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Definition of Terms Used in Level Field

Fonds

The whole of the documents, regardless of form or medium, automatically and organically created and/or accumulated and used by a particular individual, family or corporate body in the course of that creator's activities or functions. Fonds is the highest level of description in a multilevel description.

Sousfonds

A subdivision of a fonds based on the structure of the creator or the organization of its activity.

Series

File units or records within a fonds arranged systematically or maintained as a unit because they relate to a particular function or subject, result from the same activity, have a particular form, or because of some other relationship arising out of their creation or, arising out of their receipt and use.

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Subseries

A division of a series.

File

An organized unit of documents, usually within a series, brought together because they relate to the same subject, activity, or transaction.

Item

The lowest level of description and the smallest intellectual entity within a fonds.

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