Archivist
Welcome Annual Conference Archivist...
We think you may find these resources helpful in your ministry:
Guidelines for Managing Records of the Annual Conference and the Local Church
A key resource whether you are making order out of chaos or merely want to keep an already streamlined records system running smoothly.
Manual for Annual Conference Commission on Archives and History, 2005-2008
The most dymanic Conference Commission on Archives and History is created when the Board and the Archivist work closely. You may be "ex officio" at meetings but your insight and opinions are invaluable.
The United Methodist Church Archives and History Directory
When you are not working with materials, you are likely trying to contact someone regarding those materials. This directory helps you reach the right person.
Archival Leaflet-Preservation
Preserving photographs can be challenging but the results are worth it.
Historic Site Applications
Local churches will likely come to you for advice as they try to document their site's history in the application process.
Heritage Landmark Applications
Getting a Historic Site ready for approval as a Heritage Landmark at General Conference requires everyone to work together.
Discussion List
This is a list for Annual Conference Archivists and Conference Commission on Archives and History members. We are also inviting appropriate and interested library staff from our major United Methodist seminaries and universities to be members. The purpose of the list is to be a forum for discussing issues related to managing and operating a conference archives. To that end all questions and comments relating to the management of the archives as well as the function of the commission are appropriate. Click here to join the UMCAH-list. Then click on the name of the list and follow the instructions.
This page continues ideas and links to preservation tips. Some are low-cost solutions and others point out standards and best practices. Share your tips on the discussion list and help this page grow.
Archival Leaflets
Photograph Preservation Basics
Encapsulation
Oral History
Homemade Humidifier
Looking for good resources on conservation and preservation questions?
For a fun and informative way to learn about preserving specific items in your collection you will want to visit the Canadian Conservation Institute Preserving My Heritage site. In addition to a list of articles and quizzes, the site has a 3-D tour of a home allowing you to walk into and explore various rooms. In each room there are items which when picked up will display instructions on how to care and preserve them. It is a fun way to learn about preservation practices. Be sure to visit the How to Care For.. section of their site and take the 3-D tour.
For more detailed information try Conservation OnLine (CoOL) It has a host of ideas and links. Some recommendations are fairly complex and others are "non-profit" affordable. Enjoy!!
Here are a list of tools which will help in the work of processing and organizing your archives.
Not sure how to structure your archival finding aids? Take a look into obtaining the official standard for creating a finding aid and other descriptive tools for an archives. Describing Archives: A Content Standard is a tool with which we should all be familiar. It is available from the Society of American Archivists. Read more.
Looking for a good term? Have several options on a person's or institution's name or trying to determine a good subject term? Searching the Library of Congress Authoritiesfiles can help to discover the authoritative version of the name or subject. Try it oui.
UMAC manual. For those who want to produce a descriptive survey of their archival holdings and also participate in the on-line union database of conference archival holdings. See more under the UMAConnection tab.
Here are some databases which can help to organize and describe your archives. There are many such programs. These three are low-cost (non-profit affordable), relatively easy to learn and use, and reflect the current trends in archival processing.
- Archivists' Toolkit- brand new and free! Strength is on accessioning, organizing and describing the material in your archives.
- Tabularium- named after the Roman archives this program, developed in Australia, needs MS Access to work. But most PCs come with that installed. It may be tool technical for some archives, but has several useful features. This one is also free (but MS Access is not if you don't have it)
- PastPerfect- Sounds United Methodist doesn't it? This commercial program handles images, artifacts and archival material.
United Methodist Archives Connection
The United Methodist Archives Connection allows you to search for records across the various United Methodist Annual Conference Archives. Or you can select a conference name from the table below and browse through its holdings. If you have any questions about the material, or these descriptions please feel to contact us at research@gcah.org.
Vew Catalog
Tools to report to UMAC and make updates.
If you want to report the holdings of your conference archives to this union catalog please the following form.
UMAC reporting form.
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