Interview with Julie, a curatorial officer at The National Archives (HMC)

What does your job involve…what is a curatorial officer?

Most of the curatorial officers work on the National Register of Archives. I am also responsible for liaison work with archives and repositories in the South East of England – 286 repositories. The liaison work includes giving advice and an inspection regime. The National Register of Archives lists the 43 thousand catalogues available, most of the material is still on paper, but we are moving rapidly to establish links to online catalogues.

What does an inspection visit involve?

When we go to inspect an archive we look at the whole service provided and measure this against the "HMC Standard for Record Repositories 3rd Edition, 2001" which sets out good practice guidelines on the constitution, finance, staff, storage and preservation, acquisition and access aspects of running a repository. Only 45 repositories are currently HMC approved – this just goes to show that it is a real pinnacle of achievement to attain.

What about your advisory role?

We will advise anybody (except where public records are concerned) – be they a repository, society or a private individual – all advice is independent and free of charge. (although we cannot undertake extensive research for individuals) We have a large advice section on our website. The type of advice will range from finding a suitable repository; where to deposit a collection of documents; care of documents; to advice to academic researchers who need to find out which archive holds relevant papers on a particular subject or individual.

How do people find out what new material is available in all the archives?

We carry out an annual survey of archives to find out what new material has been accessioned. We approach around 260 repositories throughout the British Isles and they send us lists of the new deposits they have had over the year. This year I am the accessions editor.

What does being accessions editor involve?

I am responsible for logging the lists supplied by each repository into our database. I then distribute the lists to each regional officer so that they can choose the most significant items to be listed on our website. I retain editorial control so I check that I agree with their choices! And I make sure that the description and date meet the standards required. Each year the list of new manuscript material available at the various repositories goes on our website at Accessions to Repositories.

What about doing your own research?

I worked as a researcher for an MP and I also did a masters degree that involved a great deal of research. My area of specialisation was Gerrard Winstanley, leader of the Diggers.

I've also done a fair amount of family history research with my Grandpa, up in Glasgow. We've been over to Edinburgh to use the General Register Office of Scotland search rooms and also the facilities at the National Archives of Scotland.

What is the most exciting document manuscript that you have seen or handled?

That has to be the death warrant of Charles I – a facsimile copy of it is displayed in the Royal Gallery at the Palace of Westminster. I've always been interested in parliamentary history and politics and seeing the document in the place where his trial and beheading happened really made history come alive for me.

What is a typical day at work?

I don't really have a typical day. I might be updating a database such as ARCHON or the National Register of Archives at my computer or out inspecting an archive, or attending a conference. For example I have recently inspected The Women's Library, Essex Record Office (the largest county record office) and Waltham Forest Archive which is sited within the Vestry House Museum. I also answer enquiries from the general public which have been sent to us or in person in our public search room.

ARCHON directory and portal

Tell us more about ARCHON

ARCHON comprises two elements: A directory which lists the contact details for record repositories which have holdings indexed in the National Register of Archives. The second element is a portal, which lists and links to archival resources and projects that are planned, ongoing or completed which I maintain. The portal is a brilliant resource listing all kinds of projects – everything from a Virtual Knitting Museum to the Trades Union Congress History online. Family historians will find listings of all kinds of small projects that they might not otherwise have come across. For example, those with Quaker roots might find the Yorkshire Quaker Heritage Project of interest – it can be found on the University of Hull website. You can browse the portal by the title of the project/website, by region or by keyword.

What are the types of enquiries you deal with?

People write to us with all sorts of problems. For example, they might want to know where papers are held for a famous person that they are researching or how the NRA can be utilised as a research tool.

Finally, what do think will be achieved by the bringing together of the Historical Manuscripts Commission and the Public Record Office to form The National Archives?

I think it is very exciting - I think that it is all for the good of Britain's heritage. Once we move to Kew, visitors will have access to public records, as well as all the information on what is available and where to find private collections of manuscripts all under one roof.