Original OrderEdit
Original Order is a foundational principle in archival science and records management. It refers to the practice of preserving materials in the sequence and structure in which they were created, received, or originally organized by the producing organization or individual. This approach aims to maintain the integrity of evidence, the relationship between documents, and the historical context that gives sense to a collection. In practice, Original Order underpins the trustworthiness of archives, the clarity of provenance, and the ability of researchers to understand how a record came to exist and how it functioned within its original environment. The concept is closely tied to provenance—the principle that records should be kept with other records created by the same entity or person and in the context in which they were produced provenance (archival science). See also the writings of Theodore R. Schellenberg, a key figure in mid-20th-century archival theory who argued for preserving original order as part of sound archival administration.
In many libraries, archives, and museums, Original Order serves as the default assumption during arrangement and description. The idea is not to impose a modern or external logic on a collection, but to honor the creators’ and custodians’ own organization. This practice is reinforced by professional guidelines and codes of ethics, such as those promulgated by the Society of American Archivists, and by standards that encourage clear documentation of how decisions were made, including whether any reordering occurred and why. Within this framework, the material is later described through finding aids and metadata that explain the original arrangement and provide access pathways for researchers without disturbing the recorded order archival processing and finding aid practices.
Origins and Principles
Original Order emerged from long-standing concerns about the integrity of records as evidence. When documents are removed from their original setting or rearranged without explanation, crucial links—such as the sequence of events, the chain of custody, or the role of a particular office or person—can become obscured. The preservation of original order is often described alongside the related concept of provenance, which holds that records should be kept with their contextual background intact provenance (archival science). This pairing helps ensure that researchers can assess the reliability of the material and understand how it would have functioned within its organizational ecosystem.
Early practice in archival work leaned on the belief that the value of records lies in their use within the original institution and process. The mid-20th century saw influential statements on preservation of original order, most notably in the work of Theodore R. Schellenberg, whose approaches to archival appraisal and arrangement stressed maintaining the context in which records were created and used. Over time, many institutions adopted formal guidelines that codify Original Order as a default approach, while allowing for careful, well-documented modifications when necessary to improve access or safeguard material. See also archival processing for the tangible steps by which a collection is arranged, described, and made available to readers.
Implementation in Practice
- Arrangement by provenance: Archivists begin by identifying the creator or originator of the records and maintain the organizational units established by that creator, such as offices, departments, or project teams. This often results in a hierarchical structure (for example, series, files, items) that mirrors the original workflow of the organization archival processing.
- Documentation of decisions: When a collection is accessioned and processed, decisions about where to place materials in the original order are recorded in the finding aid. If a reordering is necessary for access or preservation, a clear, documented rationale is provided, and the changes are reflected in accompanying metadata to avoid erasing the original context finding aid.
- Balancing access and authenticity: Archivists seek to balance preserving authenticity with facilitating discovery. In some cases, physical or digital constraints require creating access routes that supplement rather than replace the original arrangement, such as timelines or cross-references, while preserving the underlying order of materials digital archives and metadata strategies.
- Examples in practice: A corporate records collection may keep memos and correspondence in the sequence generated by the office, preserving the natural workflow and decision points. A personal or family archive may maintain the order in which materials were amassed or filed by the creator, preserving context that illuminates relationships and priorities over time.
Digital Context and Modern Challenges
Digitization offers broad access but adds questions about Original Order in a new medium. Scanned images and digitized documents can be presented in a way that preserves the sequence of the originals, but digital systems may also enable alternate access paths (full-text search, curated exhibits, or user-defined collections) that could diverge from the physical order. Institutions address this by mapping digital representations back to the original sequence and by retaining robust metadata that records the original arrangement, the rationale for any deviations, and the provenance of the materials. Standards such as Dublin Core and other metadata schemas support this level of traceability while enabling efficient discovery in large digital repositories digital archives.
In the digital realm, Original Order also intersects with questions about long-term preservation, migration, and interoperability. Archivists work to ensure that the digital surrogate preserves the social and organizational context of the materials, rather than just the content. This involves careful use of metadata, persistent identifiers, and explicit documentation of how the original order is represented or approximated in the digital environment metadata.
Controversies and Debates
The principle of Original Order is widely supported among traditional archivists for its emphasis on evidence integrity and historical authenticity. Critics from broader critical and decolonizing perspectives argue that strict adherence to original order can entrench biased power structures: for example, the way materials are grouped or prioritized by the dominant institution may obscure the experiences of marginalized groups. Proponents of Original Order respond that preserving the original context does not preclude richer access opportunities; it simply requires additional descriptive tools—such as context notes, alternate access points, and carefully crafted finding aids—to illuminate underrepresented materials without erasing their original placement.
From a practical standpoint, supporters argue that Original Order reduces the risk of misinterpretation by keeping materials in a stable, traceable sequence. It also strengthens accountability by preserving the administrative and documentary trails through which records circulated. Detractors contend that rigid adherence can hamper modern scholarship that seeks to reframe or reinterpret sources. In response, archivists emphasize transparent decision-making, the use of comprehensive metadata, and the creation of multiple access routes that do not erase the original arrangement. Critics who accuse traditional practice of being resistant to change are often rebutted by noting that original order does not prevent reform; it requires reforms to be documented and reversible, with clear evidentiary trails preserved alongside the original sequence. See debates framed in the broader discipline of critical archival studies and discussions about decolonization of archives for context on how access and interpretation evolve without abandoning foundational methods.
Supporters also point out that Original Order aligns with sensible resource management. By preserving context and reducing ad hoc rearrangements, institutions can maintain better control over preservation actions and reduce the risk of irreversible loss or misplacement. At times, professional judgment calls for modifying the arrangement to protect fragile items or to improve long-term access, but such actions are undertaken within a documented framework that preserves the historical and evidentiary value of the original sequence. For readers interested in the ethics and governance of archival practice, the topic intersects with guidance from Society of American Archivists and related standards in archival processing and finding aid creation.