The Provenance of Archives and Records

Provenance of archives and records refers to the origin and history of a collection—who created it, why, and how it has been maintained over time. It helps establish the authenticity, context, and reliability of the records by tracing their source and lifecycle. Understanding provenance ensures that records are trustworthy for research, legal, or administrative purposes. Essentially, it’s about knowing where records come from and their journey, which safeguards their credibility and helps maintain organizational and historical integrity.