The Archives are open to the public and members of the Suffolk University community.

Office hours are Monday-Friday 9-5. The Archives are closed on University holidays.

Research hours are Tuesday-Thursday 10-4. To schedule an appointment call 617-305-6277 or email nfeeney@suffolk.edu.

Archives in the classroom

Engaging students with primary-source documents develops their critical thinking and information literacy skills. The Archives works with faculty to develop classes that teach students primary source research skills using our collections, as described below:  

• Primary source research methods classes:

  Students learn the principles of primary source research by participating in a hands-on class exercise during which they analyze the content and structure of archival documents using a study guide. An example of our primary source research methods study guide, "Joe Moakley and El Salvador". (pdf.)

• Content based classes:

  Following a study guide, students explore archival documents tied directly to their course content.  Topics that can be explores in the Archives. An example of our content based study guide, "Pieces of Suffolk History". (pdf).

Please contact us for more information about developing a class or to schedule class session.

Conducting Archival Research

Archival research is very different from library research, therefore we recommend the following steps before your visit to the Archives:

1. Make a research timeline outlining assignment deadlines and scheduled research appointments.
2. Conduct all secondary source research first to become familiar with your topic.
   1. Consult books, journals and other sources for background information relevant to your topic.
   2. Learn key names, places, events and terms.
   3. Understand all sides of your topic. (i.e. pro and con arguments)
3. Look at the Archives web page for helpful resources: 
   1. Search SMART catalog for records on your topic.
   2. Read the finding aid for relevant collection(s).
   3. Look at the research guides and research tools.
4. Talk to an archivist to help plan your research:
   1. Explain your thesis and ask for guidance using the collection(s).
   2. Ask for alternative sources and places to do research.
   3. Review your search results from SMART.
5. Schedule a research appointment. Call 617-305-6277, or email archives@suffolk.edu.

When using the records it is important to remember the following:

1. Archival collections are arranged hierarchically; one collection may be divided in to several series and then further divided into sub-series. Each series and sub-series consists of individual folders and items. 
2. Archives use finding aids to describe the information in a collection and how it is organized.
3. Archival collections are based on "provenance" which refers to the way the creator of the collection used, collected and stored their records. The provenance reflects the point of view of the person or group who used or created the records. Think about why or how the creator organized the records; the type of organization provides contextual information
4. Most importantly, you are the detective; draw your own conclusions from the documents. It is necessary to think critically.

Understanding Archives and Archival Collections

Archives differ from libraries because:

• Stacks are closed, researchers can not walk through and pull items from shelves.
• Most information is primary source material and unique to the repository it is housed in.
• Materials can not leave the archives.

Archival collections:

• Are organized by "provenance" or original order meaning, the records are left the way the creator of the collection used them.
• Are arranged hierarchically. This means one collection can be divided in to several smaller sections called series and sub-series. Finally each series and sub-series has it own arrangement which could be chronological, alphabetical, numerical or other way.
• Are described by finding aids. Finding aids describe, how the collection was processed, date ranges of materials and restrictions. Biographical information is included for personal manuscript collections. Scope and content notes provide detailed information about arrangement and informational content, collection highlights, and occasionally topic terms and related subjects.
• Provide a wealth of untapped primary source materials to be used in original research.