How archives can help

Finding material

Links with other institutions

Handling the material

Using the material and the resources

Contact: Sarah Price sarah.price@durham.ac.uk