"A rich storehouse for research": the historical development of the Western Cape Archives and Records Service
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Date
2017
Authors
Hendrich, Gustav
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Faculty of Humanities, University of the Free State
Abstract
Without the existence of archival repositories, or institutions responsible
for the safekeeping and preservation of records, there will be no
fundamental source for studying the past. The primary role of archives
the world over is to preserve historical sources of information for the
benefit of future generations. For understanding the South African
past, particularly from its early beginnings at the Cape, the Western
Cape Archives and Records Service (WCARS) in Cape Town,
plays an instrumental role in the proper recordkeeping of some of
our country’s most valuable and irreplaceable records. Despite the
centuries of possible hazardous influences such as water, damp and
weather damage to the paper-based sources, the oldest records
have largely remained intact. The aim of this article is to describe the
efforts of archivists and record their pleas for more effective storage
space/locations. It is also intended to shed light on the historical
development of WCARS as a renowned research institution that
today serves the interests of a wide spectrum of the public; most
notably academics, historians, scholars and family researchers from
not only the Western Cape region, but also from across South Africa
and abroad.
Description
Keywords
Western Cape Archives and Records Service (WCARS), Cape Archives Repository, Recordkeeping, GM Theal, HCV Leibbrandt, CG Botha, Archival holdings, Roeland Street Prison
Citation
Hendrich, G. (2017). "A rich storehouse for research": the historical development of the Western Cape Archives and Records Service. Journal for Contemporary History, 42(2), 74-97.