This document provides guidance for researchers on using historic collections and archives. It defines what historic collections are, explains why they are useful for research, and gives tips on finding relevant material from secondary sources and archives. The document outlines strategies for searching catalogues and databases, provides examples of different types of archives and resources, and offers advice for working effectively in archives, including understanding references, copyright, and freedom of information.

1. Historic collections for
researchers
Sarah Price and Richard Pears

2. What are historic collections?

3. Could also mean…

4. Could even include…

5. Why use them?
“Take away from history why, how and to
what end things have been done, and
whether the thing done hath succeeded
according to reason; and all that remains
will be an idle sport and foolery, than a
profitable instruction; and though for the
present it may delight, for the future it
cannot profit.”

6. Using historic collections
• Finding printed secondary material
• Finding archive material – key things to remember
• Useful websites and portals for archives
• Finding and accessing printed material
• Online resources
• Pathways in archives
• Tips for using archives
• Copyright and Freedom of Information

7. Finding material: where to start?
• Secondary reading
– Bibliographies
– Footnotes/references
• Reference works
– Bibliographies
– Guides
– Online guides
• Tutors

8. Finding secondary sources
• Catalogues for monographs
• Bibliographic databases for journal articles
and reviews e.g. Historical Abstracts, Jstor,
IBSS
• Theses e.g. Index to theses, EThOS
• Access by visiting (SCONUL Access) or
borrowing (Document Delivery Service)

9. The archive environment
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

10. Finding archival material
• 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
General
Strike
Local coal
records
County
Record Office

11. Finding archival material
Archive catalogues
• Each archive will have own catalogue
– Not all online
– Not all complete
Durham University Special Collections
Useful sites
• National Archives – Search the Archives
• Access to Archives
• National Register of Archives
• ARCHON

12. Finding archival material
Search strategies
• Think laterally
• Combine search terms – Boolean searching
• Use wild card/fuzzy searches
Finding material
• Locally held copies
• Printed sources and microfilm / microfiche
• Online sources – many from Library catalogue

13. Online resources
• Diaries, manuscripts rare books, newspapers
(articles, adverts, images, obituaries),
photographs, historic interviews in film or
transcription
• Digitised as text or, more often, as an image
• Varying quality
• Varying ability to search – many rely on the
record

14. Accessing online resources
• Catalogue http://library.dur.ac.uk/
• DISCOVER http://discover.durham.ac.uk
• Definitive listing
www.dur.ac.uk/library/resources/online/databases/
• Subject filter
www.dur.ac.uk/library/resources/subject/ for your
own subject area www.dur.ac.uk/library/history for
historic resources

15. Full text online collections
MEMSO
Full
text
Tudor State
Papers
Mass
observation
online
House of
Commons
19 Papers th century
periodicals
Nineteenth
Century
Collections
Online
Times
Digital
Archive
Archival
sound
recordings

16. E-books as primary sources
Medieval
sources
online
e-books
The Latin
Library
Broadside
Ballads
Gallica
EEBO
Google
Books
ECCO
Patrologia
Latina

17. Accessing printed books
• Rare books held in archives but listed in library
catalogues
• Main collections in Durham University Library
catalogue and listed on Special Collections
pages
• Some collections at other institutions in
COPAC
• Printed collections of sources or translations

18. Pathways in archives
Local
events
and info
Radical
Politics
News
and
journals
Pamphlets
and
periodicals
National
outlook
Local
politics &
Trials and
other legal
papers
govt
Local
business
info

19. Pathways and journeys
Local
National
Diaries
Newspapers
Business
records
Police records
Parish records

20. Useful tips for working in archives
Contact before visit
• Opening times, ID, facilities, advance ordering
Go prepared
• Paper, pencils, laptop, camera, references
• Wear/take warm clothes
Be organised
• Check references, take full notes
• Ask for help

21. Understanding archival references
HO 42/95 f.375
Collection =
Home Office
Division =
Domestic
Correspondence
Subdivision =
part year 1808
Folio
HO 42: The National Archives, Home Office,
Domestic Correspondence, George III

22. Copyright
• Archival material is still subject to copyright
law
• Some records are restricted – check!
• Normally okay to cite in research without
permission
• Situation will change if work is being
published (theses count!)

23. Copyright

24. Freedom of Information
• FOI Act passed in 2000 and came into full
effect from 2005
• Information is assumed to be ‘open’ unless
one of the specified exemptions applies
• Anyone can send in a written request
• Is a right of appeal

25. Useful links
National Register of Archives
www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/nra/default.asp
Access 2 Archives
http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/a2a/
ARCHON
http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/archon/