“Archival records serve to strengthen collective memory and protect people’s rights, property, and identity.” – Society of American Archivists

Archives are empowering. We the people can go to the Indiana Archives and Records Administration (IARA) to hear directly from historical sources about our past. Print sources written by experts are certainly important for context, but archival sources are the evidence that allow us to see for ourselves, come to our own conclusions, evaluate arguments, and understand history.

Government archives, including IARA, are especially important in preserving a record of what our government has done in the past – what did we get right and wrong and how can we do better? IARA also gives Hoosiers access to this information, ensuring transparency in government. And it gives us access to the documents we need to secure our rights, property, and benefits. All of this transparency and access empowers us as citizens, giving us the tools we need to learn about our history and how our government works. In short, the Council of State Archivists sums up the essential work of government archives as:

Documenting Government

Securing Rights

Enabling Effectiveness and Transparency

Providing Access

Promoting History and Civics

If archival sources are so powerful, why do so many researchers, journalists, historians, teachers, lawmakers, and the rest of us rely only on print sources? Time and accessibility are the main issues. Most people have a job that is not going through reels of microfilm, scrolls of court decisions, or boxes of telegrams. Archives Month allows us to feature some of the great material in the IARA collection as well as the archivists who can connect you with it.

Organizations throughout the country celebrate Archives Month throughout October to help spread the word about the importance of archives in preserving and sharing our most valuable records. Join us by searching the IARA collections for something that interests you. Search for your last name in the digital index database and you may find a naturalization record for an ancestor like I did! Explore the founding documents of our state, including the 1816 and 1851 constitutions. There are even photos of the Beatles from their famed 1964 performance at the State Fairgrounds.

You can also explore the From the Vault blog and play a video game where you are hero we need to unite the various divisions of IARA and help us move into our new building!

If you can’t find what you’re looking for online send us an email or chat with us on reddit or social media. And come visit us! Email to arrange a tour or presentation. Your state archive is here for you to engage with your history and government.