Archives As A Source of Historical Information - History Notes Form One
Concept of sources of historical information
Historical knowledge is obtained through the examination of sources of historical information. One can obtain historical information from either primary or secondary sources.
Primary sources are original materials that provide first-hand information or direct evidence on a particular event. Primary sources are materials created by individuals directly involved in such events.
Such materials include memos, diaries, letters, artefacts, photographs, interviews, speeches, autobiographies, and official records. In addition, secondary sources are a product of primary sources.
Archives
Archives are places where documents and old written records are kept and maintained.
These documents come from both public and private institutions. They include missionaries' and travellers' records, reports, photographs, some of the old books, colonial records, post-colonial records and files.
The documents are preserved carefully to be used for a long time. Some of them are available for use by the public, while others are confidential. National, regional, district and village archives are located in various places.
The best-known public archives in Tanzania are the Tanzania National Archives located in Dar es Salaam and the Zanzibar Institute of Archives and Records. The zonal centres include the
National Records Centre in Dodoma, the Mbeya Records Centre, the Arusha Records
Centre, and the Mwanza Records Centre. There are also church archives like the
Moravian Church Archives in Rungwe District and the Benedictine Fathers Archives in Peramiho. These archives keep pre-colonial, colonial and post-colonial records.
Currently, we can access archival information in two main ways: manual and digital.
Manual archives provide written records in hard copy by visiting the respective archives. Digital archives provide written records in soft form by accessing online archives.
It is important to note that one can only access either manual or digital archives after getting an official permit from the respective institution.
Functions of archives
Archives are used to preserve historical information for public use. Some of the archival records are confidential, but they may later be opened for public use.
These shelters are specifically designed to reduce the possibility of damage to the materials stored in them from threats such as fire, thieves, pests, and excessive heat and moisture.
Likewise, archives provide conducive environment for the retrieval of information from written sources of various kinds.
Advantages of archives
Archives preserve past and recent documents. Documents in the archives contain information from both recent and distant past. Using these documents, one can trace sses over time.
In addition, archives consistently organise information that can easily be located or traced by researchers.
Furthermore, the materials in archives can be quite detailed, providing in-depth information about people, places, time and events.
Limitations of archives
Documents housed in the archives may be destroyed if not well preserved.
In addition, archives are expensive to establish and run. It is costly to set up archives because they involve constructing special buildings.
Furthermore, they need special facilities, skilled personnel and trusted people. There may not be sufficient funds to meet the costs of these requirements.
Archives apply strict regulations for users to follow. Thus, it may make it difficult for users to obtain and use the records or documents at their own pace.
Moreover, some records are confidential and cannot be available to every researcher.
Similarly, researchers cannot immediately access new documents with restricted information.
They can be released for use after 30 years, subject to negotiation with the creator of the document.
Likewise, documents may be lost or misplaced in the archives. In such cases, researchers will not get all the information they need.
Exercise
With vivid examples, briefly explain how Tanzanians can benefit from museums.