Levels of Archives

Item

Group

Subgroup

Series

Levels of Archives

File

A record group, the basic unit of archival control, is a body of organizationally related records. Guide to Archival Holdings. (2016, August 15). National Archives. https://www.archives.gov/denver/holdings/guide

A subgroup is, "A body of related records within a record group..., each corresponding to an administrative subdivision in the originating organization." SAA Dictionary: Subgroup. (n.d.). Retrieved September 12, 2024, from https://dictionary.archivists.org/entry/subgroup.html

A series of records were accumulated and used together for a specific purpose, during a distinct period of time, and the records in a series are usually arranged in a particular order. How Records are Grouped. (2016, August 15). National Archives. https://www.archives.gov/research/start/how-records-grouped.html

A file is, "a group of documents related by use or topic, typically housed in a folder (or a group of folders for a large file." SAA Dictionary: File. (n.d.). Retrieved September 12, 2024, from https://dictionary.archivists.org/entry/file.html

An item is, "the smallest indivisible archival unit (e.g. a letter, memorandum, report, leaflet, or photograph." Archival Materials and Related Elements. (2016, August 15). National Archives. https://www.archives.gov/research/catalog/lcdrg/intro-data.html