Fact Sheet No 3

Noel Butlin Archives Centre - Finding Aids

Finding aids are essential tools for locating relevant information in an archives. They provide different levels of descriptive information about archival collections.

The following is a list of the finding aids that can be used to identify and locate sources of information at the Noel Butlin Archives Centre. The list begins with the broadest level of information.

List of holdings Deposit lists Subject guides History files ABLative Parties to the Award General index Catalogue of printed material

Pastoral station index Serials index Photographs index Australian Agricultural Company Reference library Map catalogue Indexes to organisational rule books, articles of association and company annual reports

List of holdings

The list of holdings is published by the Centre and is available online and in hard copy form. The list is arranged alphabetically in the following categories:

• Archives of Business and Labour collections:
  • Companies
  • Organisations (trade unions, employer, industry and professional bodies)
  • Personal papers

• National AIDS Archives Collection

Records are listed under the name of creator/depositor (an organisation or an individual). An indication of date range, quantity and types of records is included for each entry.

Deposit lists

Deposit lists are detailed descriptions of series and items within individual collections. They can be in two forms:

Final lists group records in series of related items with extensive descriptions of both. They also include an administrative history of the depositor.

‘Z’ Lists cover records that have not been completely processed. They identify all incoming material by listing items as boxed.

All lists are available for consultation in the Centre’s reading room. They can also be photocopied and posted on request.

Subject guides

Subject guides introduce researchers to records on various topics that can be researched at the Noel Butlin Archives Centre. They cover some of the more popular research queries. Some of the subject guides are available online in the Subject Guides section, and they are all available for consultation in the Centre’s reading room.

History files

These are in-house compilations of information about depositors. Each file may include journal articles, newspaper cuttings, historical notes and other information from varied sources.

ABLative

The Centre’s newsletter, describing acquisitions and collections. Hardcopy editions ceased in 1997, although copies of back issues can be obtained from the Centre. Feature articles from past editions have been republished on this site.
 

Parties to the Award

A publication of the Centre available for purchase. The book traces the history of federally registered trade unions and provides guidance on the location of their records. For more information, please see our Publications section.

General index

The general card index is arranged alphabetically by subject, personal or organisation name, event, etc. It provides direct references to records on specific subjects. The index is neither exhaustive nor comprehensive. It should be used as a starting point, leading to consultation of the relevant deposit lists.

Catalogue of printed material

A card index to printed material in fully processed collections. Items are catalogued by author, title and subject.

Pastoral station index

A card index to information relating to named pastoral holdings.

Serials index

A card index, which refers to serial publications held by the Centre. It includes up-to-date copies of newsletters, circulars and other publications routinely received from depositors.

Photograph index

A card index that provides information on the location of photographs. Index categories include people (nominal), animals, buildings, events, objects, organisation, places, ships and (pastoral) stations.

Australian Agricultural Company

Special finding aids identifying individuals recorded in the Australian Agricultural Company’s 19^th century shipping lists, wages lists and land records.

Reference library

A range of published materials relating to the broad themes of the records held by the Noel Butlin Archives Centre. It includes guides to collections in other archival institutions.

Map catalogue

A card index arranged geographically. Please ask the Reference Archivist for access to this index.

Indexes to organisational rulebooks, articles of association and company annual reports

Two card indexes to trade union rulebooks, company and other organisations’ articles of association, and the annual reports of various Australian companies.