The series was created by the Commonwealth Investigation Service during the period 1916-1953.

It lists, in alphabetical order, those persons or organisations on whom dossiers were maintained.

Dossiers were usually commenced in relation to various matters, eg naturalization, internment, subversion, sabotage, espionage, etc. Most dossiers were allocated a single number with a 'C' prefix.

With the creation of the Australian Security Intelligence Oraganisation in 1949 some (but not all) CIS functions were taken over by that agency.

Some dossiers passed to ASIO control and others remained with the CIS. In the period since 1949 many dossiers have been renumbered (by ASIO or other agencies) whilst others have been destroyed as the relevant person or organisation was no longer subject to investigation.

The index is a control record to the following series - however, reference to a file in CRS A368 is by no means an asssurance that the item still exists:

CRS A367, Correspondence files, single number series with year prefix, 1916-1927, and 'C' prefix;
CRS A369, Correspondence files D series;
CRS A1533, Correspondence files, annual single number series;
CRS A7919, Prisoner of War files; and
CP 573/2, General Correspondence 'WP' series 1939-1949.

Controlled series unregistered

CP573/2 General correspondence 'WP' series, 1939-1949