Introduction ISAD(G) (General International Standard Archival Description) defines according to International Council of Archives (ICA) the standard to register archival documents produced by corporations, persons and families. It defines a list of elements and rules for the description of archives and describes the kinds of information that must and should be included in such descriptions.

Principles

According to Wikipedia ISAD(G) follows 4 general principles:

  1. Description from the general to the specific: Multilevel description starts from a general level of description, which is usually the fonds, and proceeds to more detailed levels, such as the subfonds, the series, the file, the item, etc. This hierarchical structure must be represented and properly defined in the archival description.
  2. Information relevant to the level of description: Information in each level of description must be related only to the archival unit described in that level.
  3. Linking of descriptions: Every archival unit must be linked to its parent level within the hierarchy and its level must be made explicit.
  4. Non-repetition of information: To avoid repetition, general information common to a group must be declared in the highest level possible. Sublevels must, in turn, contain common information applicable to its child levels.

Elements

ISAD(G) defines 26 data elements of description, 6 of which are mandatory, divided into 7 areas:

  1. Identity Statement (All elements in the Identity Statement area are mandatory.)

  2. Context (Of the 4 elements that make up the Context Area, only the first one is mandatory.)

  3. Content and Structure

  4. Conditions of Access and Use

  5. Allied Materials

  6. Notes