Archives describe their records using finding aids and in order to search successfully in archives it is worth knowing the terms and structure used in finding aids.
Elements in finding aids
Finding aids are organized hierarchically starting with the fonds which is the entirety of the collection of records. The finding aid is then divided into series, sub-series and files, which then contain the items. This permits the records to be organized by function, activity or topic.
Here is an example of the Canadian Federation of University Women Sudbury Branch Fonds (CFUW-S).
- What are archives?completed
- Why do research in the archives?completed
- How are archives organized?completed
- How to find information in the archives
- How to read a fonds level descriptionnot completed
- Searching the archives using Archeionnot completed
- Evaluating your sourcesnot completed
- Accessing the Archives and help with your researchnot completed