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Series details for: A5461
Series number
A5461
Title
Secret/Top Secret correspondence files, multiple number series (second system) (Washington)
Accumulation dates
01 Jan 1952 - 31 Dec 1953
Contents dates
04 Aug 1949 - 23 Jul 1969
Items in this series on RecordSearch
208

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Agency/person recording
  • 01 Jan 1952 - 31 Dec 1953
    CA 1817, Australian Embassy, Washington
Agency/person controlling
  • 24 Jul 1987 -
    CA 5987, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Central Office
Quantity and location
  • 3.78 metres held in ACT
System of arrangement/ control
Multiple number (with year(s) stamped on files and security classification prefix)
Range of control symbols
1/4/1 Part 1 to 635/1 Part 1 (with gaps)
Predominant physical format
PAPER FILES AND DOCUMENTS
Series note
This series contains all the Secret/Top Secret correspondence files for the Embassy from 1952 to 1953. When a piece of correspondence arrived in the Embassy that had a security classification of secret or higher, a new file on that subject was raised even if there was an unclassified file in existence.
 
The Secret/Top Secret files used the same primary headings from the standardized file system for overseas posts as the unclassified files but the allocation of secondary numbers was different. This resulted in there sometimes being two files (one classified, one unclassified) in the Embassy with the same number but different titles or the same title and different numbers.
 
The Secret/Top Secret files were regarded as a different file series from the unclassified files and were stored in a different area of the Embassy because of the need for security. Amongst the subject areas covered by the files are Political Intelligence, International Organizations (eg United Nations), Procurement of Military Equipment and International Treaties.
 
The files have a year(s) stamped on the cover and some of them have a prefix (S, SG, TS) denoting security classification. These were most probably added after the files were raised. The year stamp(s) give the date range of the file and, with the prefix, may have been added to assist staff in distinguishing between files with the same number or title but from different series.
 

Previous series
  • 01 Jan 1952
    A5460, Secret/Top Secret correspondence files, multiple number series (first system) (Washington)
Subsequent series
  • 01 Jan 1954
    A5462, Secret/Top Secret correspondence files, multiple number series (third system) (Washington)
Related series
  •  
    A3091, Lists of Washington files forwarded to the Department of External Affairs
  • 01 Jan 1952 - 31 Dec 1953
    A5459, Correspondence files, multiple number series (second system) (Washington)
Visibility & availability indicator
  • 75 . Detailed access examination required
  • 89 . Digital image charge: Small-Medium
Date registered
02 Oct 1987

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