The National Archives Catalog

Creating Organization Type

Mandatory	Repeatable	Data Type	Authority	Level Available	A/V Only	Public Element
Yes*	No	Variable Character Length (20)	Creator Type List	Series**	No	Yes

* When a Creating Organization is designated, Creating Organization Type must also be indicated.

** Archival creators are captured at the Series Level and are inherited downward to the File Unit and Item Levels.

Definition:

The means for indicating whether or not an organization is the most recent or predecessor creator of a series.

Purpose:

Alerts users if the creating organization was the most recent or predecessor creator of the series.

Relationship:

This element and Creating Organization are dependent on each other. For each creating organization, Creating Organization and Creating Organization Type must both be included. Creating Organization is repeatable. One Creating Organization Type can be specified for each Creating Organization.

Guidance:

When a name has been indicated in Creating Organization, choose the correct term from the Creator Type Authority List.

If the creating organization is the unit last responsible for the archival materials creation, accumulation, or maintenance, then indicate "Most Recent" in Creating Organization Type.

If the creating organization is the unit first or previously responsible for the archival materials, then indicate "Predecessor" in Creating Organization Type. A predecessor creator should be indicated whenever necessary to understand the context of the archival materials.

Do not enter a "Predecessor" organization without first entering a "Most Recent" organization.

Examples:

Creating Organization - Department of Defense. Pacific Command. U.S. Military Assistance Command Vietnam. Personnel Directorate. Personnel Advisory Division.
Creating Organization Type - Most Recent

Creating Organization - Department of Defense. Pacific Command. U.S. Military Personnel. Advisory Division.
Creating Organization Type - Predecessor

[For a series that has two creators: the first is the most recent and the second is predecessor.]

Creating Organization - Supreme Commander for the Allied Powers. Assistant Chief of Staff, G-1.
Creating Organization Type - Most Recent

Creating Organization - United Nations Command. Assistant Chief of Staff, G-1.
Creating Organization Type - Most Recent

Creating Organization - Department of Defense. Far East Command. Assistant Chief of Staff, G-1.
Creating Organization Type - Most Recent

[For a series that has three concurrent creators.]

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