VPRS 15565 Subject Classification Headings, Multiple Number System

Full description

This series comprises a list of Subject Classification Headings created to control and retrieve files maintained by the Creswick Shire Council (VA658).
The list was originally registered as a file (16.13.1).

The correspondence files (VPRS 15564) were registered with a three part registration number. Each letter of the alphabet was allocated a single primary number (eg. A - 1, B - 2, C - 3, etc). Subjects commencing with each letter were allocated a sequential secondary number (eg. Abattoirs - 1.1, Accounts - 1.2, etc). The combination of both primary and secondary numbers defined all of the primary headings. A sequential tertiary numbers were used to indicate further breakdown of a subject creating a secondary heading of the file (eg. in file number 1.3.1, 1.3 defines primary heading: Advertisements, and tertiary number 1 - relates to the file secondary heading: Government Gazette).

The list of Subject Classification Headings is arranged in alphabetical order by primary headings which by default is also a sequential order of the multiple numbers used in this classification system. Number 17, whether by omission or intentionally was not used.

It appears that the new multi number system of files classification commenced around 1975. Previous files were top-numbered.

With time, as the original classification proved to be too limited, new secondary headings were added to the list as they were created.

Some files were registered according to the initial alphabetical structure but to facilitate the retrieval process, were listed under a different alphabetical classification according to commonly used terms. In such cases, a cross-reference to an allocated number was provided in the Index. For instance, file classified and allocated a number corresponding with the Town Planning group of files, was listed in the B section of the Index under Boating and provided relevant file number 20.3.1.