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Using archives for dissertations. What are archives?. Different kinds of archives. What are archives?. Not organised/categorised in the same way as books Don’t fall into neat categories How they have been collected or created is part of their story Key is the creator or creating body - PowerPoint PPT Presentation
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Using archives for dissertations
What are archives?
Different kinds of archives
The National Archives Records of central government and the central criminal courts
Other Nationals British Library, Houses of Parliament, etc.
County Record Offices Records relating to the administration of the historic county and other local material
University archives Material collected to support research and teaching and other material related to the administration of the University
Specialist archives For example, businesses, charities, churches, organisations, etc.
Private and family collections Papers relating to families, individuals, estates etc
What are archives?
• Not organised/categorised in the same way as books– Don’t fall into neat categories– How they have been collected or created is part
of their story• Key is the creator or creating body
– Who might have created the record? Where might it be?
– Remember to think around the subject• Remember…
– not everything has survived– not everything is kept– not everything is easy to find
Indian Mutiny
Board of Commissioners
BL – India Office Library
An example
Where do I start?
• Secondary sources
• Databases and online resources
• Other media
• Tutors
Choosing a topic: things to bear in mind
• Will you be able to get access to the sources?– Online access– Held in British archives– British perspective
• Will you be able to read the material?– Language
• Will it be released?
Researching: finding archival material
Archive catalogues• Each archive will have own catalogue– Not all online– Not all complete
• National Archives – Search the Archives
• Access to Archives• ARCHON
Researching: finding archive material
Own material
Other collections
Access to Archives (A2A)
National Register of Archives
ARCHON
Visiting an archive
Contact before visit• Opening times, ID, facilities, advance
orderingGo prepared• Paper, pencils, laptop, camera,
references• Clothes – choose carefully!Be organised• Check references, take full notes• Ask for help
How archives can help
•Finding material
•Links with other institutions
•Handling the material
•Using the material and the resources
Contact: Sarah Price – [email protected]
