Archives can be created or received by a person, family, or organization (public or private) in the conduct of their affairs. Record types can include personal correspondence, images, business records, artwork, vital records, and financial documents, among others. These items are preserved in archival repositories because of enduring informational value (i.e. family history, artistic or scholarly production, business matters) or as evidence of the functions and responsibilities of their creator (i.e. a person holding political office, university records). Archival records usually exist as primary sources, but not always. Check out our Research Guide on Primary Sources for a quick refresher on what constitutes a primary source!
