What are records and archives?
Records are sources of information, both physical and digital. Every one of us creates records throughout our lives to keep track of our decisions, mark our achievements or tell our stories. These records could be letters, photographs, diaries or social media posts. All organisations create records too, such as business reports, government policies, court papers, hospital files, patents, emails, maps, datasets, websites, newspapers, leaflets and film recordings.
Archives collect records that are of historic importance from across society and look after these precious records so that we can use them now and in the future. The term ‘archive’ can be used to refer to a collection of records, or the place where these collections are stored.
You’ll find archives wherever you go. There are archives in businesses, charities, societies, arts organisations, universities, libraries, museums, historic houses, public institutions, local communities and government at all levels.
Why archives matter
Archives matter because they empower people and shape society in countless ways:
- Archives enable individuals to uncover their past and better understand their identity, for example, through adoption records, birth certificates and national censuses.
- Archives help people to assert their rights, such as citizenship.
- Archives hold individuals and institutions to account, including by providing crucial evidence in public inquiries and other legal cases.
- Archives help communities to reclaim previously marginalised histories.
- Archives foster a sense of belonging and a connection to those who came before us, deepening our pride in place.
- Archives support excellence in research, formal education and life-long learning.
- Archives enable effective decision-making and inspire innovation in every field, from business and tourism to technology and city planning.
- Archives power the creative industries, inspiring books, plays, films, adverts, music, art and design.