Workbook on Digital Private Papers > Glossary
Glossary - A
Archive
An archive consists of documents (in any form or medium) which were created or received, accumulated and used by an individual or institution during the course of their daily activities and functions, and which have been preserved for their continuing value. By accumulating in this natural, organic fashion, the records acquire the archival characteristics of impartiality, authenticity and interrelatedness. While the informational value of an archival document comes from its content, it gains evidential value from its context. This is why the principles of provenance and original order are so important to archivists.
