The University of New England's role in capturing archival records of the New England Region

Archives are defined as 'the non-current records of an organisation, institution or individual which are selected for preservation because of their continuing value.' In the beginning: Early European settlers to the New England region certainly created and retained records that still provide much insight into the texture of their lives. The churches and denominations in particular had transplanted a long tradition of ecclesiastical record keeping into their new parishes in Australia. Commercial activities, particularly those of the pastoral industry, had created large 'business' archives. Government agencies, community organisations and schools all created, collected and, in many cases, still retain, extensive local archives. Individuals such as early schoolteacher and diarist, William Gardner (1802-1860), also bequeathed extensive descriptions of the mid nineteenth century New England to subsequent generations.