ABSTRACT
This chapter investigates archival notions of authenticity in the context of digital archiving, examining the tightly regulated submission process that, through multiple iterations, has been in effect at the Danish National Archives since 2004, building on earlier experience as far back as 1972. The Danish National Archives pioneered a regulated format migration strategy that involves the mandatory conversion of data and records from government agencies to National Archives specifications. This strategy has been successful in providing a standardised submission process and normalised data collections leading to benefits in validation, monitoring for technological obsolescence and dissemination to users. However, as digital systems have increased in sophistication and interactivity, the National Archives’ format migration strategy has been less and less effective at preserving user interactivity and the richness of the metadata of the original records. Through discussion of the relationship between user interactivity and notions of authenticity, drawing on international archival practice and theories connected to both an absolute and relative conceptualisation of authenticity, the chapter argues for a system of parallel archiving, in which the Danish National Archives would preserve archival records and data in original and migrated formats.
