Frequently asked questions
Where is Georgian Papers Online?
The catalogue records and images previously published as part of Georgian Papers Online are now part of Royal Archives Online. Please see the How to Search page for guidance on searching for Georgian Papers catalogue records.
How quickly will new catalogues and images be added to Royal Archives Online?
New catalogues and images will be added to Royal Archives Online on a regular basis as the cataloguing and digitisation work moves forward. Please see Catalogue Highlights for new additions to the catalogue, as well as the What's in the Catalogue pages for an overview of all the collections available.
How do I view digitised images of documents in the Royal Archives?
Where digitised images are available, they can be accessed through the PDF icon published in the Document Image field of the catalogue record.
Why are there no document images attached to many catalogue records?
We have yet to digitise most of the collections in the Royal Archives and some documents cannot be digitised due to copyright or preservation reasons. In some cases, collections are digitised as part of distinct projects and are available on separate websites. When this is the case, more information can be found in the catalogue record.
Can I visit the Royal Archives to see original documents published in the catalogue?
The purpose of digitising records in the Royal Archives is to improve access to the records and ensure their long-term preservation. Given this, we do not generally produce original documents for research once they have been digitised and made available online. If you have any specific queries or requests, please contact the Royal Archives at [email protected]
How do I know if 'files' and 'items' I find in the catalogue can be seen for research purposes?'
Please see the Access to the Collections section for further information.
What does the ‘Level’ field mean in the catalogue record?
Archive collections are catalogued at varying levels, which together are represented in the hierarchy, or archival tree. Descriptions of a collection as a whole and its major parts are noted as 'Collection' level. Descriptions of larger groups of records with something in common are called 'Series', 'Sub-Series', etc. Physical sets of records are often found in folders, albums or files and are known as 'File' levels. The lowest level used in cataloguing is the individual 'Item', which is generally used for a letter and other single documents.
How do I cite records from the Royal Archives in my work?
Please see the Copyright and Citation section.
How do I obtain permission to publish quotations or images from Royal Archives Online?
Please see the Copyright and Citation section for more information about reproduction and use of documents from the Royal Archives.