Abstract

The accumulated governmental and administrative records of the defunct Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland (1953-1963) have been organized and preserved and are presently being held in the National Archives of Zimbabwe. The Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland was made up of the territories of Northern and Southern Rhodesia, and Nyasaland, known today respectively as Zambia, Zimbabwe and Malawi. The governments of Malawi and Zambia would like to have direct access to their archives and, jointly with Zimbabwe, have proposed their repatriation in film form. This project will provide training for staff members from the National Archives of Malawi, Zambia and Zimbabwe in the principles of micrographics and in the administration and operation of a micrographic production unit; and, will microfilm pages of the common records of the Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland, making copies available to the countries involved.

Post-Project Summary

Between March 1984 and June 1990, the National Archives of Zimbabwe microfilmed and transferred the archival records of the Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland to the national archives of Malawi, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. Despite purchase delays and the high turnover of staff, project objectives were met. Micrographic equipment was acquired that enabled the National Archives of Zimbabwe to process, catalogue, and microfilm three million pages of documents. Participants from Malawi and Zambia assisted with the project, and upon its completion equipment was given to each of these national archives.

Recipient Institution(s)