What are Archives?• Archives are collections of primary sources
– Documents– Photographs– Maps– Newspapers– Film and sound etc
• Can be held by a wide variety of institutions and individuals– Archives and record offices– Businesses, companies and organisations– Churches– Private individuals
• Are unique
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
An example
Starting your research• Secondary reading
– Read around your subject– Look at bibliography
• Reference works– Bibliographies– Guides– Online guides
• Advice from tutors and record office staff
Things to bear in mind• Will you be able to read the
sources?– Styles of writing/palaeography– Are there any alternatives?
E.g. calendars, transcripts, translations etc
– Might not be in English– Might not be released
• Will you be able to get access to the sources?
Researching: Printed material
• Can be found via the Library catalogue
• Don’t forget about online sources
Researching: finding archival material
Archive catalogues• Each archive will have own catalogue– Not all online– Not all complete
• Durham University Special Collections• National Archives – Search the
Archives• Access to Archives• ARCHON
Searching for archives: a useful portal
http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/records/catalogues-and-online-records.htm
TNA catalogue and digitised material
Other records
Links to other catalogues and information
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
Highlights: modern history
Printed material – Cosin’s Library, Bamburgh and Routh collections
Family papers: Baker Baker, Backhouse, Clavering
Durham Bishopric Records
Cremation Society
Earl Grey papers
Macdonald papers
Where do I see it?
All archive and special material produced in search room at PG
• Bring ID on first visit• Register daily
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