using archives for dissertations

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

Relationship with Europe

Court/Parliament

The National Archives

An example

Where do I start?

• Secondary sources

• Databases and online resources

• Other media

• Tutors

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

Choosing a topic: 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?

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 – sarah.price@durham.ac.uk