Dates of Records Start Date

The beginning of the time period the records themselves were created. In many, but not all cases, this start date may be the same as the start date of the Dates of Recordkeeping and/or is the same as the start date of the time period covered by the subject(s) of the archival materials.

Dates of Records Start Date should match the date given in the formal title of the publication.

When the Date Span is Only One Specific Date
If the date is a specific day (02/11/1969), month (02/1969), or year (1969), enter the date in Dates of Records Start Date and then repeat the same specific date in Dates of Records End Date.

When the Date Span is Several Years
If the dates fall between several years (1826-1835), then enter the earliest possible date (1826) in Dates of Records Start Date, enter the latest possible date (1835) in Dates of Records End Date.

Date Form
Enter the date in MM/DD/YYYY form.
If the day is unknown, enter the date in the MM/YYYY form.
If the month is unknown, enter the date in the YYYY form.
Do not use 00 as a month or day.