| Term |
Definition |
| Archives |
Original items (e.g. documents, files, letters, photographs) created or collected by a particular person or organisation and retained over time |
| Archives office |
Place where archives are stored and made available to researchers. See also record office, repository, muniments |
| Archivist |
The person in charge of preserving archives |
| Calendar |
List of a collection of deeds or documents in chronological order, including summaries or detailed transcriptions of the contents of each document. Often created in the 19th and 20th centuries for older records of central or local government |
| Catalogue |
Descriptive list of items within an archive collection |
| Collection |
Items created or collected by one particular person or organisation, and maintained as a distinct grouping in the archives |
| Family Records Centre |
Part of The National Archives; holds copies of birth, marriage, death, census and probate records |
| Finding aid |
Descriptive list of items within an archive collection |
| Fonds |
Another word for collection |
| Manuscripts |
1. Handwritten documents
2. Collection of original documents or papers brought together because of the information they contain |
| Microform |
Generic word for microfilm or microfiche: method of reproducing and viewing copies of original documents |
| Muniments |
Another word for archives, not often used nowadays. Also (muniments room) a place where archives are stored and made available to researchers. See also archives office, record office, repository |
| National Register of Archives |
Hosted by The National Archives: contains information on the nature and location of manuscripts and historical records that relate to British history |
| Palaeography |
The study of old handwriting and the skills required to read it |
| Primary source |
Contemporary document or book which can be used as historical evidence by researchers |
| Public Record Office |
Old name for The National Archives, no longer used |
| Record office |
Place where archives are stored and made available to researchers. See also archives office, repository, muniments |
| Reference number |
Unique code given to each individual document in an archive |
| Repository |
Place where archives are stored and made available to researchers. See also archives office, record office, muniments |
| Secondary source |
Book, thesis or article written by a researcher who has used primary sources |
| Series |
Sub-group within a collection, e.g. deeds, correspondence, accounts |
| Store |
Secure room used to store archives. Also sometimes called a strongroom or a muniments room. Modern stores are environmentally monitored and controlled |
| Surrogate |
Facsimile version of an original document made to look as close to the original as possible |
| The National Archives |
Archives office in Kew which holds the records of central government in England and the United Kingdom |