Irish Manuscripts Commission - Survey of Your Archival Records

IMC is a public body founded in 1928 following the destruction in 1922 of the Public Record Office of Ireland and the loss of over 700 years of archival records. 

At the time, IMC’s remit was to find copies of lost primary documentary sources and to preserve them in print. Almost 100 years later, IMC's mission embraces preserving primary sources in online formats as well as in print and promoting public awareness of the importance of preserving records for the writing of future histories.

We are aware that many individuals and organisations around the country have files, boxes and drawers of old records in their offices, attics and sheds. It would be helpful for us to know a bit more about the volume and range of material organisations have in their archives. We are therefore asking various local, social, cultural, sporting and professional organisations such as yours to let us know about your records. A record can be any item for example, letters, minutes of meetings, certificates, registers, lists or other documents. 

Once we have surveyed the range of records retained by organisations, we will develop specific advice leaflets regarding their preservation and storage, or appropriate donation pathways should record-holders wish to donate collections to an archive for long term preservation for future generations.

It would greatly help the work of the PAAC if you could take 5–10 minutes to complete our online survey of nine questions.  

Thank you for your participation. If you would like to learn more about how to look after your records, please see the ‘Preserving your records’ section of our website.

If you would like to follow up on this email, please reply to support@irishmanuscrpts.ie.