| Summary: | This study examines the concept of the series in
archival literature and practice. Although the series
is an important element in archival arrangement and
description and appraisal, and is central in
controversy relating to traditional archival
principles, it has never been the subject of analysis per
se.
This thesis examines the history and theory of series
through analysis of English North American archival
literature, and its immediate antecedents. It aims to
trace the origins and development of the series concept.
The study makes various conclusions about the series:
Firstly, the series concept has an abstract element, is
part of a single fonds and has a single provenance.
Secondly, different definitions of series have served
different purposes for archivists in the past; archivists
need now to develop a concept and defition of series
which will serve current goals. Thirdly, the methods and
principles respecting the appraisal of series are not
clearly defined, and more study is required in this area,
as in other areas of appraisal.
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