James L. Harner

“ An annotated bibliography of separately published finding aids (through c. 1990) to collections of unpublished materials (including archives and collections of maps, photographs, oral histories, and films) held in repositories in the United States. Unfortunately, coverage excludes journal articles, exhibition catalogs, accession reports, discussions of individual documents, dissertations, dictionary catalogs (except those incorporating unpublished materials) , and “indexes to large collections or bodies of records.” ”

“ Since entries are based on responses to a questionnaire, descriptions, especially of holdings and collections, inevitably vary in thoroughness and specificity. Concludes with three appendixes: organizations whose archives are deposited elsewhere; organizations without archives; and organizations on whose archives the editors could supply no information. Two indexes: repository names, organizations, and collections ”

“ Entries are listed alphabetically by author, editor, or compiler in classified divisions for general collections, business collections, collections on ethnic minorities and women, federal archives, fine arts collections (with a section for drama, theater, and motion pictures) , literary collections, military collections, political collections, collections of professional groups and organizations, regional collections, collections of religious groups, foreign repositories holding records related to the United States, and United States repositories of foreign records and manuscripts. ”

“ Some 600 cross-references cover physical features of manuscripts (including size, decorations, physical condition, and scripts) ; materials; types (e.g., commonplace book, indenture, promptbook) ; persons engaged in producing or collecting manuscripts; repositories; writing instruments; paleographical features; and the editing of manuscripts. The approximately 900 separate entries offer an etymology (where appropriate) and a definition that usually cites examples but not, unfortunately, related scholarship (which is relegated to a highly selective bibliography at the end of the volume) ”

“ The literary collections division records bibliographies, indexes, calendars, catalogs, checklists, and other guides to the papers of authors (United States and foreign) . The brief annotations typically describe content and organization and indicate whether the work is indexed. Indexed by persons and subjects. ”

“ Although the volume will occasion debate about the need for some entries (e.g., Filofax and several related to mailed letters) and the exclusion of others, the Dictionary—written by one of the leading scholars in the field—offers clear guidance to the novice and enjoyment to the expert. ”

“ Guide to the Reports of the Royal Commission on Historical Manuscripts, 1911–1957. Pt. 1: Index of Places. Ed. A. C. S. Hall. 1973. 536 pp. Guide to the Reports of the Royal Commission on Historical Manuscripts, 1911–1957. Pt. 2: Index of Persons. Ed. Hall. 3 vols. 1966. Users must remember that these works are only general indexes and not cumulations of indexes in individual volumes. The reports on collections range from hastily prepared brief descriptions in haphazard order to full calendars that carefully transcribe entire documents or generous extracts. ”

“ Chadwyck-Healey, 1985– ) records submitted directly by repositories links to online finding aids Repositories can be searched by name, location (city or state; county for the United Kingdom) , country, and holdings keyword; results can be sorted by repository name or location. Collections can be searched by keyword, collection name, repository name, repository location (city or state; county for the United Kingdom) , country, NIDS or NIDS UK/Ireland number, NUCMC number, index terms, and date; searches can be limited to NIDS UK records, NIDS US records, NUCMC records, or submitted records. ”

“ Comp. Robert B. Matchette. 3 vols. Washington: Natl. Archives and Records Administration, 1995.
A descriptive guide to governmental and other records under the jurisdiction of the National Archives. This excludes material held in presidential libraries. Organized by record group (i.e., government agency) , the brief entry for each group or class of records typically includes a descriptive title, inclusive dates, quantity, location, notes (on content, type or purpose of documents, completeness, or organization) , and finding aids. ”