Private Archives in the United Kingdom

Abstract

The Royal Commission on Historical Manuscripts was established in 1869 by the issue of a Royal Warrant, and the National Register of Archives was subsequently set up for the preservation of private archives in the United Kingdom. This function is now carried out by the Private Archives Team within the National Archives.

Their activities are based on the information collected through exhaustive nationwide research activities, as well as various legislation covering private archives. This paper reviews the preservation initiatives of private archives in the United Kingdom so far, and examines future issues.