Background Research
Before surveying or processing archival material, the processor must become familiar with the creator(s) of the material and their context. This process—which normally takes between 1-3 hours—involves reviewing:
The accession record(s), which contain key information about the creator, such as their donor number (used to locate their donor file), the location of the material in the Bentley's stacks, and other useful information (e.g. if the donor supplied a box list, and where it can be located). The accession record also notes the field archivist or other person who brought in the material; the processor may want to touch base with this person if they need additional information to understand the creator or context of the material.
The donor file(s), particularly the deed of gift—which is often enveloped in a blue plastic folder in the file—and any relevant correspondence or other file material. This will alert the processor to key provisions noted in the deed of gift as well as other information that may prove helpful (e.g. the material's acquisition context).
The existing finding aid(s) and MARC record(s), if these are additions to a collection, to learn more about the collection's current arrangement as well as the presence of problematic language that will need eventual revision. If University of Michigan Library Search or the Bentley's finding aid website is unavailable, copies of MARC records and the finding aids can potentially be accessed via Worldcat and/or the Internet Archive Wayback Machine.
Information from other sources, such as the Curation Team's Curation Processing and Digitization Priorities Trello board (internal link).
In addition, the processor may also want to consult the following general resources:
ArchiveGrid (public link), which may reveal collections with the same provenance at other institutions.
MLibrary Search Tools (public link), such as online databases, dictionaries, and other resources through MLibrary. These tools may not only help the processor locate informational resources about the creator(s) of the archival material, but also related collections and materials that could be referenced in the finding aid.
The Bentley's Research Resources (public link) page, which points to resources related to the state of Michigan and the University of Michigan.
Related materials in the Bentley's collection, which can be located by searching in ArchivesSpace or via MLibrary.
The State of Michigan's public resources (public link), particularly its Family History (public link) page.
Websites, particularly those set up by the creator. If the processor locates a website and want it to be archived, use this form (internal link) to recommend that the site be captured. This includes Ancestry.com, which processors can acquire access to (contact your supervisor for more information).
For material related to the University of Michigan—including donations from departments, faculty, students, and student organizations—the following resources may also be useful:
The University of Michigan Acronyms Decoder (public link).
The University of Michigan's Heritage Project (public link) and History of U-M (public link) websites, which include a range of information and also point to numerous other, helpful resources.
The Bentley's News and Information Services (University of Michigan) Faculty and Staff Files collection (public link), which often contains files about specific university faculty and staff.
The Board of Regents historical procedures (public link) and meeting agenda (public link), which are useful for understanding historical and administrative changes over the years (e.g., for listing department chairs and/or directors of centers; as well as the executive officers).