The National Archives Catalog

Variant Control Number

Mandatory Repeatable Data Type Authority Level Available A/V Only Public Element
No Yes Variable Character Length (240) None Collection
Series
File Unit
Item
No Yes

 

Definition:

The control number or identifier given to the archival materials either by the creator or by NARA.

Examples of variant control numbers include a NAIL control number, preliminary inventory entry numbers, XMIS numbers, PRESNET numbers, and accessioned microfilm identifiers.

 

Purpose: Allows users to retrieve the archival materials by any known control number.

 

Relationship: This element and Variant Control Number Type are dependent on each other. For each unique variant control number, Variant Control Number and Variant Control Number Type must both be included. To have Variant Control Number Note, both Variant Control Number and Variant Control Number Type must be created.

 

Guidance:

Enter the number exactly as it appears in the source documentation. Do not include notes or explanations in this element. If additional information is needed to clarify the variant control number, use Variant Control Number Note.

 

Indicate the type of number by using Variant Control Number Type.

Do not use for former record group numbers.

 

Examples:

 

Variant Control Number - A1 1077B
Variant Control Number Type - Master Location Register Number

 

Variant Control Number - NLC-1035
Variant Control Number Type - PRESNET Number

 

Variant Control Number - 104-10004-10266
Variant Control Number Type - Kennedy Assassination Document ID

 

Variant Control Number - MS 74-1094
Variant Control Number Type - NUCMC Number

 

Variant Control Number - 194
Variant Control Number Type - Inventory Identifier
Variant Control Number Note - Entry 194 is the entry number for this series found in "Preliminary Inventory of the Cartographic Records of the American Expeditionary Forces, 1917-21: (Record Group 120)" (PI 165).

 

Variant Control Number - PI66 181
Variant Control Number Type - Inventory Identifier
Variant Control Number Note - Entry 181 is the entry number for this series found in Preliminary Inventory 66, "Records of the Bureau of Plant Industry, Soils, and Agricultural Engineering."

 

Variant Control Number - PI17 7
Variant Control Number Type - Inventory Identifier


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